Can't Get There From Here

Album: Fables of the Reconstruction (1985)
Play Video
  • Lyrics currently unavailable Writer/s: Bill Berry, Michael Mills, Michael Stipe, Peter Buck
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Comments: 6

  • Spoke from AtlantaLawyer Jeff is NOT Jefferson Holt. Lawyer Jeff is attorney Jeff Gilley, a friend of the band. (He is credited on the Reckoning album as "Interloper.")
  • Juan from Sacramento, CaIn this youtube video from October 2, 1985 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYOxK5TEwJ4&feature=related it is indeed Michael Stipe singing the song "Can't Get There From Here".
  • Andrei from Chicago, IlAccording to book "R.E.M. Inside Out" the falcetto IS from Michael Stipe. And that's what he said: "I figured out that I had all these different voices in me, and maybe one of the first songs I tried using more than one oÃ? two of those voices at a time was on 'Can't Get There From Here'."
  • Holly from Nottingham, EnglandI remember reading they wrote it as a joke about the fact that someone they knew (Bertis Downs maybe), when asked for directions anywhere, would say "You can't get there from here."
  • Terry from Ocean Springs, Ms"Lawyer Jeff" is REM friend, Jefferson Holt, who is also mentioned in the Reckoning album's song "Little America" when Stipe sings "Jefferson, I think we're lost." Anyways, I think that's right.
  • Bob from Apple Valley, MnThe falsetto is from Mike Mills, not Michael Stipe.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.