I Wanted To Be Wrong

by R.E.M.

From the album: Around the Sun

Track 6 of 13 on Around the Sun (2004).

Duration: 04:35

Around the Sun cover art

Lyrics for I Wanted To Be Wrong

You know where I come from You know what I feel You're Yul Brenner Westworld Reporting from the field. I threw it into reverse, Made a motion to repeal. You kicked my legs from under me, And tried to take the wheel. I told you I wanted to be wrong, But everyone is humming a song That I don't understand. Now I know that the sun has shined on my side of the street. The basket of America, the weevils and the wheat. The milk and honeyed congregation, scrubbed and apple-cheeked Salute Apollo 13 from the rattle jewelry seats. Mythology's seductive and it turned a trick on me That I have just begun to understand. I told you I wanted to be wrong, But everyone is humming a song That I don't understand. The rodeo is staged, gold circle goat-ropers and clowns. A rumble in the third act, tie 'em up and burn 'em down. We're armed to the teeth, born a little breech; Blue-plate special analysts, cells and SUV's We can't approach the Allies 'cause they seem a little peeved And speak a language we don't understand. I told you I wanted to be wrong But everyone is humming a song That I don't understand. (Prop up The Omega Man, we're primed for victory, God gave us the upper hand, there's honor among thieves. Temper it with arrogance, a dash of sad conceit. The top's down on the T-Bird, we're the children of the free) Storm into the boardroom of the conquering elite. Did you recognize the madman who is shouting in the streets? Destroy the things that I don't understand Destroy the things that I don't understand.

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More from Around the Sun

  1. Leaving New York
  2. Electron Blue
  3. The Outsiders
  4. Make It All Okay
  5. Final Straw
  6. I Wanted To Be Wrong
  7. Wanderlust
  8. Boy In The Well
  9. Aftermath
  10. High Speed Train
  11. The Worst Joke Ever
  12. The Ascent Of Man
  13. Around The Sun