Hope

Album: Up (1998)
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Songfacts®:

  • The song is about somebody having to undergo surgery and is now struggling whether to trust science or religion, only to realize that both don't have all the answers.
  • Leonard Cohen got additional songwriting credits for this, but not because he was actively involved, rather the band felt the song had strong similarities to Cohen's "Suzanne."
  • At the release of the album there was a rumor that this song was written for Radiohead singer Thom Yorke. Stipe denied this in a 1999 interview with Q magazine.
  • When R.E.M. played the song live before the album's release, the title was "Boomerang." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Martin - Rostock, Germany, for all above

Comments: 1

  • Mark from New York, NyThis is among the most beautiful songs ever written.
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