R.E.M. released their 8th album, Automatic for the People, on October 5, 1992. Many of the songs deal with themes of loss and mourning, and, once again, appear to give an account of River’s impending death. The definition for “automatic” is “acting or done without volition or conscious control; involuntary,” and just like Alexander from The Sacrifice, Ace from Stand by Me, or the big blue “A” found in Indiana Jones, “Automatic” represents the spot, the blue point, or the beginning. In the beginning was the word and that word was a year out from coming to fruition.
The album cover features a five-pointed iron star while the CD itself is yellow with black lettering. The five-pointed star can be viewed as an asterisk symbol. Derived from the Greek word, asteriskos, meaning “little star,” the asterisk is a typographical symbol so called because it resembles a conventional image of a star. The asterisk or star on the album cover would then symbolize the golden god and the word written in the flesh. We can liken it to the spot imprinted on the subconscious mind.
The band’s name is placed in the center of the asterisk. R.E.M. (which stands for rapid eye movement) is a unique phase of sleep characterized by random rapid movement of the eyes. It is also accompanied by low muscle tone throughout the body and the tendency to have vivid dreams. Although the body is paralyzed, the brain acts somewhat awake, with cerebral neurons firing with the same overall intensity as in wakefulness. We can apply this concept to the dying god, i.e. alive but dead or awake but asleep. So, here we have the asterisk (the spot or the “A”) with R.E.M. (the dying god) in the center, and automatic (again, the “A”) which means without conscious control, coming together to solidify that word. The yellow CD (like the yellow banner from Out of Time) and the black lettering gives the account of that binding contract.
Drive
The band released their first single on October 1, 1992, four days before the actual release of the album. The video accompanying the single was shot in black and white with flashing lights producing a strobe-light effect throughout the video. Much like flicker rates produced from our televisions, this is a technique used in marketing and other media to speak to the subconscious mind. It is a form of subliminal messaging used to influence people without their being aware of what the messenger is doing. This can include the use of split second Flashes of text, hidden Images, or subtle cues that affect the audience at a level below conscious awareness. Case in point, the images found on the trees in Stand by Me.
Throughout most of the video, Michael Stipe is seen crowd surfing as he is haphazardly passed from person to person. His body is often seen in a crucifixion-like pose suspended over the audience as he gives himself over to the throng of hands supporting his weight.
Rays of light shoot out from the background like the sun rising and setting on the horizon. The strobe-like effect whitewashes the audience as a guitar with catlike ears is held up to the camera.
The audience is drenched with water as it comes at them in long streams like water from a fire hose.
While the video itself appears innocent enough, it’s the concept behind these images that drive the subconscious mind. The flickering lights, the black and white screen, the crucified man – all of these elements tell the story behind the veil of just another glorified rock video. Like the guitar being held up to magnify and worship, it is the music of the golden gods offered to the people for consumption.
The video was shot in late August of 1992 right around River’s 22nd birthday. In 2001, Michael Stipe commented that director Oliver Stone had been at the video shoot along with River:
“I was trying to get a film produced with him at the time. And River Phoenix came – we were friends. And Oliver had been drinking and they got into a fight in my trailer. It was fun to watch. And it kind of fueled the energy that this video, from beginning to end, kind of carries through it.”
From beginning to end, and from the end to the beginning, the energy fueling the video also carried River right over the threshold of life.
The lyrics for the song describe the process of being driven by the golden gods, as well as driving the gods themselves. The repeated phrase throughout the song, “hey kids, rock and roll” is not so much directed at teenagers as it is directed at the golden gods. Like the hermaphrodite child, these newly formed gods are often referred to as “children.”
The term “rock and roll” also has an underlying meaning. The phrase “rocking and rolling” originally described the movement of a ship on the ocean, but by the early 20th century was used both to describe the spiritual fervor of black church rituals and as a sexual analogy. The most accurate analogy, however, can be found in the Bible. After Jesus had been crucified, an angel appeared at his tomb and rolled back the stone from the door revealing an empty tomb. Reverse that and you get the concept behind rock and roll — the dying god risen again and the rock rolled back by the hand of a lesser god.
Smack, crack, bushwhacked Tie another one to your racks, baby Hey kids, rock and roll Nobody tells you where to go, baby
The beginning line of the song uses the word “bushwhacked” which, by definition, is to attack someone by surprise from a hidden place. This is, essentially, what happened to River by the golden gods when he was passed through the fire outside of the Viper Room. The line “tie another one to your racks” also exemplifies this concept. Like bricks (or rocks) in a pyramid, the golden gods are linked together, each one supporting the next, each one bringing with it another, and another, and another, until the supporting beam (River) collapses under the weight.
Bushwhacking is also a term used for hiking in the woods without a trail, bushwhacking or clearing a path along the way. The line “nobody tells you where to go” also exemplifies this. In this context, we can think of River as a deer in the woods clearing his own path and then hunted down by a surprise attack.
What if I ride, what if you walk? What if you rock around the clock? Tick-tock, tick-tock What if you did, what if you walk? What if you tried to get off, baby?
