Analysis of R.E.M.'s song &quote;Nightswimming&quote;

Essay from the year 2009 in the subject Didactics for the subject English - Discussion and Essays, grade: 1,0, Humboldt-University of Berlin (Institut fur Anglistik und Amerikanistik), course: Seminar - Pop Lyrics - Pop Poetry, language: English, abstract: The Song "e;Nightswimming"e; was written and performed by the influential American Alternative rock band R.E.M. and appeared on their 1992 album "e;Automatic for the People"e;. It sold over 3.5 Million copies in North America and had a huge influence on American rock music for the next decades. "e;Nightswimming"e; is sung by R.E.M.'s singer Michael Stipe, accompanied only by bassist Mike Mills on the piano and a string arrangement in the background of the song. There are many different theories about its meaning, lyrical intention and message in detail. Therefore, I will have a close look at the song's structure and some formal aspects, various possible interpretations and their reflection in stylistic means, continue with a personal approach to the song and finish with a conclusion.