Departure
R.E.M. · New Adventures In Hi-Fi
Salt Lake City, come in spring over the salt flats.
A hailstorm brought you back to me.
Salt Lake City, come in spring over the salt flats.
A hailstorm brought you back to me.
Here it comes (I'm carried away)
Here it comes (I'm carried away)
Here it comes, bad.
Departure, godspeed, bless his heart, good lord.
What a fuck-up, what a fighter.
Free-fall, motorcycle, hang-glider,
Hung on the line like a poison spider.
Win a eulogy from William Greider,
car crash, ptomaine, disposable lighter,
a bus plunge, avalanche, RV, vinegar cider.
Free-fall, motorcycle, hang-glider.
Here it comes (I'm carried away)
Here it comes (I'm carried away)
Here it comes, bad.
Go, go, go, go, yeah.
Well, everybody is young forever.
There's so much to tell you, so little time.
I've come a long way since, uh, whatever,
shit, I still see that word and think of you.
There is so much that I can't do, yeah.
You will be young forever.
There is so much that I can't do.
There is so much that I can't do.
Here it comes (I'm carried away)
Here it comes (I'm carried away)
Here it comes, bad.
Departure
Departure stands as a defining track from R.E.M.'s 1996 album New Adventures In Hi-Fi, marking a significant shift in the band's sonic landscape. Following the commercial success of their previous era, this recording showcases the group's willingness to embrace a more textured, layered sound that blends alternative rock with subtle experimental elements. The song reflects the band's evolving songwriting approach during the mid-1990s, characterized by intricate guitar work and a dynamic rhythm section that drives the composition forward. As part of a critically acclaimed body of work, Departure highlights the group's ability to balance introspection with energetic performance. It remains a notable song in their extensive discography, illustrating their continued influence on the alternative genre and their capacity to craft enduring music that resonates with listeners across decades.