REM - Everybody Hurts

[Waawe]

Hey,

in this old, yet still great song, what does the verb 'hurt' in the name of the song mean?

#1 everybody hurts = everybody causes emotional pain to someone
#2 everybody hurts = everybody feels miserable

Can the verb 'hurt' mean 'to feel miserable' at all?

Thanks for help.

Waawe

[Clare James]

I think they intend for both meanings to be equally valid in the song. As in good poetry, song lyrics don't have to mean just one thing.

[Waawe]

Originally Posted by Clare James

I think they intend for both meanings to be equally valid in the song. As in good poetry, song lyrics don't have to mean just one thing.

Yes, I agree completely. I don't like word by word translations either. I just wasn't sure if the verb 'hurt' can stand for 'feel unhappy'. Can you confirm they really may be close synonyms?

Can we say 'He hurts.' instead of 'He feels unhappy'?

And another one:

'Thow hand' means 'give up' in this one?

Thanks for help

[Naamplao]

Originally Posted by Waawe

Yes, I agree completely. I don't like word by word translations either. I just wasn't sure if the verb 'hurt' can stand for 'feel unhappy'. Can you confirm they really may be close synonyms?

Can we say 'He hurts.' instead of 'He feels unhappy'?

And another one:

'Thow hand' means 'give up' in this one?

Thanks for help

yes....this would be an emotional hurt....not a physical hurt.

'Thow hand' is meaningless as written. "thow" is not an English word

[Waawe]

Originally Posted by Naamplao

yes....this would be an emotional hurt....not a physical hurt.

'Thow hand' is meaningless as written. "thow" is not an English word

Sorry, its just a typo - the lyrics say 'don't throw your hand'


Im surprised you dont know the song

So, whats the meaning? Does it stand for give up? Cant find it in my dictionary...

[Naamplao]

Originally Posted by Waawe

Sorry, its just a typo - the lyrics say 'don't throw your hand'


Im surprised you dont know the song

So, whats the meaning? Does it stand for give up? Cant find it in my dictionary...

Hahahaha....well I am sorry but my "music" is 50's to 60's rock 'n roll and traditional Blues music. We don't all listen to the same music.

"don't throw your hand" to me as I see it in the lyrics (always provide context when you want meaning of a song lyric) means "don't give up"

This is taken from playing poker. When you give up you toss your hand of cards into the middle of the table, conceding defeat.

[Waawe]

Originally Posted by Naamplao

Hahahaha....well I am sorry but my "music" is 50's to 60's rock 'n roll and traditional Blues music. We don't all listen to the same music.

Sure you mustve heard it unless you havent encountered a radio or a TV Box since you were born...


Thanks for help anyway.
Waawe

[Naamplao]

Originally Posted by Waawe

Sure you mustve heard it unless you havent encountered a radio or a TV Box since you were born...


Thanks for help anyway.
Waawe

I don't listen to "Top 40" music, just as I am sure you don't listen to "Golden Oldie" stations.

You should listen to old Blues music if you want real songs about pain and hurt.....and happiness too! There is no middle ground in Blues.

[Red5]

Personally, I like all (well, most) types of music.

Everybody hurts is a really great pop song, & I'm not meaning that to be derogatory.

Here's a link: YouTube - R.E.M***Everybody Hurts

[baqarah131]

This is getting pretty long, but...

He's hurting (he feels terrible)
is better than "He hurts."

If you say that someone hurts, or is hurting, you mean emotional distress, unless there's an object supplied:

My wife left me, and I'm hurting.
He hurt his hand.
She hurt my feelings.
Don't hurt yourself!

cheers
edward