I Believe
Lyrics
When I was young and full of grace
and spirited–a rattlesnake.
When I was young and fever fell
My spirit, I will not tell
You’re on your honor not to tell
I believe in coyotes and time as an abstract
Explain the change, the difference between
What you want and what you need, there’s the key,
Your adventure for today, what do you do
Between the horns of the day?
I believe my shirt is wearing thin
And change is what I believe in
When I was young and give and take
And foolish said my fool awake
When I was young and fever fell
My spirit, I will not tell
You’re on your honor, on your honor
Trust in your calling, make sure your calling’s true
Think of others, the others think of you
Silly rule golden words make, practice, practice makes perfect,
Perfect is a fault, and fault lines change
I believe my humor’s wearing thin
And change is what I believe in
I believe my shirt is wearing thin
And change is what I believe in
When I was young and full of grace
As spirited a rattlesnake
When I was young and fever fell
My spirit, I will not tell
You’re on your honor, on your honor
I believe in example
I believe my throat hurts
Example is the checker to the key
I believe my humor’s wearing thin
And I believe the poles are shifting
I believe my shirt is wearing thin
And change is what I believe in
Copyright © R.E.M./Athens Ltd.
1 Official Release
I Believe (Promotional 12” Single)USA – L33-17199
‘I Believe’ is also available on
Lifes Rich Pageant (CD Album)UK –
released: unknown
- 1. Begin The Begin
- 2. These Days
- 3. Fall On Me
- 4. Cuyahoga
- 5. Hyena
- 6. Underneath The Bunker
- 7. The Flowers Of Guatemala
- 8. I Believe
- 9. What If We Give It Away
- 10. Just A Touch
- 11. Swan Swan H
- 12. Superman
Document / Lifes Rich Pageant (CD Album)released: unknown
- 1. Finest Worksong
- 2. Exhuming McCarthy
- 3. Welcome To The Occupation
- 4. Disturbance At The Heron House
- 5. Strange
- 6. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It
- 7. The One I Love
- 8. Fireplace
- 9. Lightnin’ Hopkins
- 10. King Of Birds
- 11. Oddfellows Local 151
- 12. Begin The Begin
- 13. These Days
- 14. Fall On Me
- 15. Cuyahoga
- 16. Hyena
- 17. Underneath The Bunker
- 18. The Flowers Of Guatemala
- 19. I Believe
- 20. What If We Give It Away
- 21. Just A Touch
- 22. Swan Swan H
- 23. Superman
Documentary (Bootleg LP)TRW 1914
released: unknown
- 1. Finest Worksong
- 2. These Days
- 3. Welcome To The Occupation
- 4. Exhuming McCarthy
- 5. Orange Crush
- 6. Feeling Gravitys Pull
- 7. King Of Birds
- 8. I Believe
- 9. Maps And Legends
- 10. Driver 8
- 11. Superman
- 12. Auctioneer (Another Engine)
- 13. Oddfellows Local 151
- 14. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It
- 15. Begin The Begin
- 16. Strange
- 17. Ghost Riders
- 18. Cuyahoga
- 19. Fall On Me
- 20. Harpers
- 21. The One I Love
- 22. Crazy
- 23. Pop Song 89
- 24. Just A Touch
- 25. After Hours
Drive (Bootleg LP)released: unknown
Recorded: Demos from various studios and dates.
- 1. Radio Free Europe
Radio Dub - 2. Ages Of You
- 3. Carnival Of Sorts (Boxcars)
- 4. Shaking Through
- 5. Wolves, Lower
Fast Version - 6. Catapult
- 7. Laughing
- 8. Romance
- 9. That Beat
- 10. Burning Hell
- 11. The Lion Sleeps Tonight
- 12. Skank
- 13. Theme From Two Steps Onward
- 14. Just A Touch
- 15. Mystery To Me
- 16. Wait
- 17. Begin The Begin
- 18. Cuyahoga
- 19. I Believe
- 20. These Days
- 21. Bad Day
Green Dreams (Bootleg LP)??
