Can't believe you've only done one REM song ("Everybody Hurts") way back in July. Too long! Michael Stipe's is one of the defining voices of the 90s. "Losing My Religion" is widely regarded as their biggest hit, and deservedly so. Some of my other favorites of theirs are "Radio Free Europe", "Drive", "Man on the Moon", "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite", "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?", "Bang and Blame", and "Bittersweet Me". You really can't go wrong with REM!

@jonathanlocke6404

2 жыл бұрын

"Fall On Me", "The One I Love", "Driver 8"...

@jco207

2 жыл бұрын

"Superman" and basically anything from the Murmur and Reckoning albums are my recommendations to add.

@spectreharlequin

2 жыл бұрын

I want to add Crush with Eyeliner. It's not as popular but I really like it.

@subwaygoddess1

2 жыл бұрын

@@spectreharlequin I love Crush With Eyeliner!

@katkonces5651

2 жыл бұрын

Don’t forget South Central Rain!

This is one of the fastest REM songs but is MUCH more representative of their indie rock style. Glad you liked it! Try What’s the Frequency, Kenneth; Man on The Moon; The One I Love; Orange Crush; Stand; and Shiny, Happy People. Just too many to list!

I think the key, lyrically, is the line: "Time I had some time alone," the high counterpoint vocal in the chorus from the second chorus on. I don't think that he's speaking of growing older so much as he's expressing how much the fast paced, information overload of the digital/electronic age was just overwhelming our senses and our being to the point that he literally saw the end of the world looming. But he was okay with that, if only sarcastically, because the post-apocalyptic "time alone" would be a relief - the barrage of images and information would finally end and he could find some peace. Was a time, when Stipe and the other members of REM (and myself) were younger, before mobile phones, 24 hour cable programs, and the internet, when one could find some peace and quiet practically each and every day, byt those days are long gone, unfortunately.

@tedcole9936

2 жыл бұрын

Right on. Great analysis.

@jorel80

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah man you nailed it!

@shelq3814

10 ай бұрын

You're right, Michael Stipe said it was about watching television.

@bertal.rahmey457

6 ай бұрын

WOW. I Agree !!

Nobody ever reacts to, or seems to even recognize the existence of, their first 5 albums, which is their best work. Chronic Town, Murmur, Reckoning, Fables, and Life's Rich Pageant. To most people, REM started in 1987 with this song and The One I Love. Then came Stand, Losing My Religion, Everybody Hurts, etc. People are missing out on so many great songs from the early days. Gardening at Night, Radio Free Europe, Perfect Circle, Sitting Still, Harborcoat, South Central Rain, Rockville, Camera, Driver 8, Wendell Gee, Fall on Me, Cuyahoga.

@sallyh5413

2 жыл бұрын

💯

@mikeharris3733

2 жыл бұрын

Big fan of early REM. I own all those early albums.

@joebeaulieu1511

2 жыл бұрын

My favorites are the first 2. I like all their stuff more it’s just different

@squiddah

2 жыл бұрын

So. Central rain. One of the best songs ever.

@RobertDobos

2 жыл бұрын

Those are all college rock albums, like the Replacements, Meat Puppets, Violent Femmes (except for Blister in the Sun) and others. The RSR cats have time to get to the cool rock!

I believe that Michael Stipe has gone on to say that the lyrics while they do have a meaning, are also at the same time randomised words/phrases... that was something he enjoyed doing at the time. But I don't think you are far wrong in your interpretation of the song. Its melancholy at how times are changing, while having that happy-go-lucky carefree rock n roll attitude of "I feel fine".

@taperk1299

2 жыл бұрын

I remember that he required a lyrics sheet to sing it on MTV unplugged.

@RonRezendes

2 жыл бұрын

Where's the ❤ button when you need it?!

This was the song that was played during the first scene of the original “Independence Day” at the very start of the movie.

REM is my go to rock music. "Orange Crush", "Losing My Religion" and "Everybody Hurts", Shiny Happy People" great reaction 😁

@audracrawford8836

2 жыл бұрын

100% agree!!!

@leisastalnaker3790

2 жыл бұрын

I recently found a slower version of Happy Shiny People by Ruben and the Dark AG. I finally hear the lyrics clearly. It’s is beautifully done and it shows how talented R.E.M. truly is.

@diananatal928

2 жыл бұрын

@@leisastalnaker3790 Nice 😁 Did you know that the song have guest vocal of b52s. They sing "Love Shack" 😁

@marcmarc1967

2 жыл бұрын

It fascinates me that most fans never mention their first 5 albums. Their early stuff is so beautiful. It's almost like REM started in 1987 to them.

