I'm Gonna DJ

Album: Accelerate (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was recorded during the Around The Sun sessions, but was not included on that record. However, it was a regular in the band's set on their 2004/2005 world tour.
  • The lyrics were inspired by the 1999 riots surrounding the World Trade Organization's meeting in Seattle. In this song, a DJ is wondering what it all meant. Frontman Michael Stipe said: "It's this guy feeling, 'My God, this is the beginning of the end, or the end itself,' and wondering what his reaction will be beyond protesting in the streets."
  • This is a lyrically meaner update of 1987's "It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" (from the 1987 album Document). Frontman Michael Stipe told The Daily Mail March 28,2008: "It's the end of the world as we know it once again! It's very much in the vein of a couple of other songs, but it made us laugh."

Comments: 1

  • Joshua from La Crosse, WiHa! After hearing this song for the first time, my first thought was, "What is it about R.E.M. and the eschaton, anyway?" It turns out that wasn't lost on Stipe either.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Facebook, Bromance and Email - The First Songs To Use New Words

Facebook, Bromance and Email - The First Songs To Use New WordsSong Writing

Where words like "email," "thirsty," "Twitter" and "gangsta" first showed up in songs, and which songs popularized them.

Movie Stars In Music Videos

Movie Stars In Music VideosSong Writing

Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Mila Kunis and John Malkovich are just a few of the film stars who have moonlighted in music videos.

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.