Michael Stipe
John Michael Stipe is an American singer who is the lead vocalist for the alternative rock band R.E.M.. Stipe has become well-known (and occasionally parodied) for the "mumbling" style of his early career and for his complex, surreal lyrics, as well as his social and political activism. Stipe is in charge of the band's visual image, often selecting album artwork and directing many of the band's music videos. Stipe's work extends outside of the music industry, and he runs his own film production companies, C-00 and Single Cell Pictures.
“Take what you see on TV, mix in a guy who's turned 30 and still doesn't have a job, throw in some Uncle Remus stories and add a few flies in amber and you have America.”
Michael Stipe
“When I was young and full of graceAnd spirited - a rattlesnakeWhen I was young and fever fellMy spirit, I will not tellYou're on your honor not to tellI believe in coyotes and time as an abstractExplain the change, the difference betweenWhat you want and what you need, there's the key,Your adventure for today, what do you doBetween the horns of the day?(chorus)I believe my shirt is wearing thinAnd change is what I believe inWhen I was young and give and takeAnd foolish said my fool awakeWhen I was young and fever fellMy spirit, I will not tellYou're on your honor, on your honorTrust in your calling, make sure your calling's trueThink of others, the others think of youSilly rule golden words make, practice, practice makes perfect,Perfect is a fault, and fault lines changeI believe my humor's wearing thinAnd change is what I believe inI believe my shirt is wearing thinAnd change is what I believe in(repeat chorus)When I was young and full of graceAs spirited a rattlesnakeWhen I was young and fever fellMy spirit, I will not tellYou're on your honor, on your honorI believe in exampleI believe my throat hurtsExample is the checker to the keyI believe my humor's wearing thinAnd I believe the poles are shifting”
Michael Stipe
“I'm not homosexual, I'm not heterosexual, I'm just sexual.”
Michael Stipe
“I've always felt that sexuality is a really slippery thing. In this day and age, it tends to get categorized and labeled, and I think labels are for food. Canned food.”
Michael Stipe
“Here's a truck stop instead of St. Peter's. ”
Michael Stipe
“who will tend the farm museums who will dust the day belongings? ”
Michael Stipe
“Death is pretty final./I'm collecting vinyl./I'm gonna DJ at the end of the world/'cause if heaven does exists/with a kickin' playlist/I don't wanna miss it at the end of the world”
Michael Stipe
“If the storm doesn't kill me, the government will./Gotta get that outta my head./It's a new day today and the coffee is strong, I finally got some rest./So a man's put to task and challenges./I was taught to hold my head high.”
Michael Stipe