Nightswimming -- R.E.M.

Nightswimming deserves a quiet night The photograph on the dashboard, taken years
ago, Turned around backwards so the windshield shows Every streetlight reveals 
the picture in reverse Still, it's so much clearer I forgot my shirt at the water's edge
The moon is low tonight

Nightswimming deserves a quiet night I'm not sure all these people understand
It's not like years ago, The fear of getting caught, Of recklessness and water
They cannot see me naked These things, they go away, Replaced by everyday

Nightswimming, remembering that night September's coming soon
I'm pining for the moon And what if there were two Side by side in orbit
Around the fairest sun? That bright, tight forever drum
Could not describe nightswimming

You, I thought I knew you You, I cannot judge You, I thought you knew me,
This one laughing quietly underneath my breath Nightswimming
The photograph reflects, Every streetlight a reminder
Nightswimming deserves a quiet night, deserves a quiet night          (sing365)




Stipe says the song is about a "kind of an innocence that's either kind of desperately clung onto or obviously lost." Stipe said there are autobiographical elements to the song, but insists most of it is "made up."   (wikipedia)