Creem writer John Morthland wrote in his review of Murmur, "I still have no idea what these songs are about, because neither me nor anyone else I know has ever been able to discern R.E.M.'s lyrics."
John Morthland, der arbejdede for Creem, skrev i sin anmeldelse af Murmur at "jeg har stadig ingen ide om, hvad disse sange handler om, for hverken mig eller nogen anden jeg kender er i stand til at tyde R.E.M.'s tekster."