@daveygivens735

2 жыл бұрын

I always liked Driver 8

R.E.M. is easily in the very top-tiers of all time rock bands and certainly deserve more attention moving forward. "Losing my Religion", "Night swimming", "Find the River" and "Uberlin" are among the many no-brainers that should be featured on your show, although all true R.E.M. fans would agree that "Country Feedback" is perhaps one of their greatest and most beautiful tracks (certainly most underrated) and without a doubt would tick your box on depth.

@elizabethchristian727

2 жыл бұрын

Night Swimming is incredible !

@rickwelch8464

2 жыл бұрын

Rock bands? No. Pop band. Good, but to call them rock is disingenuous.

@mikaelmikaelsson5136

2 жыл бұрын

@@rickwelch8464 ​ I have no interest in entering an online argument, so please don't get me wrong as I do understand somewhat where you are coming from. Perhaps needless to say, I wouldn't file R.E.M. in the same "rock" category as I would in regards to Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Blonde Redhead and Pearl Jam. However, given that main stream and pop-culture music discourse considers the likes of the Beatles, Queen, U2 and the Beach Boys as "rock bands", I would argue my comments above are vindicated. Moreover, I would say that through their "Monster" and "Accelerate" albums, R.E.M. can be passed off as a rock band even if they don't always release "rock" albums. Respectfully

@rickwelch8464

2 жыл бұрын

@@mikaelmikaelsson5136 I hear that, and respectfully disagree. No worries, in my mind they have always been poppy.

@Fakeaorta

2 жыл бұрын

@@rickwelch8464 Does that mean that the artists who started Rock N Roll are no longer rock? Chuck Berry, Elvis, Buddy Holly, and Little Richard and many others in the 50's are relegated to what genre now? Allen Freed made the name popular in 1951. Thought it was around in blues music for over 20 years prior.

I saw REM at a UGA frat party in Athens, GA, before they got big. It was in 1981 or '82. They had a multi-media thing going with a projector, and a they played originals. I was an equipment nerd and remember speaking to the guitarist and bass player about their instruments & amplifiers. I thought, that they might be going places, since Athens had spawned and The B-52's as well, but I had no idea, that they would become so huge! ...Good thing, that I encouraged them instead of being a smartass and saying something like "Don't quit your day jobs"! ...Thank me! Btw: Speaking if The B-52's, do "Rock Lobster" and ""Private Idaho".

@alshotrodsandratrods8780

2 жыл бұрын

I love rock lobster and planet Clair

@heather9857

2 жыл бұрын

Roooooooock LOBSTER!

@surfpsych

2 жыл бұрын

I met these guys at The Uptown Lounge in Athens in '86 --- and then crossed paths a few more times in 86-87. For a band that was suddenly enormously successful, they still knew how to act like your best friends -- if you had quirky best friends. As for the music, was addicted to the Murmur album, "Radio Free Europe," "Pilgrimage," "Talk About The Passion," etc. but there were no weak spots in the whole catalog over years + years.

@walterbennett8032

2 жыл бұрын

Sparky, I think I was at that same frat party, can't remember which frat but it was over on Prince Ave if I remember correctly and another band called IBM(?) was playing as well. I had a great time and I can believe how huge REM git and to think we saw them way back when! Cheer to ya and cheers to Athens!

@feliciachaste

2 жыл бұрын

Rock Lobster is a must but Private Idaho is my favorite B-52 song.

You should give "Bare naked Ladies" a listen to.They have some very fast singing/talking songs under their belt,and a great band too.

@dark_neverland

2 жыл бұрын

2nding!!!

@muzikman4399

2 жыл бұрын

After hearing this by R.E.M. I always feel like listening to “Pinch Me” by Bare Naked Ladies.

@dark_neverland

2 жыл бұрын

@@muzikman4399 that's such a good song too. It's a little bit slower song than one week which is ridiculously fast and I still don't know the damn lyrics decades later. When I say that like I know what the words are but I can't sing them even if I'm reading them off of paper because they're just too damn fast for my mouth

@roryowens9703

2 жыл бұрын

@@muzikman4399 That and If I Had £1000000 are so much fun.

@Cyssane

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! So many great songs from that band, especially One Week!

The chorus of this song ran through my head non-stop on 9/11/2001. "Losing My Religion", is a must listen.

@joecooper7692

2 жыл бұрын

This song ran through my head when covid basically shut down our city.

I was at UGA from mid to late 80’s and witnessed their explosion first hand. Early tracks “Radio Free Europe”, “Driver 8”, and “South Central Rain” are must listen. My personal favorite is “Fall on Me”, but there are so many. “Don’t go back to Rockville”, “What’s the Frequency Kenneth?”, and the beautiful “Nightswimming”. You deserve listening to more REM.

