Strange Currencies

Song available on Monster.

I don't know why you're mean to me
when I call on the telephone.
and I don't know what you mean to me
but I want to turn you on, turn you up, figure you out, I want to take you on

These words, "You will be mine."
These words, "You will be mine." all the time.

the fool might be my middle name
But I'd be foolish not to say
I'm going to make whatever it takes,
ring you up, call you down, sign your name, secret love,
make it rhyme, take you in, and make you mine.

These words, "You will be mine."
These words, "You will be mine." all the time. oh

I tripped and fell. did I fall.
What I want to feel, I want to feel it now

You know with love come strange currencies
and here is my appeal:

I need a chance, a second chance, a third chance, a fourth chance,
a word, a signal, a nod, a little breath
just to fool myself, to catch myself, to make it real, real

These words, "You will be mine"
These words, "You will be mine." all the time. oh

These words, "You will be mine."
These words, they haunt me, hunt me down, catch in my throat, make me pray,
say, love's confined, oh.


It's about when somebody actually thinks that through words they're going to be able to convince somebody that they are their one and only.
Michael Stipe 1994

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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I´m going exactly through this with a girl that has been hurt and is afraid to commit.
I´m prepared to do anything to get to her. But I dont want to do anything if in the end she doesnt want me to. I dont want her to be with me if that will make her unhappy.
That´s why I like the lyrics from the corrs "what can I do to make you love me". I would do anything except make her unhappy. And if in order to make her happy I have to cease pursuing her that is what I will do.


By sergio This is a really depressing song. I've never heard the "you sad, desperate idiot" message put across so convincingly. Falling for someone is illogical, especially when they do not fall for you in an identical fashion. It's not possible to get your feelings through to them because chances are they simply don't want to hear it - so you're forced to back off against your will. You cling to any scraps you can but it usually just has a detrimental effect. God knows why this is my favourite track on Monster. Sorry, Sergio.......


By Tim REM are my favourite band- I think that this song, is a tip of a hat (rather than a stale retrent) to Everybody hurts, Musically it seems to echoe a similar sentiment


By Neeve REM are my favourite band- I think that this song, is a tip of a hat (rather than a stale retrent) to Everybody hurts, Musically it seems to echoe a similar sentiment


By Neeve