This article is from the R.E.M. FAQ, by Ron Henry (rgh3@cornell.edu) with numerous contributions by others.
Not according to R.E.M. Peter Buck said in an interview in 1995 that Stipe
wrote the lyrics about the Glam Rock period of the 1970's (characterized by
bands like T-Rex, Mott the Hoople, the NY Dolls, and David Bowie) after
visiting a club in NY with a Glam Rock theme decor, and that the supposed
Oasis references are being read into the song and not intended.
 
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