@kellifranklin4432

2 жыл бұрын

I saw them at the University of Alabama when I was just 16 . There were about 200 people in the audience. That was my first REM concert. All these decades later I treasure that memory!

@bonkyb8587

2 жыл бұрын

First few albums were best.

@tammym8966

2 жыл бұрын

This is my hometown band and I have loved them since I was a teenager growing up in Athens (late 80s-early 90s). Man I miss those days. What a great time and place to live.

@aliaelle322

5 ай бұрын

My parents saw them before they were big while in college. I’m jealous because I grew up listening to R.E.M and love them too but will probably never get a chance to see them.

I love the 4 part harmonies in this song. Probably the most underrated part.

@swami1

17 күн бұрын

REMs layering of lyrics was exquisite.

So glad you've got back to REM. Try "Losing my Religion" or "Man in the Moon" or "Nightswimming" all amazing tracks from a great band. It's about time you got back to some Queen or even Freddie Mercury solo. Try "We are the Champions" or "The Show must go on" by Queen or "Time" or "Barcelona" by Freddie. Much love from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

@mamatay7

2 жыл бұрын

Omg, Nightswimming is one of my all-time favorite songs!!!

@jimrosser7494

2 жыл бұрын

Life's Rich Pagent is their best album.

@raquelpinheiro9287

2 жыл бұрын

I have suggested "Barcelona" so many times... Such an amazing performance by Freddie!

@icepick1514

2 жыл бұрын

Not an REM fan but nightswimming is a beautiful song.

@bethmiller1840

2 жыл бұрын

How about "Don't Stop Me Now?"

REM is a treasure chest. Their level of talent, commitment to good, honest song making, inspiration, poetry, and experimentation PER the amount of time they pulled all of this off is off the charts (literally: they couldn't care less about charts, but got to be immensely popular).

Mike Mills' backing vocals are always super top notch, he adds so much to their music 🎶 💜

@richardnanian2446

Жыл бұрын

Eddie Vedder said Mike Mills is R.E.M.’s secret weapon, and he’s right. I also love songs on which Mills takes the lead vocal. “Texarkana” and “Near Wild Heaven” are both gorgeous, and Stipe’s voice wouldn’t be right for them. Stipe has more grit in his voice, which is perfect when pain or snark is what the song calls for. Mills’s voice is cleaner, almost angelic.

@nicolerizzo1314

Жыл бұрын

@Richard Nanian absolutely agree with you on all of that, his voice suits those songs much better than MS's would.

@SharmanSomerset

10 ай бұрын

Came here to say exactly this! Love him x

Lyrics: That's great, it starts with an earthquake Birds and snakes, and aeroplanes And Lenny Bruce is not afraid Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn World serves its own needs Don't mis-serve your own needs Speed it up a notch, speed, grunt, no, strength The ladder starts to clatter With a fear of height, down, height Wire in a fire, represent the seven games And a government for hire and a combat site Left her, wasn't coming in a hurry With the Furies breathing down your neck Team by team, reporters baffled, trumped, tethered, cropped Look at that low plane, fine, then Uh oh, overflow, population, common group But it'll do, save yourself, serve yourself World serves its own needs, listen to your heart bleed Tell me with the Rapture and the reverent in the right, right You vitriolic, patriotic, slam fight, bright light Feeling pretty psyched It's the end of the world as we know it It's the end of the world as we know it It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine Six o'clock, T.V. hour, don't get caught in foreign tower Slash and burn, return, listen to yourself churn Lock him in uniform, book burning, bloodletting Every motive escalate, automotive incinerate Light a candle, light a motive, step down, step down Watch your heel crush, crush, uh oh This means no fear, cavalier, renegade and steering clear A tournament, a tournament, a tournament of lies Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives and I decline It's the end of the world as we know it (I had some time alone) It's the end of the world as we know it (I had some time alone) It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone) I feel fine (I feel fine) It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone) It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone) It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone) The other night I drifted nice continental drift divide Mountains sit in a line, Leonard Bernstein Leonid Brezhnev, Lenny Bruce and Lester Bangs Birthday party, cheesecake, jellybean, boom You symbiotic, patriotic, slam but neck, right, right It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone) It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone) It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone) It's the end of the world as we know it It's the end of the world as we know it It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone) It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone) It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone) It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone) It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone) It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone) It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone)

@lisakaz35

2 жыл бұрын

I love Mike Mills' backup vocals.

@tedcole9936

2 жыл бұрын

@T J Hunger: Thanks for the lyrics- I was just laughing at the guy (above) who said he tried this at a Karaoke Bar. Insanity!

