Released: June 10, 1985
Songwriter: Mike Mills (R.E.M.) Peter Buck Bill Berry Michael Stipe
Producer: Joe Boyd
[Verse 1]
When the world is a monster
Bad to swallow you whole
Kick the clay that holds the teeth in
Throw your trolls out the door
If you're needing inspiration
Philomath is where I go by dawn
Lawyer Jeff, he knows the lowdown
He's mighty bad to visit home
[Chorus]
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
[Verse 2]
When your hands are feeling empty
Stick head jumping off the ground, ground
Tris is sure to shirr the deer out
Brother Ray can sing my song
[Chorus]
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here, here, here
(I've been there, I know the way)
[Bridge]
Hands down, Calechee bound
Landlocked, kiss the ground
Dirt of seven continents going 'round and 'round
Go on ahead, Mr. Citywide, hypnotized, suit-and-tied
Gentlemen, testify
[Verse 3]
If your world is a monster
Bad to swallow you whole
Philomath, they know the lowdown
Throw your trolls out the door
[Chorus]
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
[Outro]
Hmm... thank you, Ray
When the world is a monster
Bad to swallow you whole
Kick the clay that holds the teeth in
Throw your trolls out the door
If you're needing inspiration
Philomath is where I go by dawn
Lawyer Jeff, he knows the lowdown
He's mighty bad to visit home
[Chorus]
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
[Verse 2]
When your hands are feeling empty
Stick head jumping off the ground, ground
Tris is sure to shirr the deer out
Brother Ray can sing my song
[Chorus]
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here, here, here
(I've been there, I know the way)
[Bridge]
Hands down, Calechee bound
Landlocked, kiss the ground
Dirt of seven continents going 'round and 'round
Go on ahead, Mr. Citywide, hypnotized, suit-and-tied
Gentlemen, testify
[Verse 3]
If your world is a monster
Bad to swallow you whole
Philomath, they know the lowdown
Throw your trolls out the door
[Chorus]
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
Can't get there from here
(I've been there, I know the way)
[Outro]
Hmm... thank you, Ray
Eponymous
- It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
- Finest Worksong (Mutual Drum Horn Mix)
- Radio Free Europe (Hib-Tone Single Version)
- Romance
- Fall on Me
- Cant Get There from Here
- Driver 8
- (Don’t Go Back to) Rockville
- So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)
- Talk About the Passion
- The One I Love
- Gardening at night - different vocal mix
- Fables of the Reconstruction (1985)
- Eponymous (1988)
- The Best of R.E.M. (1991)
- And I Feel Fine... The Best of the I.R.S. Years 1982–1987 (2006)
- Losing My Religion
- It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
- Man on the Moon
- Everybody Hurts
- Orange Crush
- The One I Love
- Nightswimming
- The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
- Shiny Happy People
- What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?
- Drive
- Imitation of Life
- Stand
- Find the River
- Radio Free Europe
- (Don’t Go Back to) Rockville
- E-Bow the Letter
- Country Feedback
- The Great Beyond
- Let Me In
- Fall on Me
- Try Not to Breathe
- So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)
- Ignoreland