'It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine),' R.E.M. From 1987's 'Document' There are so many songs that move and inspire me, but R.E.M.'s 'It's the End of the World as We Know It' is coming to mind right now. Michael Stipe, who's a very dear friend of mine, embarks on these long verbal deluges in the verses, and God knows I could ...