All the Best

All the Best

R.E.M.

“All the best” is a sign-off, a complimentary closing, a goodbye. This whole song is Stipe saying he’s over it all, especially the part about him playing rock star, “So over me.” I like how he compares himself to Quasimodo endlessly ringing the church bell until no one can stand it anymore. He wants to stop now and bow out gracefully before it’s too late.