“Just A Touch” is a song about the death of Elvis Presley, and how the word spread–via word of mouth, the radio, etc. The title of the song comes from Stipe seeing a poster advertising an Elvis impersonator’s concert, the night he died, which said “Is it the King…or just a touch?”
[Verse 1]
Oh well, what in the world? Women in black
Don't you remember? Sonny's was packed
A day in the life, well, nobody laughed
Look to the days, how long can this last?
Uh oh
[Chorus]
Kevin heard it on the radio, Hugh informed word of mouth
Carla read it in the news, caught it all, just a touch
[Verse 2]
You set the pace of what was to come
We'll have to carry on now that you're gone
A day in the life, nobody laughed
Look to the days, how long can this last?
[Chorus]
Kevin heard it on the radio, Hugh informed word of mouth
Oh, Carla, carla, read it, read it in the news, caught it all, just a touch
[Bridge]
There's someone in our dream, in our pre-assembled scene
Lord, Dave, William
[Verse 3]
Well, what in the world? Women in black
Don't you remember? Sonny's, Tyrone's, packed, packed
A day in the life, well, nobody laughed
Look to the days, how long can this last?
[Chorus]
Kevin heard it on the radio, Hugh informed word of mouth
Carla read it in the news, caught it all, just a touch
Just a touch, just a touch, just a touch
[Outro]
Can't see where to worship Popeye, love Al Green
I can't see
I'm so young, I'm so goddamn young
Just a Touch was written by Michael Stipe & Bill Berry & Mike Mills & Peter Buck.
Just a Touch was produced by Don Gehman.
R.E.M. released Just a Touch on Mon Jul 28 1986.