R.E.M. : What's The Frequency, Kenneth?

Lyrics for the R.E.M. song "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" from their "Monster" album. Feel free to browse the rest of our R.E.M. lyrics here, or download the rest of our Monster lyrics.

Band: R.E.M.
Album: Monster
Song: What's The Frequency, Kenneth?

(berry/buck/mills/stipe)



"what's the frequency, kenneth?" is your benzedrine, uh-huh
I was brain-dead, locked out, numb, not up to speed
I thought i'd pegged you an idiot's dream
Tunnel vision from the outsider's screen
I never understood the frequency, uh-huh
You wore our expectations like an armored suit, uh-huh

I'd studied your cartoons, radio, music, tv, movies, magazines
Richard said, "withdrawal in disgust is not the same as apathy"
A smile like the cartoon, tooth for a tooth
You said that irony was the shackles of youth
You wore a shirt of violent green, uh-huh
I never understood the frequency, uh-huh

"what's the frequency, kenneth?" is your benzedrine, uh-huh
Butterfly decal, rearview mirror, dogging the scene
You smile like the cartoon, tooth for a tooth
You said that irony was the shackles of youth
You wore a shirt of violent green, uh-huh
I never understood the frequency, uh-huh
You wore our expectations like an armored suit, uh-huh
I couldn't understand
You said that irony was the shackles of youth, uh-huh
I couldn't understand
You wore a shirt of violent green, uh-huh
I couldn't understand
I never understood, don't fuck with me, uh-huh