Errm, nice song, but what does it mean?
Adam Richards
listening to the song "Man on the Moon", when I had a sudden thought:
I've heard this song - in various different versions - probably a
hundred times, but what do the lyrics actually mean?
I thought once it might've been about AIDS, but now I get the idea
that was just reading too much into it. Maybe it's about the Bible
belt, what with all the references to Darwin, etc. Dunno.
Anyway, what I wanna know is, has Stipe or anyone else from the band
stated what the song is about? Any answers would be appreciated, ta.
======================================================
Adam Richards Ad...@roblang.demon.co.uk
Persi
says...
>Anyway, what I wanna know is, has Stipe or anyone else from the band
>stated what the song is about? Any answers would be appreciated, ta.
The song is about the late comedian Andy Kaufman. The Movie about is life, 'Man
On The Moon' starring Jim Carey and Courtney Love is out this Christmas
(directed my Milos Forman).
--
On My Stereo: The Orb - Orblivion
Adam Richards
>In article <37d0181b...@news.demon.co.uk>, Ad...@roblang.demon.co.uk
>says...
>
>>Anyway, what I wanna know is, has Stipe or anyone else from the band
>>stated what the song is about? Any answers would be appreciated, ta.
>
>The song is about the late comedian Andy Kaufman. The Movie about is life, 'Man
>On The Moon' starring Jim Carey and Courtney Love is out this Christmas
>(directed my Milos Forman).
That's weird. I knew Kauffman figured heavily in the lyrics,
obviously, but where does "If you believe they put a man on the moon"
come into it? Kauffman seems to be a passerby in the song, so I
thought it must've been about something else and he was just a guest
star....
I was hoping someone would explain what the words refer to, e.g.
"Egypt was troubled by the horrible asp / Mr. Charles Darwin had the
balls to ask", etc. I like the song, but Stipe's cleverness is it's
undoing, IMHO!
======================================================
Adam Richards Ad...@roblang.demon.co.uk
Andrew Gambier
<cow...@earthlink.net> writes
>The song is about the late comedian Andy Kaufman. The Movie about is life, 'Man
>On The Moon' starring Jim Carey and Courtney Love is out this Christmas
>(directed my Milos Forman).
>
I saw a clip of Kaufman on Biography (or summat) recently... he was
doing a standup routine and was reading at length from "The Great
Gatsby". At first the audience was laughing but eventually they got
tired and restless. But he kept going! And then he goes... OK you're
bored, how about a record instead? The audience votes for the record,
which turns out to be... a recording of him reading "The Great Gatsby"!
A friend of mine saw the film by chance in San Francisco (it was one of
those audience taste test things) and gave it thumbs up.
--
andrew
Todd Cooper
about him coming out this autumn in the US called, imaginatively, Man on the
Moon, I believe. From what I've heard this guy was a little eccentric. Jim
Carrey will be playing Kaufman. Evidently Kaufman was a fairly original
comic on the popular US show Saturday Night Live and also played a part in
the TV show Taxi. Not sure what he died of.
Todd
Adam Richards <Ad...@roblang.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:37d0181b...@news.demon.co.uk...
> I was recording REM at Glastonbury on tape for a friend last night,
> listening to the song "Man on the Moon", when I had a sudden thought:
> I've heard this song - in various different versions - probably a
> hundred times, but what do the lyrics actually mean?
>
> I thought once it might've been about AIDS, but now I get the idea
> that was just reading too much into it. Maybe it's about the Bible
> belt, what with all the references to Darwin, etc. Dunno.
>
> Anyway, what I wanna know is, has Stipe or anyone else from the band
> stated what the song is about? Any answers would be appreciated, ta.
>
> ======================================================
> Adam Richards Ad...@roblang.demon.co.uk
Robyn Wilder
Tsk. Sometimes I'm so literal.
Robyn
http://come.to/brainfudge
*Take me home, let's make happy in your basket*
One Eyed Undertaker
It's about some comedian guy, Andy something. He did Elvis impersoniations
and I think he was in that sit-com "Taxi".
Apparently he was Elvis' favourite Elvis impersonator, which is impressive
anyway he's dead now,
As far as I know there's a film being made about his life which will be
called "Man on the Moon", Stipe is apparently working on the soundtrack
for it....(quelle suprise)
So now you know.
On Mon, 30 Aug 1999, Adam Richards wrote:
> I was recording REM at Glastonbury on tape for a friend last night,
> listening to the song "Man on the Moon", when I had a sudden thought:
> I've heard this song - in various different versions - probably a
> hundred times, but what do the lyrics actually mean?
