Download "World Leader Pretend"
World Leader Pretend by R.E.M.
Release Date
Performed by
R.E.M.Writed by
Michael Stipe & Mike Mills & Peter Buck & Bill BerryAbout
In a 2008 Rolling Stone interview Stipe revealed that this song is an homage to the great Leonard Cohen and his songs of inner triumph like “Old Revolution” and “There Is A War”:
For me, the big moment is “World Leader Pretend.” It’s a tribute to Leonard Cohen, using military terms to describe a ba...
World Leader Pretend Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I sit at my table and wage war on myself
It seems like it's all, it's all for nothing
I know the barricades and I know the mortar in the wall breaks
I recognize the weapons, I've used them well
[Chorus]
This is my mistake, let me make it good
I raised the wall and I will be the one to knock it down
[Verse 2]
I've a rich understanding of my finest defenses
I proclaim that claims are left unstated, I demand a rematch
I decree a stalemate, I divine my deeper motives
I recognize the weapons, I've practiced them well
I fitted them myself
[Chorus]
It's amazing what devices you can sympathize (Empathize)
This is my mistake, let me make it good
I raised the wall and I will be the one to knock it down
[Bridge]
Reach out for me and hold me tight
Hold that memory, let my machine talk to me
Let my machine talk to me
[Verse 3]
This is my world and I am the World Leader Pretend
This is my life and this is my time
I have been given the freedom to do as I see fit
It's high time I razed the walls that I've constructed
[Chorus]
It's amazing what devices you can sympathize (Empathize)
This is my mistake, let me make it good
I raised the wall and I will be the one to knock it down
[Outro]
You fill in the mortar, you fill in the harmony
You fill in the mortar, I raised the wall
And I'm the only one, I will be the one to knock it down
World Leader Pretend Q&A
Who wrote World Leader Pretend's ?
World Leader Pretend was written by Michael Stipe & Mike Mills & Peter Buck & Bill Berry.
Who produced World Leader Pretend's ?
World Leader Pretend was produced by R.E.M. & Scott Litt.
When did R.E.M. release World Leader Pretend?
R.E.M. released World Leader Pretend on Mon Nov 07 1988.
What did R.E.M. say about "World Leader Pretend"?
A perfect song for these strange times
Statement accompanying the release of the song as part of the 30 Days, 30 Songs.