I remember staying up all night in 1996 with my good old cassette deck ready, waiting for the radio to play this new R.E.M. song so I can record it. . After hours of waiting they finally played it and I listened to it day and night.

@kennethhufnagel4699

8 жыл бұрын

+TheBloodiac you are one of me; the ones that dance between the raindrops, as I too share your anecdote from your youth and the history of music from your memoirs

@dixonstreetdrummer1846

8 жыл бұрын

Yes indeed. Yes, indeed.

@catsilvy

8 жыл бұрын

+TheBloodiac: You weren't alone in that. :)

@adamlewis4047

8 жыл бұрын

+TheBloodiac I did the same, I was SHOCKED. I was expecting Monster (Part 2). Especially with the preview of "Wake Up Bomb" we had on MTV in September, 1995. I was so shocked by a ballad.

@CommonUnity

8 жыл бұрын

+TheBloodiac I WAS BORN IN 1996! Must've been an awesome year :D

My husband died in 2013. This masterpiece makes me feel connected with this huge lost. But not in a painful but complex and hard way to explain. This song is like a bridge between him and all the emotions and words that now are sleeping in a box. Is like he was a teenager again and once and again he became my friend and my partner, singing with me, asking these questions… It took me a long long long time to write this. “I got it”

@ncc74656m

2 жыл бұрын

💜

@buenasangre22

Жыл бұрын

fuerza 💪🏽rem lo cura todo 💖💞

@jamiebrooks5359

Жыл бұрын

Sorry for your loss x there is a huge catalogue of music to help us through those hard times x keep smiling

@fabiusspeck2518

Жыл бұрын

perdere il proprio compagno, con cui si ha camminato a lungo nella vita credo sia la cosa più orrenda del mondo. spero che da quando hai postato questo commento le cose vadano un po meglio sembrerà assurdo e forse stupido pronunciato da uno sconosciuto su youtube, è comprensibile. non ho mai conosciuto nè tuo marito nè te, nè mai lo farò probabilmente, ma ti auguro davvero di trovare un po di pace in questa vita feroce. mando un fortissimo abbraccio a te e a tuo marito

@bartdegraaf2161

Жыл бұрын

Sorry for the big loss. If the music gives you sweet memories and helpps you to go on . Than is that the best medicine you can have . I hope that the sun always guides you

Hearing people talk about their memories and feelings with this song is so wonderful. It shows this music is that beautiful, R.E.M is an astounding band

@vladimik

5 жыл бұрын

Alex Arias yes is so emotional

@corvideity

Жыл бұрын

what's scary is there's only one top comment about river... almost like it was cherry-picked by yt mods 🤨😶

This song instantly takes me back to being 16. This song has an incredible moodiness to it. It evokes a warm car ride on a rainy day. It was such a gift to be alive when R.E.M. was making music.

@dylangrahams

Жыл бұрын

Totally 💯

@anthonytaylor4473

Жыл бұрын

Described it beautifully

@ThomasBaxter

Жыл бұрын

The sound of this song is the library in North Grenville District Highschool 1996. Passing around the headphones of my discman. Knowing I needed people to hear this. Not knowing who I was.

@Jlyblylvr

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasBaxter I hope that this song helped you start on that journey.

@moonlightrider24

Жыл бұрын

EXACTLY, it feels like the windshield wipers synchronize with the song

I listened to this song all the time in high school. It's dreamy and mysterious…even knowing the backstory and "meaning" of the song…That dream like sensation can never be erased from this song. It always makes me think of cold rainy October mornings. Waiting for the bus. Thinking of loved ones that have passed away. Complex things that are really simple, and simple things that are really complex.

@Lulustucru2393

7 жыл бұрын

Beautifuly said !

@someguy2381

7 жыл бұрын

R.E.M. attracts the nicest types of people. :)

@alexarias5717

7 жыл бұрын

+some guy just that fact that you made that comment and were so happy about it really does show that R.E.M has the nicest fans

@TheGhostfisherman

7 жыл бұрын

very beautiful..

@waterhead001

7 жыл бұрын

I don't know the story of this song or it's meaning. I like your description.

Nobody quite does melancholy like rem, my god I miss them so much... So powerful.

@JasonDebly

6 жыл бұрын

Agree! And Stipes lyrics are vague enough that they can apply to our own individual situations, or so beautifully melancholic that we adapt them to our own particular circumstance.

@aquapolusa9549

6 жыл бұрын

Your said it. This was a period of joy and melancholy, just the right mix!

