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

43 "What do the lyrics to 'What's the Frequency, Kenneth?' mean?" (R.E.M.)

Stipe was quoted in several interviews at the time of Monster's release as
saying it is written from the perspective of a person who's getting older
trying to understand current youth culture.

Note that the lyric (printed inside) contains a quote from Richard
Linklater, director of the film Slacker: "Withdrawal in disgust is not the
same as apathy" -- a rebuttal of sorts to older generations who would claim
Generation Xers, or "slackers," are merely spoiled, lazy brats. (This line
of argument is that "slackers" have chosen to exclude themselves from
mainstream society as a protest against its empty values.)

It has also been noted that the "shirt of violent green" mentioned in the
lyric may by a reference to a Spider Robinson short story entitled "Lady
Slings the Booze," which also makes use of the phrase "What's the
frequency, Kenneth?"

 

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