The Great Beyond

Album: Man On The Moon Soundtrack (1999)
Charted: 3 57
Play Video
  • I've watched the stars fall silent
    From your eyes
    All the sights that I have seen

    I can't believe that
    I believed I wished
    That you could see

    There's a new planet
    In the solar system
    There is nothing up my sleeve

    I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs
    I'm tossing out punchlines
    That were never there
    Over my shoulder a piano falls
    Crashing to the ground

    In all this talk of time
    Talk is fine
    But I don't want to stay around

    Why can't we pantomime
    Just close our eyes
    And sleep sweet dreams
    Me and you with wings on our feet

    I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs
    I'm tossing out punchlines
    That were never there
    Over my shoulder a piano falls
    Crashing to the ground

    I'm breaking through
    I'm bending spoons
    I'm keeping flowers in full bloom
    I'm looking for answers
    From the great beyond

    I want the hummingbirds
    The dancing bears
    Sweetest dreams of you
    I look into the stars
    I look into the moon

    I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs
    I'm tossing out punchlines
    That were never there
    Over my shoulder a piano falls
    Crashing to the ground

    I'm breaking through
    I'm bending spoons
    I'm keeping flowers
    In full bloom
    I'm looking for answers
    From the great beyond

    I'm breaking through
    I'm bending spoons
    I'm keeping flowers
    In full bloom
    I'm looking for
    Answers from the great
    Answers from the great, answers

    I'm breaking through
    I'm bending spoons
    I'm keeping flowers
    In full bloom
    I'm looking for answers
    From the great beyond

    I'm breaking through
    I'm bending spoons
    I'm keeping flowers
    In full bloom
    I'm looking for
    Answers from the great
    Answers from the great, answers

    I'm breaking through
    I'm bending spoons
    I'm keeping flowers
    In full bloom
    I'm looking for
    Answers from the great beyond Writer/s: Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Peter Buck
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 8

  • David from Maplewood, Nj"I'm bending spoons" refers to mentalist Uri Geller. His signature trick, which he did at numerous performances and TV appearances starting in the 70s, was claiming to bend spoons through telekinetic powers gained in an alien encounter. He is perhaps the most successful illusionist ever.
  • Jack from Manchester, EnglandThe line "keeping flowers in full bloom" is a reference to E.T.
  • Gordon from Edinburgh, United StatesThis is also a song about the Other Side, just as the title states: up the fondly imagined stairway to heaven. But why push an Eli Eli phantasy up these spiral stairs in never-there bended Spoonerisms ... humming birds? a play of wonder, breaking through shadows of an overshy molder. DPRS Laing Edinbugh, SC.
  • Chad from Andover, MnUhh, Jeri, Jacksonville, Fl, Kaufman was never a cast member on SNL. He just appeared very often on SNL.
  • Deshawn from Philadelphia, Pa""I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs, I'm tossing out punchlines that where never there" - great lyrics
    - Jack Lee, Nottingham, England "

    Those lyrics were actually taken word for word from some of Andy's stand up. I like this song much better than the "Man on the moon". My Girlfriend used to like it less but really giving it a listen changed her mind. I think she used to liked MOTM better because it's a much more fun song to listen to. But in the end "Great Beyond" provides a deeper feeling after it'a done and while it's playing. and you're right. Those are great lyrics!
  • Jack Lee from Nottingham, England"I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs, I'm tossing out punchlines that where never there" - great lyrics
  • Jeri from Jacksonville, FlWhen R.E.M. was the musical guest on "Saturday Night Live" in Dec. 1999, they played this song. Appropriately enough, as Kaufman was a fantastic former cast member of SNL.
  • Epp from Pittsburgh, PaA follow up to their song Man on the Moon. However, this song focuses on the ideas of Kaufman, while MOTM focused on his life story
see more comments

Editor's Picks

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders

Chrissie Hynde of The PretendersSongwriter Interviews

The rock revolutionist on songwriting, quitting smoking, and what she thinks of Rush Limbaugh using her song.

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.