@kristopherryanwatson

6 жыл бұрын

Nic & Andrea Hills except maybe, you know, The Smashing Pumpkins.

@garethlawless8519

5 жыл бұрын

Fuck off. It's just music. They're not responsible

@Orangeforever66778

5 жыл бұрын

areth Lless . it's your shit & control they lyric from .

This song was about a letter that Bill Berry wrote to River Phoenix when it was painfully obvious to those around him that he was in the process of crashing and burning. When Phoenix died Stipe asked Bill whether he could make a song of it and this is the result. The e-bow bit is the guitar attachment used to create the sound. Their best song - gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. who's listening? 8th March, 2021

@okdude9716

2 жыл бұрын

What do you mean he was the process of crushing and burning??

@ksworld1744

2 жыл бұрын

@@okdude9716 spiralling down

@okdude9716

2 жыл бұрын

@@ksworld1744 im so really sorry but i didn't understand it again:/

@Deilajaxx

2 жыл бұрын

@@okdude9716 he was visibly going downhill. Those around him saw River personally and professionally losing. Unfortunately, no one could change the course of his life

@okdude9716

2 жыл бұрын

@@Deilajaxx oh thank you i got it now:)

This man has a unique style that's unrivalled. The lyrics to all his songs have helped me navigate through life.

@TheChadls

3 жыл бұрын

It's the band

@racelkoleci9901

2 жыл бұрын

Same for me

@dillanfolkers669

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheChadls Stipe is one of the best lyricists in rock history, but the band elevates them to an emotional level they couldn't reach otherwise

@themusic5229

2 жыл бұрын

R.E.M. - Love this song - Love R.E.M. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 R.E.M. - Love this song - Love R.E.M. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 R.E.M. - Love this song - Love R.E.M. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 R.E.M. - Love this song - Love R.E.M. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 R.E.M. - Love this song - Love R.E.M. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 R.E.M. - Love this song - Love R.E.M. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

@annamarineva

8 ай бұрын

It's the type of person you see him,you hear him and you love him!!

Michael Stipe is not only a singer and composer. He's one of the greatest contemprary American poets and this song proves it like no other.

@harrythompson9315

3 жыл бұрын

this and "world leader pretend" man I couldn't agree more!. cheers!

@bi3962

3 жыл бұрын

Modern beat poet

@FlickanIDetKroktaRummet

3 жыл бұрын

according to some article on wikipedia, he only wrote lyrics for REM

@scottvincent184

3 жыл бұрын

For sure!

@KevinKaffy

3 жыл бұрын

Huh??...never thought his lyrics meant much to be honest..this is a superb tune though

The places, the cinematography, the twilight, the loneliness, Patti's spectral voice, the guitar echoes, Stipe poetry... ...everything, I mean, EVERYTHING, in this song + video is absolutely perfect. I would not change a single note in the arrangement. E-bow the letter always kinda makes me numb.

@samrodshenassa978

6 жыл бұрын

Absolutely agreed on everything, but you left out the most important: as a top band when this was released, the balls it took them to fund, produce, and release such a beautiful video, against all trends, is admirable. While I've always liked this song and video, I don't think I appreciated both as much until I just watched it now. Such perfection and depth.

@davidswartz2925

5 жыл бұрын

r.e.m, took college radio,to the world.

@eileenstubington8592

5 жыл бұрын

The letter was to be sent to river phoenix

@gregallen4333

5 жыл бұрын

I have to agree everything is perfect and not over done. Here Patti's voice is so perfect but it's also background again making this song so great. Two voices no one else joins in and they shouldn't. It's my absolute favorite and I could listen to it on repeat all day!

@themusic5229

2 жыл бұрын

R.E.M. - Love this song - Love R.E.M. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 R.E.M. - Love this song - Love R.E.M. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 R.E.M. - Love this song - Love R.E.M. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 R.E.M. - Love this song - Love R.E.M. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 R.E.M. - Love this song - Love R.E.M. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 R.E.M. - Love this song - Love R.E.M. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

i want back my years

@JJSX09

7 жыл бұрын

who doesn't

@wildmercuryfilms

7 жыл бұрын

daniele borbotti look forward

@danieledanny9625

7 жыл бұрын

i try it

@Nofarewell

7 жыл бұрын

I think I know what you mean, there might be better days in the future but those "years" will never come again.

