Meaning of "Harborcoat" by R.E.M.

The lyrics of "Harborcoat" by R.E.M. paint a surreal picture of a dystopian world where people are trapped in a cycle of conformity and oppression. The reference to Lenin in the first verse suggests a communist regime where individuals have lost their identity and are physically marked by the system. The repeated imagery of harboring ghosts and the plea for the harborcoat can be interpreted as a cry for help from someone seeking self-preservation and protection from the harsh external environment. The harborcoat, a symbol of safety, seems to represent the need for protection and identity in a world where individuality is suppressed. Overall, the song conveys a sense of desperation and the struggle to maintain one's sense of self in a dehumanizing society.