released: unknown
Recorded: Orlando Arena, Orlando FL 4/30/89
- 1. Pop Song 89
- 2. Exhuming McCarthy
- 3. Welcome To The Occupation
- 4. Disturbance At The Heron House
- 5. Turn You Inside Out
- 6. Orange Crush
- 7. Feeling Gravitys Pull
- 8. Swan Swan H
- 9. Begin The Begin
- 10. Pretty Persuasion
- 11. I Believe
- 12. King Of Birds
- 13. Crazy
- 14. Finest Worksong
- 15. You Are The Everything
- 16. Academy Fight Song
- 17. Stand
- 18. Perfect Circle
- 19. Get Up
- 20. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It
Greendreams (Bootleg LP)VIGOTONE – THREE
released: unknown
Recorded: Orlando Arena, Orlando FL 4/30/89, w/ 2 fan club tracks
- 1. Pop Song 89
- 2. Exhuming McCarthy
- 3. Welcome To The Occupation
- 4. Disturbance At The Heron House
- 5. Turn You Inside Out
- 6. Orange Crush
- 7. Feeling Gravitys Pull
- 8. Swan Swan H
- 9. Begin The Begin
- 10. Pretty Persuasion
- 11. I Believe
- 12. King Of Birds
- 13. Crazy
- 14. Finest Worksong
- 15. You Are The Everything
- 16. Academy Fight Song
- 17. Stand
- 18. Perfect Circle
- 19. Get Up
- 20. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It
- 21. See No Evil
Fan Club Track - 22. Academy Fight Song
Fan Club Track
Begin The Begin (Bootleg CD Album)EU – CD 12033
released: unknown
Recorded: Westwood One, Orlando 1989
- 1. Turn You Inside Out
- 2. Begin The Begin
- 3. Disturbance At The Heron House
- 4. King Of Birds
- 5. Finest Worksong
- 6. I Believe
- 7. Crazy
- 8. Swan Swan H
- 9. Pop Song 89
- 10. Feeling Gravitys Pull
- 11. Welcome To The Occupation
- 12. Stand
- 13. Exhuming McCarthy
- 14. Perfect Circle
- 15. Get Up
Boreal Equinoxia (Bootleg CD Album)BC 039
released: unknown
Recorded 11/19/92, 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA. Plus 3 Bonus Tracks
- 1. Drive
- 2. Monty Got A Raw Deal
- 3. Everybody Hurts
- 4. Man On The Moon
- 5. Losing My Religion
- 6. Country Feedback
- 7. Begin The Begin
- 8. Fall On Me
- 9. Me In Honey
- 10. Finest Worksong
- 11. Drive
- 12. Love Is All Around
- 13. Funtime
- 14. Radio Free Europe
- 15. Pretty Persuasion
Bonus Track - 16. I Believe
Bonus Track - 17. King Of Birds
Bonus Track
Bucketful of Worksongs (Bootleg CD Album)92029/30
released: unknown
Recorded: Tracks 1-22 Utrecht Holland 9/14/87, Tracks 23-28 Werchter, July 1985
- 1. Finest Worksong
- 2. These Days
- 3. Lightnin’ Hopkins
- 4. Welcome To The Occupation
- 5. Driver 8
- 6. Feeling Gravitys Pull
- 7. I Believe
- 8. The One I Love
- 9. Exhuming McCarthy
- 10. Wolves, Lower
- 11. Fall On Me
- 12. Superman
- 13. Just A Touch
- 14. Oddfellows Local 151
- 15. Strange
- 16. Disturbance At The Heron House
- 17. Funtime
- 18. Time After Time (Annelise)
- 19. So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)
- 20. Harpers
- 21. Moral Kiosk
- 22. Life And How To Live It
- 23. Feeling Gravitys Pull
- 24. Driver 8
- 25. (Don’t Go Back To) Rockville
- 26. So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)
- 27. Have You Ever Seen The Rain?
- 28. Can’t Get There From Here
DISTURBANCES (Bootleg CD Album)CA 784A
released: unknown
Recorded Live: Chicago 7/84.
- 1. Letter Never Sent
- 2. I Believe
- 3. Driver 8
- 4. So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)
- 5. Seven Chinese Bros.
- 6. Harborcoat
- 7. Hyena
- 8. Femme Fatale
- 9. Radio Free Europe
- 10. Gardening At Night
- 11. 9-9
- 12. Windout
- 13. Little America
- 14. Second Guessing
- 15. (Don’t Go Back To) Rockville
Dynamic Live (Bootleg CD Album)released: unknown
Recorded 1987 and Oslo 12/6/84
- 1. Finest Worksong
- 2. These Days
- 3. Lightnin’ Hopkins
- 4. Welcome To The Occupation
- 5. Driver 8
- 6. Feeling Gravitys Pull
- 7. I Believe
- 8. The One I Love
- 9. Exhuming McCarthy
- 10. Wolves, Lower
- 11. Fall On Me
- 12. Superman
- 13. Just A Touch
- 14. Oddfellows Local 151
- 15. Little America
- 16. Hyena
- 17. Driver 8
- 18. Old Man Kensey
- 19. Pretty Persuasion
- 20. 1,000,000
Gravity (Bootleg CD Album)LL 15447
released: unknown
Recorded: Westwood One Superstars In Concert Miami & Orlando 4/89
- 1. Pop Song 89
- 2. Exhuming McCarthy
- 3. Welcome To The Occupation
- 4. Disturbance At The Heron House
- 5. Turn You Inside Out
- 6. Orange Crush
- 7. Feeling Gravitys Pull
- 8. Swan Swan H
- 9. Begin The Begin
- 10. Pretty Persuasion
- 11. I Believe
- 12. King Of Birds
- 13. Crazy
- 14. Finest Worksong
- 15. You Are The Everything
- 16. Academy Fight Song
- 17. Stand
- 18. Perfect Circle
- 19. Get Up
- 20. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It
It’s The End Of The World … As We Know It (Bootleg CD Album)KTS 005
released: unknown
Recorded: Orlando 1989
- 1. Pop Song 89
- 2. Exhuming McCarthy
- 3. Welcome To The Occupation
- 4. Disturbance At The Heron House
- 5. Turn You Inside Out
- 6. Orange Crush
- 7. Feeling Gravitys Pull
- 8. Swan Swan H
- 9. Begin The Begin
- 10. Pretty Persuasion
- 11. I Believe
- 12. King Of Birds
- 13. Crazy
- 14. Finest Worksong
- 15. You Are The Everything
- 16. Academy Fight Song
- 17. Stand
- 18. Perfect Circle
- 19. Get Up
- 20. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It
Perfect Circle (Bootleg CD Album)CB 53023
released: unknown
Recorded: 1989 “”Westwood One”" Orlando Green Tour concert.