@julienichols5490

6 жыл бұрын

I know exactly what you mean and I want my years back too I have this in playlist under Fall of '96 (around the time I first heard it on the radio)

I remember in 96, I was on my back on the roof of my apartment building on a blustery spring day in Manhattan just staring up at the clouds listening to this song. It was beautiful and surreal and I was in a euphoric ethereal moment that I find hard to describe. Whenever I listen to this song it brings me right there, at that moment and I feel it all over again. The wind and the slow moving clouds. That feeling in my stomach, like being madly in love. Who said time travel isn't possible. Amazing!

@TheDerekclarkmep

8 жыл бұрын

amazing comment......

@Pipegameryt6

7 жыл бұрын

euphoric ethereal moment...

@condors1972

6 жыл бұрын

Michael Devino are you still under that roof?

@condors1972

6 жыл бұрын

What a lovely song.

@TooL1993

6 жыл бұрын

I remember the melancholy sound of this song gave me the idea for my impression of what a Thunderbird (if it existed) would look like. Some massive ancient creature, the last of it's kind, flying in the same summer heat as I would walk home from school in. Alone, just like me at the time. But it was fine with it. It would survey the world and enjoy the wind under its wings. I drew it in a way you could see its age. Where it's skin was thinning and you could see the outline of its bones but it still had an elegant, regal presence about it. I would imagine the occasional breeze when walking home and listening to this song, would be from its massive wings flying above me.

This is one of the best songs I've ever heard, and it's like no one knows about it. Beyond underrated.

@iamandrewssoul

10 жыл бұрын

Too true, it's like cats just stop with "losing..." or something. Like REM stopped there.

@catsilvy

9 жыл бұрын

A lot of people know about the song, Rachel. It's just too non-commercial and slow for radio. But it's a beautiful song, one of many they did.

@Ummagumarios

9 жыл бұрын

REM it's really a very special band. Most of the people only know them for ''losing my religion'' :( This one ''E-Bow the letter'' is one of the best ever...

@psalmist

9 жыл бұрын

Daniel Lind Daniel, I did receive some airplay. Having Patti Smith on the track, brought enough attention to make it on the college radio circuit as well as a month or two on Mtv, Remember, REM had just signed a large contract, and the company wanted something.

@antmanfersil

9 жыл бұрын

Ummagumarios +1

I love Stipe's singing in this song, kinda flat like Swan Swan H. And Patti Smith works in perfectly with it as well.

@1jencapo

6 жыл бұрын

Good ear. I was just explaining to someone how intriguing his cadence was in this song. Purposely emotionally flat..its full of emotions

This song was everything to me when I was 13. I'm 38 now and it still makes time stop.

@carmentaborda971

2 жыл бұрын

me too, also same age

@michaeljones2464

2 жыл бұрын

This band has been a pillow,a warmth and a kick up the arse to me.......and a workout eveytime I have robed in to watch them.

@Andyface79

Жыл бұрын

Same age too. I was 12 going on 13 when this came out.

@msjessicahall

Жыл бұрын

Same. I'm now 40

@bradcole494

Жыл бұрын

Can I have your #? Same age and ditto

Whenever I see my son smile, I have this song to thank. If not for this song I would have never made it past 25. This was the first song he ever heard. I’m now nearly 36 and my son 4. This song made me not take my life, and for that I get to share the rest of it. With my most prized possession.

@nclayton877

4 ай бұрын

Incredible 🙏

Take me back to my teenage years. Also i remember when MTV used to play music videos.

"Aluminum, tastes like fear" One of the best lines ever written in a song. Simple, but you know exactly what he's talking about. This is Stipe at his absolute best.

@TheWickerMan1981

7 жыл бұрын

So glad I saw them live and next door for a private show in Athens at the bowling alley a few years ago as well.

@MrMonikerjay

7 жыл бұрын

Very cool!

@riverertresvaagzeal774

7 жыл бұрын

it kinda has the feeling he's into some of the directing also, i think so at least. queer intense angles and alienated commodities everywhere.

@justinbrown8214

7 жыл бұрын

MrMonikerjay what does he mean?

@leesdroidaccountharbin9665

7 жыл бұрын

whenever you get shocking news, you usually get a metallic taste in your mouth

Patti Smith is a legend. Her voice on this beautiful song... Love it so much!

@scottab140

6 жыл бұрын

Agree.

@michaelmoraga2926

2 жыл бұрын

Patti in Prague... sublime 💜

This song has put me in a daze and given me chills multiple times. The last minute or so is so emotional. And I don't even know what emotion it is.

@hipp0stratus

5 жыл бұрын

Regret

They paint a picture with words and sounds that describes how I feel better than I ever could.