@lisakaz35

2 жыл бұрын

@@tedcole9936 That's funny, unless he's a rapper.

On my way home from a my best friends funeral this song came on. When i first met my him he found i made and sold Cheesecakes and got all my future friends to start calling me Cheesecake. Now I had heard this song hundreds if not thousands of times but I never heard them say the word Cheesecake until that night, and knew he was reaching out to me saying it's all good. I always think of him when ever I hear it. Another great reaction. Missing you every day Mikey.

@loristone9242

2 жыл бұрын

Awwwww. Hugs.

Here's the thing.... when we were going to the college bars and clubs in 1988 about 1 in the morning after multiple beers and drinks we would be dancing and the song would come on .. we would be screaming the lyrics to the song and dancing are butts offs.we knew the lyrics by heart and it was awesome,!

"Losing My Religion" is a must! Probably their best song.

@dark_neverland

2 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite songs generally

@smartalec8855

2 жыл бұрын

Losing my religion is not even close to their best song. Sorry

@jasonremy1627

2 жыл бұрын

@@smartalec8855 you don't need to apologize. Everyone likes different things. It's okay.

@smartalec8855

2 жыл бұрын

@@jasonremy1627 Yeah, very true. R.E.M are great. We can all agree on that.

@Wine-N-Steak

4 ай бұрын

I remember watching the "Losing My Religion" video on a huge screen with my girlfriend at her high school prom. Everyone started screaming because that video came on. I remember thinking at the time, "This must be the biggest song of this genre that's out right now." Great band 🎶🔥🔥🔥

This is one of the best songs to just listen to the vocals. Try REM's "Man On The Moon" which is also a movie with Jim Carrey about actor Andy Kaufman. That is also a must see.

Another great R.E.M. song is The One I Love. R.E.M. has so many great songs.

@simontemplar3359

2 жыл бұрын

that whole album (Document) is amazing!

@michelehankins2889

2 жыл бұрын

I agree with you Simon!!

I can’t listen to this song without hearing an entire house full of 200 drunks all screaming every lyric without missing a word. LEONARD BERNSTEIN!

@vishalramcharan587

6 күн бұрын

GREAT times❤

This song is played in the very first moments of the movie "Independence Day." Just as the Aliens approach the earth.

@chrisellis3797

2 жыл бұрын

Aagghhh just posted same before I found your comment.

The early days of REM were just fantastic. Anything before Losing My Religion is a real time machine.

Always like Mike Mill's backing vocals, particularly on this track, but he's always been quite good in his own right supporting Stipe on lead.

@feliciachaste

2 жыл бұрын

Mike is more than rhinestones, he doesn’t get enough credit. And his piano on Nightswimming and Electrolite is beyond amazing.

@dougman23

2 жыл бұрын

Mike is the musical soul of REM. The best pure musician, and his backing vocals are to REM's sound like Edge to U2 or Michael Anthony to Vam Halen.

@richardnanian2446

Жыл бұрын

Eddie Vedder said Mike Mills is R.E.M.’s secret weapon, and he’s right. I also love songs on which Mills takes the lead vocal. “Texarkana” and “Near Wild Heaven” are both gorgeous, and Stipe’s voice wouldn’t be right for them. Stipe has more grit in his voice, which is perfect when pain or snark is what the song calls for. Mills’s voice is cleaner, almost angelic.

JON SECADA 🎤 "Just Another Day"🎶 💕💕💕👏👏👏👍

When you're ready for more of their hits from the 80's, check out "Radio Free Europe", "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)", "The One I Love", "Driver 8", and "Fall on Me". And for a few deeper cuts also check out "Carnival of Sorts (Boxcars)", "Gardening At Night", "7 Chinese Brothers", and "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville" along with many others.

@subwaygoddess1

2 жыл бұрын

@Mike Caetano I'd add "Wolves, Lower" and "Stumble" to the '80s

@lisakaz35

2 жыл бұрын

Luv your choices. Also would add "Can't Get There From Here." My fave if some think overdone is "Losing My Religion." Maybe it's the mandolin.

REM - LOSING MY RELIGION...that's the song that took REM from an independent college rock band to world wide rock stars. Also check out their song WHAT'S THE FREQUENCY KENNETH. They literally have dozens of fabulous songs.

Defintiely Losing My Religion, and definitely make sure you do the official video-- a work of art!

@jscho8674

2 жыл бұрын

Truly one of the best music videos EVER.

The lead singer, Michael Stipe, got a mention in the lyrics of Hootie And The Blowfish' "Let Her Cry" song.

