Try Not To Breathe
R.E.M. · Automatic For The People
I can hold my head still with my hands at my knees
These are the eyes of the old
Shiver and fold
I will try not to breathe
This decision is mine
I have lived a full life
And these are the eyes that I want you to remember
I need something to fly over my grave again
I need something to breathe
I will try not to burden you
I can hold these inside
I will hold my breath
Until all these shivers subside
Just look in my eyes
I will try not to worry you
I have seen things that you will never see
Leave it to memory me
I shudder to breathe
I want you to remember (You will never see)
I need something to fly (Something to fly)
Over my grave again (You will never see)
I need something to breathe (Something to breathe)
Baby donÂ’t shiver now
Why do you shiver now? (I will see things you will never see)
I need something to fly (Something to fly)
Over my grave again (I will see things you will never see)
I need something to breathe
I will try not to worry you.
I have seen things you will never see
Leave it to memory me
DonÂ’t dare me to breathe
I want you to remember (You will never see)
I need something to fly (Something to fly)
Over my grave again (You will never see)
I need something to breathe (Something to breathe)
Baby donÂ’t shiver now
Why do you shiver now? (I will see things you will never see)
I need something to fly (Something to fly)
Over my grave again (I will see things you will never see)
I need something to breathe (Something to breathe - I have seen things you will never see)
I want you to remember
Try Not To Breathe
Released on the landmark 1992 album Automatic For The People, "Try Not To Breathe" stands as a defining track in R.E.M.'s evolution toward a more polished, radio-friendly sound. The song features the band's signature layered vocals and driving guitar work, marking a departure from their earlier shoegaze-influenced textures while retaining their signature melodic sensibility. It was a pivotal moment in their discography, helping to bridge the gap between their indie roots and mainstream commercial success. The track remains a staple of the album's enduring legacy, showcasing the band's ability to craft anthemic pop-rock that resonated deeply with audiences during the early 1990s. Its inclusion on Automatic For The People solidified the record as a modern classic, reflecting the group's maturity and artistic growth at a critical juncture in their career.