@paulopenshaw9115

6 жыл бұрын

Nic & Andrea Hills me too

@LuaBloe

6 жыл бұрын

Very nicely put :) I love the way they make words sound and dance. It's also a delight to sing along ;)

@TheDerekclarkmep

6 жыл бұрын

Beautiful

@jasonbarbush4991

5 жыл бұрын

as for me i have black and blue ink

Its funny that for most REM fans, you cant possibly listen to this track once.....you always have to play it on repeat a couple of times....

@Goodywagon

4 жыл бұрын

True from the first listen all those years ago.

@jzneter736

4 жыл бұрын

True

@CannibalWHORE22

4 жыл бұрын

Hahaha I am so glad someone said it because this has been on repeat

@wreckofthehesperas8323

4 жыл бұрын

CannibalWHORE22. Same, with the vid.

@rockandroller80

4 жыл бұрын

Amen brother

Look up, what do you see? All of you and all of me Fluorescent and starry Some of them, they surprise The bus ride I went to write this 4 a.m. this letter Fields of poppies, little pearls All the boys and all the girls Sweet-toothed Each and every one a little scary I said your name I wore it like a badge of teenage film stars Hash bars, cherry mash and tinfoil tiaras Dreaming of Maria Callas Whoever she is This fame thing I don't get it I wrap my hand in plastic to try to look through it Maybelline eyes and girl-as-boy moves I can take you far This star thing I don't get it aluminum, it tastes like fear Adrenaline, it pulls us near (I'll take you over there) It tastes like fear (I'll take you over) Will you live to 83? Will you ever welcome me? Will you show me something that nobody else has seen? Smoke it, drink Here comes the flood Anything to thin the blood These corrosives do their magic slowly and sweet Phone, eat it, drink Just another chink Cuts and dents They catch the light Aluminium The weakest link I don't want to disappoint you I'm not here to anoint you I would lick your feet But is that the sickest move? I wear my own crown and sadness and sorrow And who'd have thought tomorrow could be so strange? My loss, and here we go again aluminum, it tastes like fear Adrenaline, it pulls us near (I'll take you over there) It tastes like fear It pulls us near (I'll take you over) Look up, what do you see? All of you and all of me Fluorescent and starry Some of them, they surprise I can't look it in the eyes Seconal, Spanish fly, absinthe, kerosene Cherry-flavored neck and collar I can smell the sorrow on your breath The sweat, the victory and sorrow The smell of fear I got it aluminum, it tastes like fear Adrenaline, it pulls us near (I'll take you over) Aluminum, it tastes like fear (take you there) Adrenaline, it pulls us near (I'll take you over) It tastes like fear (take you there) It pulls us near (I'll take you over) It tastes like fear (take you there) It pulls us near it tastes like fear (Tastes like fear) it pulls us near (Pulls us near) nearer, nearer (Over, over, over, over, over, over there) I'll take you there (oh) I'll take you there (there) I'll take you there (oh, over) I'll take you there (over, baby) I'll take you there (there) I'll take you there (there, baby, yeah)

@of_the_how_or_why_of_me__t8685

2 жыл бұрын

And this ... provokes in me a scream of all screams.. the scream that will make man and animals hair stand as a shiver to chills rolls over their bodies, that will feel as if it's going to burst out of my body if I don't open my mouth wider ... the emotions the will emit from that scream would resonate with its echo through the universe ... that's how it makes me feel.

@powderedground78

2 жыл бұрын

Some of the most incredible lyrics ever penned.

@TriniGamerGirl7

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@m.maclellan7147

Жыл бұрын

Ah. The melancholy of cities. The melancholy of getting older. The poets know. The artists weep. The homeless wander down the street......

@mariella71114

8 ай бұрын

Thanks

Well, the other day. my friend's 22 year old son asked me if I'd heard of Patti Smith! What goes around comes around! Really. there are no words to describe what a fabulous band R.E.M. were....Saw them in Dublin on the "Green" tour... Still fresh as a daisy in my mind 🥰

@spencerjones1928

Жыл бұрын

It will really have gone around when he asks you if you have heard of Maria Callas.

*This is the only band that I can hear 24/7 every decade of my life.*

@nbml4756

4 жыл бұрын

Amen!

@flumpyhumpy

4 жыл бұрын

Fuck you must have a boring life.

