Meaning of "Just A Touch" by R.E.M.

"Just A Touch" seems to delve into the complexities of memory and its role in shaping our identities and perceptions. The mention of Kevin, Hugh, and Carla hearing about events through different mediums like radio, word of mouth, and the news suggests a fragmented understanding of reality, where information is received in fragments rather than as a coherent whole. This can symbolize the fleeting nature of memory and how our recollections are often influenced by external factors. The references to women in black, a day in the life where nobody laughed, and the looming question of how long memories can last speak to themes of melancholy, nostalgia, and the inevitability of time passing. The mention of dreaming and names like Lord, Dave, and William adds a surreal element to the lyrics, hinting at the blurred lines between reality and imagination. The closing lines, expressing confusion and a sense of being lost in youth, echo a yearning for clarity and understanding amidst the complexities of memory and time.