>
> I thought once it might've been about AIDS, but now I get the idea
> that was just reading too much into it. Maybe it's about the Bible
> belt, what with all the references to Darwin, etc. Dunno.
>
> Anyway, what I wanna know is, has Stipe or anyone else from the band
> stated what the song is about? Any answers would be appreciated, ta.
>
> ======================================================
> Adam Richards Ad...@roblang.demon.co.uk
>
>
S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I don't see ya no more in this world, I'll meet ya in the next one so
don't be late.
Bryan
>
>It's about some comedian guy, Andy something. He did Elvis impersoniations
>and I think he was in that sit-com "Taxi".
Andy Kauffman.
>
One Eyed Undertaker
That's the feller, been drivin me mad tryin' to remember that, Cheers
mate.
david Worth
Eyed Undertaker <mcc...@alf2.tcd.ie> writes
>
>It's about some comedian guy, Andy something. He did Elvis impersoniations
>and I think he was in that sit-com "Taxi".
>anyway he's dead now,
>As far as I know there's a film being made about his life which will be
>called "Man on the Moon", Stipe is apparently working on the soundtrack
>for it....(quelle suprise)
>
>So now you know.
>
>On Mon, 30 Aug 1999, Adam Richards wrote:
>
>> I was recording REM at Glastonbury on tape for a friend last night,
>> listening to the song "Man on the Moon", when I had a sudden thought:
>> I've heard this song - in various different versions - probably a
>> hundred times, but what do the lyrics actually mean?
>>
>> I thought once it might've been about AIDS, but now I get the idea
>> that was just reading too much into it. Maybe it's about the Bible
>> belt, what with all the references to Darwin, etc. Dunno.
>>
>> Anyway, what I wanna know is, has Stipe or anyone else from the band
>> stated what the song is about? Any answers would be appreciated, ta.
>>
>> ======================================================
>> Adam Richards Ad...@roblang.demon.co.uk
>>
>>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>If I don't see ya no more in this world, I'll meet ya in the next one so
>don't be late.
>
>
Isn't this about Andy Kaupfmann, the US comedian? As I
understand it he appeared in 'Taxi' but thought it was 'below his
talent'. I seem to recall he used to do a routine about American
wrestling that was somewhat derogatory. and as a consequence one of the
American wrestlers 'invited him into the ring'. (Jesse Ventura?) Said
wrestler , as I understand it then proceeded to (as the our US friends
would say) 'beat the crap out of him'. He got a bit quieter after that
and died not long after.
--
david Worth
Adam Richards
<da...@Worth3.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>Ermm..
> Isn't this about Andy Kaupfmann, the US comedian? As I
>understand it he appeared in 'Taxi' but thought it was 'below his
>talent'. I seem to recall he used to do a routine about American
>wrestling that was somewhat derogatory.
Yep, it was on "Saturday Night Live".
>and as a consequence one of the
>American wrestlers 'invited him into the ring'. (Jesse Ventura?) Said
>wrestler , as I understand it then proceeded to (as the our US friends
>would say) 'beat the crap out of him'.
I remember that very vividly. It was shown on "SNL". I rememeber the
last shot was Kaufmann lying on the mat, his face was covered in blood
and he wasn't moving. That was the last we saw of him on the show
IIRC.
But I always thought that scene was faked, i.e., part of the act or a
publicity stunt. Are you telling me it was genuine???
>He got a bit quieter after that and died not long after.
Anybody know what he died of??
======================================================
Adam Richards Ad...@roblang.demon.co.uk
skwunge
Richards) wrote:
> ... I remember the
>last shot was Kaufmann lying on the mat, his face was covered in blood
>and he wasn't moving. That was the last we saw of him on the show
>IIRC.
>
>But I always thought that scene was faked, i.e., part of the act or a
>publicity stunt. Are you telling me it was genuine???
>
>>He got a bit quieter after that and died not long after.
>
>Anybody know what he died of??
He died of lung cancer (this according to the IMDB web site but I do
recall it was something unrelated to his wrestling exploits).
As to whether his wrestling injuries were genuine or not, there's a
documentary about him in which many of his friends say that even they
don't know whether his wrestling exploits were real or some sort of
shtick, up to and including the injuries.
Most of his comedy was predicated on blurring the line separating the
joke from the real. The Latka character he ended up playing on Taxi
began in his standup routine: he'd come out (billed as Latka
Whatsisname) and clumsily tell awful jokes in that high-pitched voice
with the indeterminate accent, becoming more and more flustered and
frightened by the audience's laughter, until finally the audience
wasn't sure whether to laugh anymore or weep in sympathy.