The word “baby” is used to describe the initiate after the cycle has been restarted. They have been “born-again” after reconnecting with a dying god. It can also refer to the newly born golden god. And again, it can refer to the Old Man (a person who has not reconnected) since the end of his life is now the beginning.
This concept of riding, walking and driving has to do with who is in control. Michael Stipe drives because he’s the gospel singer controlling the narrative. He rides because the golden gods are in control of his actions and fate. “Walking” has to do with walking away and/or walking after the law. The implication is that River is letting the clock run out by walking after the law in his flesh.
The last line has a double meaning: first, it is a sexual innuendo related to reconnecting with a dying god, and second, if he did so, maybe he would be let off the hook.
Hey, kids, where are you? Nobody tells you what to do, baby Hey kids, shake a leg Maybe you're crazy in the head, baby
The first line is in reference to gathering stones or rocks. These golden gods make their appearance known by loud taps on the window (like pebbles hitting the glass), or strange noises, loud bangs, taps, or pops heard wherever the initiate is located. Like a haunted house, the poltergeist activity is a constant and irritating presence. The initiate who has not reconnected feels the brunt of this activity. It is, basically, a stoning from the other initiates/players. The line “Hey, kids, where are you?” refers to the initiate who is not being stoned.
The third line, “Hey kids, shake a leg” refers to the coming prophecy or fate. The clock is nearing the midnight hour as the initiates, the golden gods, and everyone involved races to the finish line.
Maybe you did, maybe you walked Maybe you rocked around the clock Tick-tock, tick-tock Maybe I ride, maybe you walk Maybe I drive to get off, baby
We have the countdown of the tick-tock clock (the time cycle) as River rocks around the clock. This is another reference to the time loop or the completion of the water cycle as well as the fruition of the word. Michael (the gospel singer) drives (his music) to get off the hook.
Hey kids, shake a leg Maybe you're crazy in the head, baby Ollie, ollie, ollie ollie ollie Ollie ollie in come free, baby
The line “ollie ollie in come free” is a catchphrase or truce term (also known as ollie ollie oxen free) used in children’s games like hide-and-seek or kick-the-can. It’s a term used to indicate that players who are hiding can come out into the open without losing the game. Like kicking the can or throwing stones, this is another indication that River was being persuaded to reconnect with a dying god, to come free, without losing the game, i.e., his life.
Maybe you did, maybe you walk Maybe you rock around the clock Tick-tock, tick-tock Maybe I ride, maybe you walk Maybe I drive to get off, baby
Hey, kids, where are you? Nobody tells you what to do, baby Smack, crack, shack-a-lack Tie another one to your backs, baby Hey kids, rock and roll Nobody tells you where to go, baby
The drug references (like smack and crack) are less about illegal drugs and more about the golden gods and the word written in the flesh. It is the RNA virus that has a direct effect on the physical body. A drug is, by definition, a chemical substance having an effect on the body. “Tie another one to your backs” refers to River not reconnecting to a dying god. Without restarting the cycle, those chemicals build up as the RNA virus is translated into reality.
Hey kids, where are you? Nobody tells you what to do, baby Hey kids, rock and roll Nobody tells you where to go, baby, baby, baby
From A to Z and back to A, Drive tells the story of the sick and perverted game at play in this occult system. Sacrifices are required as initiates are forced to throw somebody else under the bus in order to save themselves. It is a system that demands giving up the mind, body and soul for fame and fortune.
R.E.M. guitarist Mike Mills has stated that the song Drive is “just telling kids to take charge of their own lives. [Pause] Among other things.”
The CD single for Drive combines all of these elements into one cryptic image:
- R.E.M. is in white symbolizing the dying god and the subliminal coming to fruition.
- The tones of deep blue represent prophecy and the water cycle.
- The clouds appear like smoke symbolizing being passed through the fire.
- Drive is in black with white dots or speckles representing the subliminal messaging coming to fruition, much like the video.
- The white eighteen-wheeler barrels down a deserted road like a truckload of stones, or rocks being rolled toward their destination.
The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
Released on March 19, 1993, The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite was the third single (and the third track) off the album Automatic for the People. Influenced by the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight, R.E.M.’s rendition replaces the lion with a snake, both essentially meaning the same thing – the opening of the book and the translation of the word. A sidewinder is a species of rattlesnake as well as an antique style of telephone. Throughout the song, the lyrics frequently refer to making and avoiding telephone calls which symbolizes communication from the golden gods. The loud taps at the window or the throwing of stones can be thought of as telephone calls.
The video for the song features a large spinning wheel surrounded by blocks of ice. This, essentially, symbolizes the concept behind the system. The blocks of ice represent the dying gods as well as the word written in the flesh. The wheel spins around as the blocks of ice slowly melt and the word comes to fruition.
The lyrics can be read through River’s perspective in a sort of back and forth conversational style. The scenario remains the same: River’s not budging and remains parked as the clock continues its count down.
Michael Stipe stands in a corner turned away from the empty chair. Sand covers the ground. The symbolism has River cornered by his fate (In the Corner Dunce) while the judgment seat waits for his arrival, i.e., the translation of the word in his flesh. The sand represents a build-up of salt/sodium in his body.
