What's the Frequency Kenneth? - R.E.M.

What's the Frequency Kenneth

 

This song has one of the weirdest back stories of all time. With Dan Rather getting a beat down back in the 80's! He recovered fortunately=^.^=

 

[Verse 1]

"What's the frequency, Kenneth?" is your Benzedrine, uh-huh

I was brain-dead, locked out, numb, not up to speed

I thought I'd pegged you an idiot's dream

Tunnel vision from the outsider's screen

 

[Chorus]

I never understood the frequency, uh-huh

You wore our expectations like an armored suit, uh-huh

 

[Verse 2]

I'd studied your cartoons, radio, music, TV, movies, magazines

Richard said, "Withdrawal in disgust is not the same as apathy"

A smile like the cartoon, tooth for a tooth

You said that irony was the shackles of youth

 

[Chorus]

You wore a shirt of violent green, uh-huh

I never understood the frequency, uh-huh

 

[Guitar Solo]

 

[Verse 3]

"What's the frequency, Kenneth?" is your Benzedrine, uh-huh

Butterfly decal, rear-view mirror, dogging the scene

You smile like the cartoon, tooth for a tooth

You said that irony was the shackles of youth

 

[Chorus]

You wore a shirt of violent green, uh-huh

I never understood the frequency, uh-huh

You wore our expectations like an armored suit, uh-huh

I couldn't understand

You said that irony was the shackles of youth, uh-huh

I couldn't understand

You wore a shirt of violent green, uh-huh

I couldn't understand

I never understood, don't fuck with me, uh-huh

 

Producers: R.E.M. & Scott Litt

Writers: Peter Buck, Bill Berry, Mike Mills & Michael Stipe

Mastering Engineer: Stephen Marcussen

Engineer: Pat McCarthy

Drums: Bill Berry

Guitar: Peter Buck

Bass: Mike Mills

Vocals: Michael Stipe

Recorded At: Kingsway Studio

Release Date: September 5, 1994

 

 

Done