Amber, the line you wanted to know about is "Time I had some time alone." R.E.M. is my favorite band. The lead singer, Michael Stipe, said we should all interpret the lyrics however we like, whatever we think they mean is what they mean. R.E.M. always strived to make each album and song different than the one before it. I believe all their live performances are better than the studio versions of their songs. I got to see them in concert 3 times in the '80's. If you want to go back to their early music, listen to the Chronic Town EP (that's 5 songs) next. Most of their music was not commercially known. This was a very special band, they were, and still are, like brothers, very special relationship among the members of the band. All of it was magnificent!

@ncthom88

2 жыл бұрын

Nice profile pic. You are, indeed a fan. I saw them several times when I was a student at UGA back in the 1980s.

@NeutronDance

2 жыл бұрын

Mike Mills sings that line, I think. His backing vocals are a big part of what makes them great.

@roberthofmann8403

2 жыл бұрын

@@NeutronDance Agreed. Although they're not underrated as a band, overall, I believe they are often overlooked as one of the best harmonizing duos.

@subwaygoddess1

2 жыл бұрын

@@ncthom88 I saw them at Nassau Coliseum 1982, then Radio City Music Hall in 1985 and 1987. I loved being at the smaller venues with them. You got to see them in GA as a student at UGA. That’s awesome! Did you also get to see Pylon and B-52s there too?

@dr.burtgummerfan439

2 жыл бұрын

@@ncthom88 My sister-in-law is frome Rome GA. She got to see all of the "Athens" bands when they were first starting out. The Black Crowes, R.E.M., the B-52s, Indigo Girls...

J/Amber, you'll love their "Shiny Happy People" and "The One I Love"!!

I saw your face when the rounds of the chorus kicked in. That is exactly the way I react when I hear that Stipe/Mills harmony. That is one of the many things I love about REM. If you like that layering, you must check out “Fall On Me.” The three part harmony with Stipe, Mills, and Berry is beautiful and you can just get lost in it.

@suzieredfoxfur6982

2 жыл бұрын

"Fall on Me" is probably my favorite REM song. That and "Driver 8"....And "Radio Free Europe"....lol...I love OLDER R.E.M. so much..

@amyk9175

2 жыл бұрын

@@suzieredfoxfur6982 oh, me too! Green Grow the Rushes, Gardening at Night, Exhuming McCarthy, Flowers of Guatemala, Superman, Perfect Circle… I know their talent became more refined later but their early work is near and dear to my heart.

@feliciachaste

2 жыл бұрын

Fall On Me is my favorite IRS-era song

This is what i love about them they have a unique sound like no other and all there songs not only never sounded the same they where very different and always fantastic

This band made a great career being differant. You hear a song of theirs on the radio you know immediately who it is. Brilliant songwriting.

@mattpotter8725

2 жыл бұрын

The thing with great bands is that they have their own style, their sound, and REM is definitely a great bend. If only music today had bands like this, although that's impossible, they are unique.

" Time I had some time alone" Great lyric. REM's secret weapon is the bass player Mike Mills! Such great harmonies!

@michelehankins2889

2 жыл бұрын

I agree!

The counter-melody vocal in the chorus is (something close to) "time I found some time alone" Y'all correct me if I'm wrong! And... Jay & Amber: mark me down as another vote for "Losing My Religion" as the next R.E.M. request. Thanks!

Of course with whats gone on in the world these last 3 1/2 years, this song hits home big time!

I remember dancing to this at a club the night before the Gulf War was scheduled to start thinking: "Can one die of irony?"

Give REM's anti Vietnam War anthem "Orange Crush" a try. You will not be disappointed.

@itsmedino

2 жыл бұрын

Yepper

@otisdylan9532

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, that's a great one.

@lawrenceschuman5354

2 жыл бұрын

High on the roof. Thin the blood.

Losing my Religion is another one of their songs you should add to your to do list!

@andyo5543

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! Absolutely.

@caseyhazelman2390

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely

R.E.M. - Nightswimming is sublime ;)

In a live concert back in the late 80's/early nineties the crowd was clamoring for this song, but the lead singer Stipe could not remember all of the words. He had to get them printed off so that he could read them during the performance.

I have 5 or 6 of their cds. I will never forget discovering them as I walked past a Wherehouse music store at the mall in Hampton Roads Virginia. I think it was 1986 and they were blaring the cd "Life's Rich Pagent" I liked the sounds I heard so much that I immediately bought two of their cds.

yes!!! more REM!!! one of my favorite bands, im glad you are exploring more of the band. I think you would love some of their songs like "losing my religion", "shiny happy people", "man on the moon"

Early REM was post-punk, college rock, alternative rock. New wave. This is early REM.