The below lyrics can be read from River’s point of view. He remains parked and continues to be harassed by the golden gods via poltergeist activity (pops from electrical appliances, loud taps at the window, banging pipes, etc).
This here is the place where I will be staying, There isn't a number, you can call the pay phone, Let it ring a long, long, long, long time, If I don't pick up, hang up, call back, let it ring some more, oh, If I don't pick up...
The line below could be read as Stipe’s reply:
Pick up, The sidewinder sleeps, sleeps, sleeps in a coil
The sidewinder sleeping in a coil refers to the RNA virus and the word in his flesh.
Two large rings swivel around the block of ice. This represents the two initiates, presumably Michael and River, connected to the same dying god. The lyrics “call me when you try to wake her up” refer to the dying god and raising her from the dead. That is to say, not as a golden god but as a person.
Call me when you try to wake her up, call me when you try to wake her, Call me when you try to wake her up, call me when you try to wake her, Call me when you try to wake her up, call me when you try to wake her, oh
Michael Stipe is silhouetted by an orange screen. Red and yellow make orange, so we have the last departed time (yellow) coming together with the destination time (red). The pink screen also represents this concept. Shades of red, orange and blue make up pink. The color pink is also a color of noise (like white noise) that contains all of the frequencies that humans can hear. The human ear typically perceives pink noise as “even” or “flat” and white noise as “static.” One of the top benefits from pink noise appears to be deeper sleep. In other words, pink symbolizes the realm of the dying/golden gods.
The pink screen appears behind the judgment seat as Michael Stipe (River) turns to meet his fate.
There are scratches all around the coin slot, Like a heartbeat, baby, trying to wake up, But this machine can only swallow money, You can't lay a patch by computer design, It's just a lot of stupid, stupid signs
The dying god appears on the pink screen with dead branches placed at her mouth.
Tell her, Tell her she can kiss my ass, then laugh and say that you were only kidding, that way she'll know that it's really, really, really, really me
The dying god’s hand is seen poking through a white sheet as the drummer walks across the screen. Like the 27 bones in the human hand, this represents the binding contract and the translation of the word.
Call me when you try to wake her up, call me when you try to wake her, Call me when you try to wake her up, call me when you try to wake her, Call me when you try to wake her up, call me when you try to wake her, oh
Michael Stipe, presumably as River, sits in the judgment seat watching the water rise. Water represents prophecy and the word in the flesh.
His reflection is seen in the water as he lightly touches it with his finger – the fool sees his shadow and confronts his fate.
Baby, instant soup doesn't really grab me, Today I need something more sub-sub-sub-substantial, a can of beans or black-eyed peas, some Nescafe and ice, a candy bar, a falling star, or a reading from Doctor Seuss
Michael Stipe is seen with flowers as his right eye pokes through the stems and leaves. The flowers or blossoms represent the gift or the fruition of the word. The right eye (controlled by the left side of the brain) represents the subconscious or the subliminal becoming a reality.
Silhouettes of dead trees appear on the screen as Michael leans on the back of the chair. The water keeps rising.
We can see a tiny sliver of metal on his wristband symbolizing the RNA virus and the translation of the word. Through an alchemical reaction in the body, it represents a build up of sodium (a silvery-white, highly reactive metal) that led to River’s fall outside of the Viper Room.
Call me when you try to wake her up, call me when you try to wake her, Call me when you try to wake her up, call me when you try to wake her, Call me when you try to wake her up, call me when you try to wake her, oh
A statue’s hand appears through a pile of dead leaves.
Michael Stipe appears with cat ears while holding flowers. One of the blooms darkens his right eye. The cat represents the dying/golden god (or lion) and the flowers represent the fruition of the word. We can view this as Michael Stipe and the dying/golden god being as one. He is connected to “their world,” thus, through his lyrics (his prophecies) he “wrecked a lot of havoc on the way.” Like Eyeball Chambers, he is wearing the hat of the dying god.
The cat in the hat came back, wrecked a lot of havoc on the way, Always had a smile and a reason to pretend, But their world has flat backgrounds and little need to sleep but to dream, The sidewinder sleeps on his back
A white statue is revealed under the dead leaves. Like a whited sepulcher, the statue represents the dying gods who are calcified like stone, alive but dead and in a constant state of falling like blocks of melting ice.
Call me when you try to wake her up, call me when you try to wake her, Call me when you try to wake her up, call me when you try to wake her, I can always sleep standing up. Call me when you try to wake her, oh
The ice melts as the water keeps rising.
Call me when you try to wake her up, call me when you try to wake her, Call me when you try to wake her up, call me when you try to wake her, I can always sleep standing up. Call me when you try to wake her, oh
A hand appears to grasp the shoulder of the newly revealed statue and green leaves are placed next to a loincloth. River has met his fate becoming one of them. Green is the color for present time.
Call me when you try to wake her up, call me when you try to wake her, I can always sleep standing up, call me when you try to wake her, I can always sleep standing up. Call me when you try to wake her, oh
He falls into the water.
We've got to moogie, moogie, move on this one
Golden leaves appear like fire covering the statue. The birth of the golden god.
The Apple and the birdcage 