Laughing

Song available on Murmur.

Laocoon and her two sons
Pressured storm, tried to move
No other more, emotion bound
Martyred, misconstrued

Lighted in a room, lanky room
Lighted, lighted, laughing in tune
Lighted, lighted, laughing

Laocoon and her two sons
Run the gamut, sated view
Know them more, emotion bound
Martyred, misconstrued

Lighted in a room, lanky room
Lighted, lighted, laughing in tune
Lighted, lighted, laughing

In a room, lock the door, latch the room
Lighted, lighted, laughing

Laocoon and her two sons
Ran the gamut, settled new,
Find a place fit to laugh,
Lock the doors, latch the room
Lighted in a room, lanky room
Lighted, lighted, laughing in tune
Lighted, lighted, laughing in tune
Lighted, lighted, laughing in tunes
Lighted, lighted, laughing in tunes


The first line is about Laocoon, a frak mythological figure who had two sons. All three were devoured by serpents. It was a popular theme in Renaissance painting. There's also John Barth's novel End of The Road, where a statue of Laocoon features heavily. Oh, I did change the gender on the song from a man to a woman.
Michael Stipe

Quotes collected from 'R.E.M. - In Their Own Words' by Peter Hogan

Lyrics are based on fans interpretations and are not official.

All R.E.M. originals written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe.

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