“It’s a moment-of-discovery song,” said Michael Stipe, “about discovering oneself and suddenly feeling this huge sense of possibility. New York can do that to you,” he said. “You come here to change the world, but you end up changing yourself.” "Discover" was the lead single and opening cut on Collapse Into Now, and at the time of release the public had no idea the band’s 15th studio album would be its swan song, though like their subsequent retirement, the band planned it to be just that. After 30 years together spent shaping alternative rock, R.E.M. mutually agreed it was time to discover itself apart after this last musical moment.