As fast as he's singing, as fast as that cadence is.... play this in a crowd setting and EVERYONE will stop and say the "Leonard Bernstein" part....lol

Great reaction once again guys. Actually I was just going through the comments, and realised they were playing ORANGE CRUSH on my radio. So I agree with everyone that’s recommended that you react to it, so please do.

A similar song is Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire,' which rapid-fires a Boomer's perspective on history. I love Neil Diamond's 'Done Too Soon,' with its fantastic orchestration (studio version) and its listing of famous names from world history and a reflection on the one thing they all had in common.

So many good songs in their catalog.

REM has so many sounds.. very deep rabbit hole to explore

Try "The One I Love " or "Orange Crush" both bangers!

This song reminds me a lot of the Billy Joel song "We didn't start the fire". That song pre-dates this one but it's got a very similar vibe and theme. REM was one of those bands that quietly ruled the '90s. They were terrific and the "leaders" of the "college rock" scene. And I'm sure others have mentioned that Michael Stipe, the lead singer, was very close to Kurt Cobain, the lead singer from Nirvana.

@seandeoro7995

2 жыл бұрын

The R.E.M. song came first

“The one I love” is a must from them.

This song ALWAYS takes me back to my senior year of high school. In 1993, the Cleveland radio station Hot 107.9FM was rebranding from pop charts to alternative radio because GRUNGE and college indy was becoming mainstream and taking over music. So they played nothing but THIS SONG on repeat for 48 hours, NO COMMERCIALS, with a short quip “the end is coming soon” in between songs. It was the craziest thing ever, but felt like a gimmick after an hour. But being gimmicky didn’t stop us from checking back in the station every so often, and of course singing this song out loud. It was the week of final exams for our school and we all had our radios out singing this in groups of 5-20 kids in between tests and making the teachers mad for being loud. Well it turns out the new radio station format changed the tagline from “Hot FM 107.9” to }108, the end of the radio dial” and it became a letdown. But that was almost 30 years ago and I go back to my senior class mates and I getting yelled at for singing this while others were still taking exams, and the nostalgia sets in.

I love them. It was a vibe. Saw them twice. Incredible shows. 💕

I thought I’d heard this song but quickly realized I’d only heard the chorus. The speed reminded me of One Week by Barenaked Ladies. It played all over when it came out so I’ll be surprised if you haven’t heard it.

Way back in the mid-90's I was in a band with some of my college friends. We played this song, but the only way I could sing the verses and keep up was with my bass player singing alternate lines. I'd sing four lines and then he'd sing four and so on. Our guitar lead would do the backup vocal (It's time I had some time alone). I've heard REM do this song live and Micheal Stipe never sings it like the studio version. It's a super easy song to play but terribly hard to sing on your own. It's still one of my favs.

A radio station here in Minnesota changed from it's previous format to a new format. 93X. The week before they changed over they planed this song on repeat for a week straight! CRAZY.

Yes, REM is a very very deep group. Michael Stipe the lead singer is an art student and visual artist and works with many concepts.

You definitely have to delve deeper into REM and do more reactions. The whole Automatic For The People album is genius, even if not reacting to it all you should definitely give it a listen sometime. It's not one of their hit singles, but I love Find The River, it just speaks to me. From this album are Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite and Man On The Moon are the best known songs, but my favourite is Find The River. All their songs have meaning, that's just who they were, not just amazing musicians but good people who cared about their community and I don't think ever got too big for their boots.

@mikaelmikaelsson5136

2 жыл бұрын

I whole-heartedly agree with you on "Find the River". That is one beautiful song.

South Central Rain (I'm Sorry) is a must for you guys. Early REM. County-tinged, gorgeous melody and emotion.

I lived in Athens, GA during this era - my college years. The guys in REM lived in the town and would be seen around a lot. The same town that gave us the B-52s, Pylon, Love Tractor, Drive-by Truckers, of Montreal, Widespread Panic, Neutral Milk Hotel, Azure Ray, Vic Chestnutt, Vigilantes of Love, Mark Heard, Reptar, Dreams so Real… I could go on. There are so, so many. It’s the greatest little town in American music history.

I think you guys would like "Shining Happy People" because of its positive message. In the song REM collaborates with Kate Pierson of the B52s (I remember you listened to "Love Shack" a while ago). Also, "Talk About the Passion" is hauntingly beautiful.. It's a song about world hunger.

Uh, also. The duet Michael Stipe did with Kristin Hersh called “Your ghost” is pretty amazing. Haunting, moody and very emotive. It’s something else. Other than that… “Losing my religion”, “Shiny happy people”, “Nightswimming” and “Drive”.

