What's The Frequency, Kenneth?

R.E.M. · Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage - 1982 - 2011 [2011]

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

I never understood the frequency, uh-huh

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



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

You wore a shirt of violent green, uh-huh

I never understood the frequency, uh-huh



"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

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

What's The Frequency, Kenneth?

Released in 1982, this track stands as a defining moment in R.E.M.'s early career, marking their transition from the college rock scene to a more polished, radio-friendly sound. The song features a distinctive, upbeat melody and a memorable chorus that became an anthem for the band's evolving identity. It appears on the compilation Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage, which curated their work from the early 80s through 2011. While often associated with their later success, the recording reflects the band's experimental roots and their willingness to blend indie sensibilities with mainstream appeal. The track remains a staple of their discography, showcasing Peter Gabriel's influence on the vocal delivery and the band's knack for crafting infectious hooks that would characterize their subsequent albums.