Released: April 12, 1983

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

Producer: Mitch Easter Don Dixon

[Intro]
Steady repetition is a compulsion mutually reinforced
Now what does that mean?
Is there a just contradiction? Nothing much
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord to hesitate

[Verse 1]
Got to punch
Right on target
Twisting tongues
Got a stripe
Down his back
All nine yards
Down her back

[Chorus]
Give me a couple
Don't give me a couple of pointers
Turn to lies and conversation fear

[Verse 2]
Got to punch
Right on target
Twisting tongues
Got a stripe
Down his back
All nine yards
Down her back

[Chorus]
Give me a couple
Don't give me a couple of pointers
Turn to lies and conversation
What is in my mind?
What is in my mind?
What is in my mind?

[Intro]
Steady repetition is a compulsion mutually reinforced
Now what does that mean?
Is there a just contradiction? Nothing much
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord to hesitate
Hesitate

[Verse 3]
Got to punch
Right on target
Twist his tongue
He's got a stripe
Down her back
All nine yards
Down his back

[Chorus]
Give me a couple
Don't give me a couple of pointers
Turn to lies and conversation fear

[Outro]
Conversation fear
Conversation fear
Conversation fear

R.E.M.

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.