Nightswimming

A slow song by R.E.M. on the canon at most sites, Los Angeles being a notable exception. In any case, a most beautiful song about two people getting naked and goin' swimming.

Lyrics

Nightswimming, by R.E.M.

Nightswimming deserves a quiet night

The photograph on the dashboard, taken years ago,

Turned around backwards so the windshield shows

Every streetlight reveals the picture in reverse

Still, it's so much clearer

I forgot my shirt at the water's edge

The moon is low tonight

Nightswimming deserves a quiet night

I'm not sure all these people understand

It's not like years ago,

The fear of getting caught,

Of recklessness and water

They cannot see me naked

These things, they go away,

Replaced by everyday

Nightswimming, remembering that night

September's coming soon

I'm pining for the moon

And what if there were two

Side by side in orbit

Around the fairest sun?

That bright, tight forever drum

Could not describe nightswimming

You, I thought I knew you

You, I cannot judge

You, I thought you knew me,

This one laughing quietly underneath my breath

Nightswimming

The photograph reflects,

Every streetlight a reminder

Nightswimming deserves a quiet night, deserves a quiet night