What's The Frequency, Kenneth? lyrics

Song information

Artist: R.E.M.
Album: Monster

Lyrics

(Berry/buck/mills/stipe)

"What's the frequency, kenneth?" is your benzedrine, uh-huh
I was braindead, locked out, numb, not up to speed
I thought I'd pegged you, an idiot's dream
Tunnelvision from the outsider's screen

I never understood the frequency, uh-huh
You wore our expectations like an armored suit, uh-huh

I'd studied your cartoons, radio, music, tv, movies, magazines
Richard said, "withdrawal in disgust is not the same as apathy."
A smile like the cartoon, tooth for a tooth
You said that irony was the shackles of youth

You wore a shirt of violent green, uh-huh
I never understood the frequency, uh-huh

"What's the frequency, kenneth?" is your nenzedrine, uh-huh
Butterfly decal, rearview mirror, dogging the scene
You smile like the cartoon, tooth for a tooth
You said that irony was the shackles of youth

You wore a shirt of violent green, uh-huh
I never understood the frequency, uh-huh
You wore our expectations like an armored suit, uh-huh
I couldn't understand
You said that irony was the shackles of youth, uh-huh
I couldn't understand
You wore a shirt of violent green, uh-huh
I couldn't understand
I never understood don't fuck with me, uh-huh