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
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