yeah.. idiot me... i wasn't even thinking about the recording date versus release date of paris avenue... essentially paris ave was recorded prior to peter joining r.e.m. for the green tour

(clearly spelled out in the biography on this website)

this still poses the question of "who was this song refering to?" which may be peter's business only, but then again, it's loud and clear on the song which would probably make many people wonder if it were fictional or not....

maybe i'm just over-analyzing...

either way it's a funny (as in clever) song....

I do believe that Peter has said in a previous discussion on this very forum that (1) yes, it was based on a real person and (2) no, he's not saying who.

Hey Farley,
I second Louisville,Ky for a dB'S gig. I was just there for a family visit last month(including the fabulous Abbey Road on the River festival at the Belvedere (were you there?).
I'll be back next April for 5 weeks,so that's when I hope the 'boys' would tour.
Gee,you fans Stateside are sooo lucky!
Louisville rules,
Adrian