@willfromyadkinville

2 жыл бұрын

great song!

Best band ever . A musicians band.

I love REM sooooooooooooo much.

REM has a bunch of great music! 💥

It was a lot of fun to learn all the lyrics to this song and sing it along with them in concert...

@walterrutherford8321

2 жыл бұрын

I can’t imagine them doing this over and over in concerts without screwing up the lyrics occasionally.

Saw REM for the first time in 1989. Opening band was scheduled to be 10000 Maniacs. For whatever reason, they did not open but it was a triple bill and Guadalcanal Diary opened. Incredible show. This was the last song…BEFORE their three encores. Front row when I should have been studying for a finance exam. Lol. No regrets.

happy shiny people! Man on the moon! AND losing my Religion!!! All masterpieces!!

I'm so glad you got back to REM!!! Michael Stipe was absolutely one of the defining voices of the '90s. This songs' cadence matches the time it was written in with all of its cultural references. Surprisingly, the world today is even faster than it was back then. They had so many great songs and I hope you listen to more REM. Losing My Religion, Man on the Moon, Radio Free Europe, Orange Crush, What's the Frequency, Kenneth? are some of their best work.

@wadsworthaaron

2 жыл бұрын

Before the 90s, REM grew from the darlings of the Athens, Georgia music scene to one of the best known indie/college radio bands in America. They were rock heroes long before their "Green" album made them a 90s staple band.

You'll love Orange Crush. Only problem with that song is that it is too short. It could and should have been longer.

You two are so sweet that I need to brush my teeth after watching your videos.

Everybody Hurts was an exception to what R.E.M. usually produces which is this upbeat light alternative rock of the late eighties

One of the bands that we used to play in the car while heading up into the hills on our fishing trips! LOVE R.E.M! Your smile all the way through the song says it all!

I once signed up for this at karaoke. Then I realized what that meant, and spent the next half hour outside the bar with my headphones on. 🤣 Also, Mike Mills is one of the best bassist/high harmony performers in all of rock, up with Michael Anthony of Van Halen.

@tedcole9936

2 жыл бұрын

That’s hilarious. Hope you took a speed-reading class prior to Karaoke Night. I have trouble reading along with it, so… how’d you do on stage? Id a liked ta seen that one!

R.E.M. "Fall On Me",, "The One I Love",, "Radio Song",, "Near Wild Heaven" & "Cuyahoga"

Thanks for getting back to more R.E.M. ! Not alot of people reacting to them, and when they do its "Everybody Hurts" or Losing my Religion. People need to realize that R.E.M. was an amazing ROCK band with a huge catalogue of songs with a ton of variety. You're standing on the edge of the R.E.M. rabbit hole. So much great rock music to discover there! Some good ones from them among their more popular tracks would be "The One I love", "Orange Crush" or "Begin the Begin". Now get at it!

If you've never heard this song before, then you've never seen the movie Independence Day with Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Randy Quaid, and so many other great actors! Wow. You have got to watch that movie! It is iconic! What the heck? You will NOT be disappointed! ✌❤

@dark_neverland

2 жыл бұрын

And a lot of the fx still look decent! I pretend the 2nd doesn't exist

This is the closing song of "Document" my favorite REM album. "Fall on Me" is also a great song, especially if you like the multipart vocals between Michael Stipe and Mike Mills.

@richmcelmeel5430

2 жыл бұрын

Closing song, side 1....closing song is Oddfellows Local 151... 1st disc I owned....King of Birds best tune on this album

@dangerkeith3000

2 жыл бұрын

@@richmcelmeel5430 King of Birds is wonderful. I think Document was the REM album that was "perfect" along with Murmur. Life Rich Pageant is ALMOST perfect.

One trademark of REM is intricate and multi layered backing vocals. This song is a great example, as are "Fall On Me," "Losing My Religion" and "Man on the Moon."

I'm not sure what age gap is tuning in but I love to see how Jay Jay and Amber discover music from the 80s and the music my family listened to I am 53yrs.old and I love love love the 2 of you ❤ I have watched others but you guys are amazing thanks for making my day everyday Michelle H.

Went to more than a few Frat parties with REM playing on the lawn somewhere on the campus of UGA!! They were just down-to-earth good ole Southern boys, who came out of nowhere and took the world by storm..I will never forget a 5 yr reunion, It was 1987 having a great time dancing with my boyfriend, when all of a sudden this couple approaches us, she starts talking to my guy and I'm hanging out with he husband....and he is complimenting me on my crazy iridescent blond hair when mid-dance it hits me, I'm dancing with Michael Stipe, lead singer of REM!! This is right about the time they are hitting the big time!! On the inside, I am dying cause I'm a huge fan but on the outside, I just kept telling myself It's just some guy married to that chick! HAHAHA! Anyway, the rest of the band was there and we all decided to head to their room and ended up partying all night long in a beautiful hotel in downtown Atlanta!! So much Fun!! This was before he came out! But all of them not effected by fame or money at all! ..

