The lyrical meaning of this REM classic, the 5th track from COVER ME, has long been debated. Michael Stipe has said only enough about it to further fuel the debate. To me, this is a song about longing and obsession (fire!). The current relationships are the 'props' - it's someone else from the past that is really 'the one I love'. And the extra lyrics I use here in the third verse (from the song's background vocal line but rarely recognized as such) drive home the point - she will return to me, eventually. Hope you enjoy my interpretation - lyrically and musically!
