The meaning of It'S The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) by R E M

"It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" is a song by alternative rock band R.E.M., released in 1987 on their fifth studio album, "Document". The song was written by the band's lead vocalist Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry.

The lyrics of the song are often cryptic and open to interpretation, but they seem to describe a sense of apocalypse or catastrophic change. The song's opening lines, "This is the end / My only friend, the end," set the tone for a song that explores themes of chaos, destruction, and transformation. Throughout the song, Stipe repeats the phrase "It's the end of the world as we know it" like a mantra, emphasizing the idea that the familiar world is collapsing.

Despite the apocalyptic imagery, the song has a remarkably upbeat melody and tempo, with Buck's jangly guitar work and Berry's driving drums creating a sense of energy and momentum. This juxtaposition of dark lyrics and bright music gives the song its signature tension and release.

The song has been interpreted in many ways over the years, with some listeners seeing it as a commentary on the chaos of the late 1980s - a time marked by political upheaval, economic uncertainty, and social change. Others have seen it as a reflection of the band's own personal struggles and transformations during that period.

Regardless of interpretation, "It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" remains one of R.E.M.'s most beloved and enduring songs, a testament to the band's ability to craft music that is both accessible and intellectually challenging.