The single 's music video , directed by Peter Care and Spike Jonze , " involved dune buggies , crazy costumes , and rubber reindeer . " The piano line for the song was originally written by Mills in his apartment before bringing it to the band . The lyrics were composed by Stipe about the two-year period he spent living in Santa Monica and the trips he would take to people-watch on Mulholland Drive . During a June 21 , 2008 performance in Atlanta , Georgia , Stipe mentioned that he was inspired to write the song after the 1994 Northridge earthquake . He told the audience that his home in L.A. was badly damaged and he went up Mullholland Drive and watched the lights from the city at night
1994 Northridge earthquake
1994 Northridge earthquake
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