Imitation of Life by R.E.M.

Created by R.E.M. an American Rock band from Georgia, it was released in the 12th album of the band called "Reveal".
In this song R.E.M. used a very unusual technique, the whole video took around 20 seconds. According to the band "Is a loop that goes forwards for 20 seconds, backwards for 20 seconds, forwards for 20 seconds, backwards for 20 seconds, with one camera, static, and then using a technique called "Pan and Scan", which is a method of adjusting widescreen film images, moving in on certain parts of the entire picture. 
The songs of R.E.M. are very "enigmatic" specially this one, so it's a little difficult to find the meaning of the words. By example in the first stanza -
                                                                                 Charades, pop skill
                                                                                  Water hyacinth, named by a poet
                                                                                  Imitation of life
                                                                                  Like a koi in a frozen pond
                                                                                  Like a goldfish in a bowl
                                                                                  I don't want to hear you cry"
it definitely has more than one point of view, so the full message is up to the one who listen to it.

Although it is clear that the main message of the song is the "overcoming", the "go ahead no matter what" and the "keep trying".
I think the song aim to make us realize that there is no need to imitate others to succeed in life, you have to be your self and walk your own path and succeed in your own way in life.