R.E.M.

Released: November 16, 1999

Songwriter: Peter Buck Mike Mills (R.E.M.) Michael Stipe

Producer: R.E.M. Pat McCarthy

[Verse 1]
I've watched the stars fall silent from your eyes
All the sights that I have seen
I can't believe that I believed
I wished that you could see
There's a new planet in the solar system
There is nothing up my sleeve

[Refrain]
I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs
I'm tossing up punch lines that were never there
Over my shoulder a piano falls
Crashing to the ground

[Verse 2]
In all this talk of time, talk is fine
But I don't want to stay around
Why can't we pantomime
Just close our eyes and sleep sweet dreams
Me and you with wings on our feet

[Refrain]
I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs
I'm tossing up punch lines that were never there
Over my shoulder a piano falls
Crashing to the ground

[Chorus]
I'm breaking through, I'm bending spoons
I'm keeping flowers in full bloom
I'm looking for answers from the great beyond

[Verse 3]
I want the humming birds, the dancing bears
Sweetest dreams of you
I look into the stars
I look into the moon

[Refrain]
I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs
I'm tossing up punch lines that were never there
Over my shoulder a piano falls
Crashing to the ground

[Chorus]
I'm breaking through, I'm bending spoons
I'm keeping flowers in full bloom
I'm looking for answers from the great beyond
I'm breaking through, I'm bending spoons
I'm keeping flowers in full bloom
I'm looking for answers from the great
Answers from the great
Answers
I'm breaking through, I'm bending spoons
I'm keeping flowers in full bloom
I'm looking for answers from the great beyond
I'm breaking through, I'm bending spoons
(Here's a little agit for the never-believer)
I'm keeping flowers in full bloom
(Here's a little ghost for the offering)
I'm looking for answers from the great
Answers from the great
Answers

[Outro]
I'm breaking through, I'm bending spoons
I'm keeping flowers in full bloom
I'm looking for answers from the great beyond

R.E.M. were an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry.

Berry quit the band in April 1997, as they were getting together to record demos for the album Up. He was not replaced on a permanent basis, but the band used an assortment of drummers in his place.

more tracks from the album

In Time - The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003

From the albums

Man on the Moon (Music from the Motion Picture) (1999)
Totally Hits 2 (2000)
In Time - The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003 (2003)
Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982-2011 (2011)
Complete Rarities: Warner Bros. 1988–2011 (2014)

R.E.M. popular songs

The Great BeyondR.E.M.

R.E.M.

In Time - The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003