In the middle of recording Accelerate, R.E.M. shot some promotional performances a.k.a Take Away shows with director Vincent Moon. "Sing for the Submarine" is one of my favorites. During this version, the percussion sound that drummer Bill Rieflin and Michael Stipe make against the wall was so addicting they put it back in while in the studio. The percussion vibe added such a layer of mystical resonance that the band transfered the sound to the final recorded version as heard on their latest Accelerate.
As for the inspiration for this magical song, Stipe said. "It’s a song about a submarine that is fueled by melody. The guy is living in this world, the world that we are in right now, you and me, and he is trying to completely and neurotically prepare for the moment that the city is attacked, then find the love of his life, then escape. So he creates a submarine fueled by melody. You go to the shore and hit a particular series of notes and the submarine rises up out of the ruins and carries you off to safety."
Stipe's tripped out lyrics reflect his original intention:
"The city did not collapse in a shudder
The rain it never came
At least my confessions made you laugh
I know it's a little crazed
But these dreams...
They seem so real to me"
R.E.M. might have just made the ultimate Submarine song. I heard this one today while I was at Penny Lane Records picking up the latest copy of Stipe's pal Conor Oberst's latest release, review up and coming. For now enjoy the clip!
