Man On The Moon
R.E.M. · Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage - 1982 - 2011 [2011]
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Andy Kaufman in the wrestling match
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Monopoly, Twenty-One, Checkers and Chess
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Mr. Fred Blassie in a breakfast mess
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Let's play Twister, let's play Risk
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'll see you heaven if you make the list
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Now Andy did you hear about this one?
Tell me, are you locked in the punch?
Andy are you goofin' on Elvis (hey, baby)
Are we losing touch?
If you believed they put a man on the moon
Man on the moon
If you believed, there's nothing up his sleeve
Then nothing is cool
Moses went walking with the staff of wood
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Newton got beaned by the apple good
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Egypt was troubled by the horrible asp
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Mr. Charles Darwin had the gall to ask
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Now Andy did you hear about this one?
Tell me, are you locked in the punch?
Andy are you goofin' on Elvis (hey, baby)
Are you having fun?
If you believed they put a man on the moon
Man on the moon
If you believed there's nothing up his sleeve
Then nothing is cool
Here's a little agit for the never-believer
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Here's a little ghost for the offering
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Here's a truck stop instead of Saint Peter's
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Mr. Andy Kaufman's gone wrestling (wrestling)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Now Andy did you hear about this one?
Tell me, are you locked in the punch?
Andy are you goofing on Elvis (hey, baby)
Are we losing touch?
If you believed they put a man on the moon
Man on the moon (man on the, man on the moon)
If you believed there's nothing up his sleeve
Then nothing is cool
(Repeat....)
Man On The Moon
R.E.M.'s "Man On The Moon" stands as a defining track from their 1992 album, Automatic for the People. The song reflects the band's shift toward a more introspective and melancholic sound during this era, moving away from the alternative rock dominance of their previous years. Michael Stipe's enigmatic vocal delivery complements the song's atmospheric arrangement, which features a distinctive bass line and layered guitars. The recording captures the group's ability to blend poetic ambiguity with accessible melodies, a hallmark of their mature discography. While the title references the famous astronaut, the composition explores themes of celebrity and isolation without relying on literal interpretation. This work remains a significant song in the band's extensive catalogue, showcasing their evolution into a more sophisticated and emotionally resonant act.