Easily one of the all time best bands with a huge back catalogue to explore. There's the big hits such as "Losing my religion" and "The one I love", but that would be skimming the surface of what this band has achieved. Some of my faves include "Fall on me", "So central rain", "Find the river", "Electrolite", "I'll take the rain" and "Daysleeper". And as I said, that's still just skimming the surface of how good this band is.

@dannford-premiersothebysin9057

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. They are by far one of my top 5 favorite bands. I go back and forth with Pink Floyd being number 1. U2 also make the top.5.

I met Micheal Stipes briefly about 6 or 7 years ago. We had maybe a 10 minute conversation, when I recognized him in a store. The one store in our little town. He was nice to me and very gracious. He was actually staying here for a few days. My little town of about 500 year round residents, has a couple things going for it that draws famous people. It's about 40 minutes from Music Row in Nashville, and sits on a beautiful lake with truly breath taking scenery. Ted Nugent, Kid Rock, and Mark Farner, to just name a few own homes here. Marks house I care take, along with some others houses owned by music industry types, but not with names people would know

So many great R.E.M. songs to check out…Fall on Me, Losing My Religion, Near Wild Heaven, So. Central Rain…just a few of my faves.

Yes! Check out, LOSING MY RELIGION!

Loosing my Religion would be another REM song. Also I’d love to hear some reactions to Matchbox Twenty. Great job!

@raquelpinheiro9287

2 жыл бұрын

I love Matchbox 20, they're so underrated...

This is the type of song that if your in a really bad mood and you play this song, it will make you smile and laugh.

Great song. The real meaning of the song is just about picking up the pieces from rough times in your life and using it to be your best self and move on as a stronger person.

REM are great! My favourites are "The one I love" and "Drive", but agree with all the others regarding "Losing my religion". It was a major hit for them and the video is a masterpiece!

@marcmarc1967

2 жыл бұрын

It fascinates me that most fans never mention their first 5 albums. Their early stuff is so beautiful. It's almost like REM started in 1987 to them. Gardening at Night? Radio Free Europe? Perfect Circle? Sitting Still? South Central Rain? Camera? Driver 8? Fall on Me? Cuyahoga? Give it a try.

"The One I Love" is, to me, the other quintessential REM song besides this one, and it's a pretty straight-ahead love song.

@tedcole9936

2 жыл бұрын

In the 90’s my wife & I owned a cd/tape/lp music store & every Friday we had local artists come in to play for free. Our favorite band always did 3 REM songs: The One I Love, Losing My Religion, and (well, sometimes) the end of the world as we know it. Loved it, loved it. So I’m right there with you on The One I Love. Such simple lyrics, but so much emotion.

Another song that has fast talking lyrics is ‘One Week’ by The Bare Naked Ladies. Their breakthrough song was ‘If I Had a Million Dollars’, which is really fun

R.E.M. are reluctant superstars. Very humble yet slightly aloof. They are a contradiction unto themselves. I always say, if they didn't want to be famous, they shouldn't have been so freaking awesome. ;)

They are on my Mt. Rushmore of favorite bands. A wide variety of sounds, and quite the rabbit hole to go down. A fee suggestions. True southerners would like "Can't get there from here", a tear jersey is "Sweetness Follows", and an all around classic "Man on the Moon", and if you want to rock out a bit "Bang and Blame".

When REM started in the early 80s their songs were very murky and moody, beautiful in their own way, but hard to decipher the lyrics. Michael Stipe's singing style was very muffled and obscure. Even he said some of their early songs do not have lyrics per se but sometimes wordless vocals. As the band got bigger Stipe had more specific things he wanted to write lyrics about so he switched his singing style to clearly enunciate all the words. This song is the best example: the words come rocketing at you at machine gun speed but he is enunciating all of them.

@marcmarc1967

2 жыл бұрын

Well, what you find "murky and moody" I find beautiful and personal. REM pretty much stopped being meaning ful to me around the time of this song.

@rickg8015

2 жыл бұрын

@@marcmarc1967 they were only meaningful to me up until Green..

@willfromyadkinville

2 жыл бұрын

this is and absolute fact!

Automatic For The People is one of my all time favorite albums.

'Time I had some time alone' - My favourite line in this song.