He had another character for standup who was an old Las Vegas-style
comedian--tuxedo, cigar, the whole shot. Vic somebody. Once showbiz
people got used to the idea that this comic was in fact Andy Kaufman
in makeup and sunglasses, Kaufman got someone else to go around being
the guy, so even the people who thought they were in on the joke no
longer were... He planted hecklers in the crowd to sabotage his
act--so that the sabotage *was* the act--etc...
Going back to the original topic of this thread, I don't know if I
think the song is as much *about* Kaufman as it is using him as a
reference point for this blurring of reality and irreality. It's a
song about figuring out what to believe (at least that's what I've
figured out I believe... )
The first verse mostly lists kids' games then ends with a wisecrack
about heaven. The second refers to Moses, Newton, Egypt, and Darwin,
I take it to conjure up systems of belief (faith, science, myth,
history, etc.) and also the opposing systems each either represses or
overturns. The last (the truck stop instead of Saint Peter's) seems
to be about placing faith in the everyday rather than in systems,
gods, etc.
As to the Man on the Moon thing, there's a strain of conspiracy theory
that was particularly strong in the States in the 70s (the period of
time the kids' games evoke for me at least) that held that all the
moon landings were a hoax perpetrated by the gummint...
Anyway, Andy Kaufman sort of fits into all that
is-it-a-trick-or-isn't-it sort of stuff.
(I'm not sure frankly about how well it hangs together to support
close reading, but it's certainly evocative when listened to, which
I'll venture is Stipe's lyrical strength and weakness in general.
Then again, these *are* just poptoons and ought only to feel right
while they're happening...)
Anyway, sorry this post is so long and earnest-toned. Time for
morning coffee. Rick
Adam Richards
wrote:
>On Sun, 12 Sep 1999 03:30:02 GMT, Ad...@roblang.demon.co.uk (Adam
>Richards) wrote:
>
>> ... I remember the
>>last shot was Kaufmann lying on the mat, his face was covered in blood
>>and he wasn't moving. That was the last we saw of him on the show
>>IIRC.
>>
>>But I always thought that scene was faked, i.e., part of the act or a
>>publicity stunt. Are you telling me it was genuine???
>As to whether his wrestling injuries were genuine or not, there's a
>documentary about him in which many of his friends say that even they
>don't know whether his wrestling exploits were real or some sort of
>shtick, up to and including the injuries.
Thinking about it now, it was a bit scary the way "SNL" showed it. You
could not see his face at all, because of the blood. It was on a TV
screen and either the rest of the SNL cast or one of them was
watching or commentating on it; they seemed very shocked by it. The
one thing about it I didn't like was the end of it; there was no more
to it after that. There was no "It's ok, he's alright" reassurance.
At the time I was suspicious though, knowing all the hoaxes that show
pulled. I hope it was a hoax, anyway. It'd make me feel pretty sick
about it now if it wasn't...
>Most of his comedy was predicated on blurring the line separating the
>joke from the real. The Latka character he ended up playing on Taxi
>began in his standup routine:
Sadly, I was never that impressed by Kaufman as a comedian. IMHO, he
seemed to be one of those I call "twilight people" like Steve Martin,
who was a sort of false, unhappy enigma. You couldn't tell where the
act ended and the person began (unlike, say, Robin Williams - with him
it's obvious what's real and what's not). People like that tend to
un-nerve me, rather than make me want to laugh. Still, I recognise
that he did have something special about him.
>Going back to the original topic of this thread, I don't know if I
>think the song is as much *about* Kaufman as it is using him as a
>reference point for this blurring of reality and irreality. It's a
>song about figuring out what to believe (at least that's what I've
>figured out I believe... )
That was my take on it - especially with the references to Darwin,
etc. I just wonder who "his sleeve" belongs to??? It seems as if the
Kaufman/Darwin/Moonlanding/etc. stuff is a springboard, and Stipe's
actually using this to comment on a completely different situation....
My, aren't I getting terribly anal about all this? :-)
>The first verse mostly lists kids' games then ends with a wisecrack
>about heaven. The second refers to Moses, Newton, Egypt, and Darwin,
>I take it to conjure up systems of belief (faith, science, myth,
>history, etc.) and also the opposing systems each either represses or
>overturns. The last (the truck stop instead of Saint Peter's) seems
>to be about placing faith in the everyday rather than in systems,
>gods, etc.
makes sense, yeah.
