REM sings about “losing my religion”. I have heard that this is a
British expression. What does it mean? Does it mean one has come to doubt one’s self? One is unsure of anything anymore? Perhaps at a crossroads, or a midlife crisis?
- Jinx
I’ve never heard the expression used by anybody but Michael Stipe, but Stipe says it’s a common expression used by old-timers in the South (he’s from Georgia). If an old Southerner says, “I swear, I’m losing my religion,” he’s supposed to mean he’s getting exasperated, and is at the end of his rope.
This particular song seems to be about a guy trying hard to decide whether a girl (or maybe another guy… Stipe swings both ways, after all) likes him. Think of Charlie BRown watching the little red-haired girl (“I think she likes me… but maybe not… but I think she just smiled at me… or maybe I’m just imagining things… dang!”).
Stipe is going crazy ("losing his religion) wondering if his flirtation is too subtle… or if maybe it’s too blatant… or…
The phrase “losing my religion” is a southern term meaning that the person referred to is at the end of their rope, or about to give up on something, often over matters of romance. In this case, according to Stipe in several interviews, what the narrator of the song is giving up on is his or her obsessive love. Stipe also mentioned that he wrote the song with the Police hit single “Every Breath You Take” in mind.
From this site .
Definitely not a common british expression, at least not round here… never heard anyone say it outside of the song (or in obvious referece to it)
A Southern USA expression. It is about as bad as it can get if you feel you are losing your religion. That is the last thing you would want to let go.