Alligator Aviator Autopilot Antimatter

Album: Collapse Into Now (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This propulsive rocker features Peaches on vocals ("as the inner voice of teenage testosterone," Michael Stipe said). The band hooked up with the Canadian Electro-diva after vocalist Stipe bumped into her in a Berlin bar.
  • Stipe's stream-of-conscious lyrics are summed up by the nonsensical song title. It compares with another R.E.M. track with scattergun words, "It's the End of the World As We Know It."
  • The song features added guitar from veteran musician/producer and long-time Patti Smith collaborator Lenny Kaye. Said Peter Buck to Mojo magazine: "Lenny nailed it. I'm really proud that I get to play with a guy who's been such a big influence on my life. With the exception of the Beatles and Stones, anyone I've ever respected since 1972 I've played with: Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Patti Smith, Warren Zevon, Roger McGuinn, I've played with The Replacements, Husker Du, John Fogerty... to have actually been on stage playing guitar with these guys - man, how lucky did I get?"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Hardy

HardySongwriter Interviews

The country hitmaker talks about his debut album, A Rock, and how a nursery rhyme inspired his hit single "One Beer."

Eric Clapton

Eric ClaptonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really write "Cocaine" while on cocaine? This question and more in the Clapton edition of Fact or Fiction.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.