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This article is from the R.E.M. FAQ, by Ron Henry (rgh3@cornell.edu) with numerous contributions by others.

39 "What are the words to the chorus of 'Sitting Still?'" (R.E.M.)

A few years ago, Michael Stipe claimed in a Rolling Stone interview that
the chorus begins "Up to par, Katie bar the kitchen door but not me in."
Careful listening, however, leaves some listeners dubious about "door" at
least. In the album version of the song, it sounds more like "signs" (which
makes a certain amount of sense given the song was reportedly inspired by
Stipe's sister's teaching deaf children.)

In an AOL posting regarding this song Stipe said:

"Sit. still -- come on now, that is an embarrassing collection of
vowels that i strung together some 400 yrs ago! Basically
nonsense... 'Katie bar the kitchen door' is a southern term that
meant you better watch out."

The second line of the chorus has been confirmed by a friend of the band as
being, "Setting trap for love, making a waste of time, sitting still" which
careful listening confirms. In this author's opinion, therefore, the
entire chorus is, "Up to par Katie bars the kitchen signs but not me in,
setting trap for love making a waste of time, sitting still." You may,
however, hear it differently.

 

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• prev: 38 "I thought there was a R.E.M. song called 'Sponge' that was on the radio in 1995. I don't see it on New Adventures."
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• next: 40 "How exactly do you people think Michael Stipe could have written lyrics for some songs on Murmur, Reckoning, etc. without having specific words in mind? He is often quoted as saying 'the earlier songs don't have lyrics per se.' How does he do that? Seems ridiculous, but at the same time... witty." (R.E.M.)

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