>As to the Man on the Moon thing, there's a strain of conspiracy theory
>that was particularly strong in the States in the 70s (the period of
>time the kids' games evoke for me at least) that held that all the
>moon landings were a hoax perpetrated by the gummint...
Thanks for elaborating on that bit - Everybody knows about that idea:
that the moonlanding was all a hoax (not one I subscribe to as it
happens - I believe they *did* put a man on the moon!), but I didn't
connect it to the song in that way somehow.
>Anyway, Andy Kaufman sort of fits into all that
>is-it-a-trick-or-isn't-it sort of stuff.
Yep - I see it all so clearly now!
>(I'm not sure frankly about how well it hangs together to support
>close reading, but it's certainly evocative when listened to,
I think it's one of their better songs - but then I'm no judge; I'm
not a great REM fan (I couldn't name more than 3 of their albums, or
tell you who any of the band members' are besides Stipe and Peter
Buck, for instance), I just always like lyrics you can really deve
into. My fave band are Kitchens of Distinction, actually.
>which I'll venture is Stipe's lyrical strength and weakness in general.
He can be awfully pithy and po-faced sometimes, but if this song
proves anything it's that he's got definite talent for lyrics.
Another of their's which fascinated me was "Losing My Religion". This
one to me isn't about losing faith in god; it's about a performer
afraid of becoming burned out and unable to keep up with his rabidly
appreciative audience when doing a live show. Sort of what happened to
Kurt Cobain: "I'm trying to keep up with you and I don't know if I can
do it / That's me in the spotlight, losing my religion"
>Then again, these *are* just poptoons and ought only to feel right
>while they're happening...)
Hey, it's only schmindie, but I love it!
>Anyway, sorry this post is so long and earnest-toned. Time for
>morning coffee.
Thanks, Rick. Great post!
Cheers.
======================================================
Adam Richards Ad...@roblang.demon.co.uk
skwunge
Richards) wrote:
>Another of theirs which fascinated me was "Losing My Religion". This
>one to me isn't about losing faith in god; it's about a performer
>afraid of becoming burned out and unable to keep up with his rabidly
>appreciative audience when doing a live show. Sort of what happened to
>Kurt Cobain: "I'm trying to keep up with you and I don't know if I can
>do it / That's me in the spotlight, losing my religion"
You may already know this (I heard it so much at the time I figured it
was part of some press packet attached to everyone's copy of the song)
but apparently the phrase "losing my religion" has nothing to do with
faith and is just a southern US colloquialism for being at wit's end.
Like asking a waitress how it's going on a busy night & she says "I'm
losing my religion out here". Not that the song's video was
particularly secular...
It's funny--I heard this song even before I'd heard any speculation
about Stipe's sexuality (part of the press packet for all their
subsequent releases, I think) and I read so much of myself into it I
figured there was no way he couldn't be gay. I figured it was about
having a crush on a straight guy and simultaneously trying to come out
& come on to him without losing him as a friend. "Oh no I've said too
much, I haven't said enough" "Consider this: hint of the century"
"What if all these fantasies come flailing around" etc. Guess what I
was up to at the time? :)
Then a housemate began singing at dinnertime
That's me in the kitchen
That's me in the pan-try
Choosing my provisions
Trying to cook enough for three
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no I've made too much
I haven't made enough
which took the spell off it somewhat.
Not that I'm a complete REMhead. I'm one of those who liked them
better back before you could even make out any of the words... Their
earlier, mumblier songs...
Sorry to the group if this ought to have gone to email (it's music but
it's neither uk nor alternative--but, really, how bad is one out of
three after all? ... hm. now I fear you'll answer ... ) Take care.
Rick
Adam Richards
wrote:
>Sorry to the group if this ought to have gone to email (it's music but
>it's neither uk nor alternative--but, really, how bad is one out of
>three after all? ...
It's OK, I originally introduced the question as an aside to "taping
Glastonbury Festival stuff for a friend". But I'm sorry too, if
anyone's that bothered about it! :-)
======================================================
Adam Richards Ad...@roblang.demon.co.uk
Jyoti Mishra
>On Mon, 13 Sep 1999 02:45:02 GMT, skw...@ix.netcom.com (skwunge)
>wrote:
>
>>Sorry to the group if this ought to have gone to email (it's music but
>>it's neither uk nor alternative--but, really, how bad is one out of
>>three after all? ...
>
>It's OK, I originally introduced the question as an aside to "taping
>Glastonbury Festival stuff for a friend". But I'm sorry too, if
>anyone's that bothered about it! :-)
I really enjoyed the discussion. Some of the best that's been on ukma
in ages,
love and kisses,
Jyoti