When Breathless Silence Becomes Your Only Solace | Try Not To Breathe | R.E.M.

Try Not to Breathe is a song by American alternative rock band R.E.M., released in 1996 on their album New Adventures in Hi-Fi. The song's lyrics are often interpreted as a reflection on the fragility of human relationships, particularly those that have ended.

The song's title, "Try Not to Breathe," may seem ominous or even threatening at first glance, but its meaning is actually more introspective. According to Michael Stipe, the band's lead vocalist and lyricist, the phrase is meant to evoke the feeling of being unable to catch your breath after a intense emotional experience – in this case, the end of a relationship. The lyrics describe a sense of numbness and disconnection, as if one's emotional lifeblood has been drained away.

The song's chorus, "Try not to breathe / Try not to think", becomes a sort of mantra, emphasizing the idea that when we're struggling to cope with loss or heartache, our minds and bodies can feel paralyzed. The repetition of these phrases creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the speaker is urging themselves to stop feeling or thinking altogether.

In many ways, "Try Not to Breathe" is a quintessential R.E.M. song – it's atmospheric, introspective, and features the band's signature blend of jangly guitars and melancholic vocals. The song has become a fan favorite over the years, and its themes of love, loss, and longing continue to resonate with listeners today.