- 1. Pop Song 89
- 2. Exhuming McCarthy
- 3. Welcome To The Occupation
- 4. Disturbance At The Heron House
- 5. Turn You Inside Out
- 6. Orange Crush
- 7. Feeling Gravitys Pull
- 8. Swan Swan H
- 9. Begin The Begin
- 10. Pretty Persuasion
- 11. I Believe
- 12. King Of Birds
- 13. Crazy
- 14. Finest Worksong
- 15. You Are The Everything
- 16. Academy Fight Song
- 17. Stand
- 18. Perfect Circle
- 19. Get Up
- 20. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It
Heroes Of Pop (Bootleg CD Album)GEMA H 8801 2
released: unknown
Recorded: Westwood One Superstars In Concert Miami & Orlando 4/89
- 1. Pop Song 89
- 2. Exhuming McCarthy
- 3. Welcome To The Occupation
- 4. Disturbance At The Heron House
- 5. Turn You Inside Out
- 6. Orange Crush
- 7. Feeling Gravitys Pull
- 8. Swan Swan H
- 9. Begin The Begin
- 10. Pretty Persuasion
- 11. I Believe
- 12. King Of Birds
- 13. Crazy
- 14. Finest Worksong
- 15. You Are The Everything
- 16. Academy Fight Song
- 17. Stand
- 18. Perfect Circle
- 19. Get Up
- 20. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It
Life’s Rich Pageant & More (Bootleg CD Album)WAI 022
released: unknown
Recorded: (Tracks 1-14) Pageant Studio Demos, (Tracks 15-24) Recorded at Various Locations.
- 1. Theme From Two Steps Onward
- 2. Just A Touch
- 3. Mystery To Me
- 4. Wait
- 5. Begin The Begin
- 6. Cuyahoga
- 7. I Believe
- 8. Interim Medley (LRP Instrumental Demo)
- 9. Rotary Ten
- 10. These Days
- 11. Bad Day
- 12. Underneath The Bunker
- 13. Swan Swan H
- 14. The Flowers Of Guatemala
- 15. March
- 16. Theme From Two Steps Onward
- 17. California Dreaming
- 18. Mississippi Queen
- 19. Whole Lotta Love
- 20. Funtime
- 21. After Hours
- 22. Oddfellows Local 151
- 23. Born To Run
- 24. Eight Miles High
- 25. Roadrunner
- 26. When I Was Young
Losing My Religion Vol.1 (Bootleg CD Album)BAN-042-A
released: unknown
Recorded: 9/14/87, Utrecht, Holland (First Half of Show)
- 1. Finest Worksong
- 2. These Days
- 3. Lightnin’ Hopkins
- 4. Welcome To The Occupation
- 5. Driver 8
- 6. Feeling Gravitys Pull
- 7. I Believe
- 8. The One I Love
- 9. Exhuming McCarthy
- 10. Wolves, Lower
- 11. Fall On Me
- 12. Superman
- 13. Just A Touch
Losing My Religion Vol.3 Live in USA 1989 (Bootleg CD Album)BAN-042-C
released: unknown
Recorded: Westwood One Radio Show, Orlando 1989
- 1. Pop Song 89
- 2. Exhuming McCarthy
- 3. Welcome To The Occupation
- 4. Disturbance At The Heron House
- 5. Turn You Inside Out
- 6. Orange Crush
- 7. Feeling Gravitys Pull
- 8. Swan Swan H
- 9. Begin The Begin
- 10. Pretty Persuasion
- 11. I Believe
- 12. King Of Birds
- 13. Crazy
- 14. Finest Worksong
- 15. You Are The Everything
- 16. Academy Fight Song
- 17. Stand
- 18. Perfect Circle
- 19. Get Up
- 20. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It
LOVE AND SQUALOR (Bootleg CD Album)CD 555-07
released: unknown
- 1. Pop Song 89
- 2. Exhuming McCarthy
- 3. Welcome To The Occupation
- 4. Disturbance At The Heron House
- 5. Turn You Inside Out
- 6. Orange Crush
- 7. Feeling Gravitys Pull
- 8. Swan Swan H
- 9. Begin The Begin
- 10. Pretty Persuasion
- 11. I Believe
- 12. King Of Birds
- 13. Crazy
- 14. Finest Worksong
- 15. You Are The Everything
- 16. Academy Fight Song
- 17. Stand
- 18. Perfect Circle
- 19. Get Up
- 20. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It

(4.75 out of 5)