R.E.M. - E-Bow the Letter (with Thom Yorke)

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Tibetan Freedom Concert 1998


In 1998, Thom Yorke of Radiohead performed with R.E.M. at the Tibetan Freedom Concert in Washington, D.C. He sang Patti Smith's part of "E-Bow the Letter," a duet with lead singer Michael Stipe. Stipe also joined Radiohead for a song, singing Yorke's part on "Lucky." Watch "Lucky" here:

E-Bow the Letter:
[from New Adventures in Hi-Fi]

Look up. What do you see?
All of you and all of me,
fluorescent and starry,
some of them they surprise

busride. I went to write this, 4:00 a.m.
this letter.
fields of poppies, little pearls.
All the boys and all the girls
sweet-toothed, each and every one a little scary.
I said your name.

I wore it like a badge of teenage film stars,
hash bars, cherry mash and tin foil tiaras.
Dreaming of Maria Callas,
whoever she is.
This fame thing, I don't get it.
I wrapped my hand in plastic to try to look through it.
Maybelline eyes and girl-as-boy moves.
I can take you far.
This star thing, I don't get it.

[I'll take you over. I'll take you there.]
Aluminum, it tastes like fear.
Adrenaline, it pulls us near.

Will you live to 83?
Will you ever welcome me,
will you show me something that nobody else has seen?
Smoke it, drink.
Here comes the flood,
anything to thin the blood.
These corrosives do their magic slowly, and sweet.
Phone, eat it, drink.
just another chink,
cuts and dents they catch the light.
Aluminum, the weakest link.

I don't want to disappoint you.
I'm not here to annoint you.
I would lick your feet
but is that the sickest move,
I wear my own crown, and sadness, and sorrow,
and who'd of thought tomorrow could be so strange?
My loss. And here we go again.

[I'll take you over. I'll take you there.]
Aluminum, it tastes like fear.
Adrenaline, it pulls us near.

It tastes like fear.
It pulls us near.

Look up, what do you see?
All of you and all of me,
fluorescent and starry
some of them they surprise.

I can't look it in the eyes.
Seconal, spanish fly, absinthe, kerosene,
cherry-flavored neck and collar.
I can smell the sorrow on your breath.
The sweat, the victory and sorrow.
This smell thing, I got it.

[I'll take you over. I'll take you there.]
Aluminum, it tastes like fear.
Adrenaline, it pulls us near.

It tastes like fear.
It pulls us near.
It tastes like fear.
It pulls us near.

Channel: Music
Uploaded: February 24, 2007 at 9:17 am
Author: arpegix

Length: 00:05:50
Rating: 4.87
Views: 194926

Tags: R.E.M. Michael Stipe Thom Yorke E-Bow the Letter Tibetan Freedom Concert 1998

Video Comments:
joliecide (October 7, 2008 at 5:38 am)
this is the best-written song by REM-- it was written in honor of River Phoenix
ericajanehunter (October 6, 2008 at 11:24 am)
loved it so much :):) love REM and Thom Yorke, so was sensational to watch :D
elmonen (October 6, 2008 at 8:02 am)
this version?
Cthulhussama (October 6, 2008 at 1:37 am)
He was on coke :)
coolfeelings (September 29, 2008 at 5:50 am)
I love this song, great voice Thom!
R.E.M.!
CooL
snuffydoug (September 26, 2008 at 11:32 am)
now this is as liberal as you can get
gamook19 (September 25, 2008 at 6:31 pm)
One of the best song ever!!
ntucker88 (September 21, 2008 at 6:17 am)
thom looks so happy, happier than he does when he's on stage with radiohead. I dont mean anything bad by that. just a personal observation
supersonic512 (September 22, 2008 at 10:08 pm)
It could also be from the time when this was... but whatever it is, I agree..
ellavoid (September 20, 2008 at 12:43 pm)
I love this video....moments of extreme pathos..great!!!!