470. "These Days" R.E.M.

"These Days"
R.E.M.
Lifes Rich Pageant
1986

"These Days" sounds like R.E.M. tried to make a "we are the new generation!" anthem, as timeworn a tradition in rock music as bloated double albums and hitting groupies with fish. But Michael Stipe just didn't have it in him to write lyrics that straightforward, so the rousing chorus includes the declaration "we are concern!"
I imagine Michael Stipe having this problem in daily life, not being able to communicate because his thoughts all come out in a manner that prizes evocation rather than clarity.
"Hey Michael, wanna go to the ballgame?"
"The lightbulb flickers, scoreboard fine! Everybody lines up in line, lightbulb oh!"
"So... yes?"