@annakarina3640

3 жыл бұрын

Snurt Groolan what would you listen to mr perfect music taste🙄

@dannysmith3639

3 жыл бұрын

@@flumpyhumpy shut up knobhead

Ethereal, deep, fragile, moving, poetic... majestic song.

REM certainly doesn’t get enough credit as one of the best bands ever.

@pipkingdom

9 ай бұрын

Don’t agree

@yogablu

9 ай бұрын

I think that might be because they ended their union with a definitive to never to return. I think Stipe tapped out. He gave all he could and although he surfaces now and again, he may be empty of more quality poetry. Super sad.

@hardnine

8 ай бұрын

I just think you need to give it more time

@youanded

6 ай бұрын

@@yogablu The whole band just got tired of everything that wasn't making and performing music (business, politics, money, etc.), that is very well documented. Stipe still writes and has put out music, collaborations and solo, in the last decade-plus.

@yogablu

6 ай бұрын

@@youanded I follow all of their other projects. And they were tired of playing the same songs over and over again. So I know that, while Stipe has done a few things here and there, Buck and Mills have been out and about. I go see all their bands when they come to town. They seem happy

Just thinking about how the band wrote this song for River Phoenix with simple yet mysteriously sad lyrics is amazing. One of my favorite R.E.M. songs I'll listen to for the rest of my life

@rax816

5 жыл бұрын

Not sure this one is (not specifically anyway)

@1qwasz12

4 жыл бұрын

The Album "Monster" is dedicated to River Phoenix.

@Caltops78

3 жыл бұрын

@@rax816 well whoever wrote it did a great job. I always come back to listen

@brabbit3389

2 жыл бұрын

I think it was actually a letter that Stipe wrote and was going to send to River about making the guitar sound like a violin or something - he died before it was sent and so it was never sent. Then this song was made from reworking that original letter - this maybe bullshit but that’s the story I think

@Caltops78

2 жыл бұрын

@@brabbit3389 I wasn’t exactly sure who wrote it but that would make sense. Never knew about the violin to guitar part either. Thanks for adding some new perspective to one of my fav songs

1:27-1:30. Peter's using an EBow on his guitar. It helps sustain the vibration of the guitar strings. That's one part of the song's title. Supposedly, "The Letter" refers to a letter Michael wrote to River Phoenix, about his drug use, that was never sent due to his unexpected death. Found that online, but I thought it was an interesting thing to share.

@PYSCOPOMP

9 жыл бұрын

***** alot of his tunes, has a much deeper meaning. I got my music hero's. He is top five. Brilliant human being.

@PYSCOPOMP

9 жыл бұрын

***** Smashing Pumkins was there for me. But upon listening to Billy speak lately. I dunno anymore. But New Order? I gotta check it out. Cheers.

@ikesweat6037

9 жыл бұрын

***** New Adventures In Hi-Fi is my favorite ReM album (overall) but the tandem pair of Nightswimming with Find The River is my favorite song[s] w/Country Feedback coming in at #2. Up is brilliant__ I love Sad Professor (got me through my divorce/1st time I'd been alone in 15 years/thought I would die) & Why Not Smile best but the whole record is phenomenal, yet in truth, absolutely all of their albums are just phenomenal. They new what music should do and they did it time and again. okay bye

@ikesweat6037

9 жыл бұрын

PYSCOPOMP New Order are the remains of Joy Division, both bands are terrific but JD was something very special that 99% of all bands never find. Michael Stipe & REm is in my top 5 too---at the #1 position followed by Robert Plant & Led Zeppelin then Jerry Cantrell & Alice In Chains__-still miss Layne most days aight I'm gone

@Naff83

9 жыл бұрын

O.L. Pritchett Cave and the bad seeds if you haven't ventured down that avenue of musical joy yet.

The more times I listen to this, the more astonishing it sounds. Even after 25 years. And one of their best videos too. Just brilliance.

I'm soon to be 64 years old, this song still gives me goosebumps

@LP-cr7jo

Жыл бұрын

Why not? Feelings are ageless. :)

@pipkingdom

9 ай бұрын

I’m 5’ 7 and I like it too…

New Adventures in HI FI, Adore from Smashing Pumpkins and Ok Computer will always be my comfort albums. No matter how much music I listen to, I always come back to them and feel like home.

@jamieparry6744

7 жыл бұрын

okifurbi adore is one of my fav albums aswell :3

@korbendallas7181

7 жыл бұрын

ADORE yes! all the way through!

@tyleranddaniel2039

6 жыл бұрын

okifurbi me tooo!!

@vanhelsing4623

4 жыл бұрын

You have a good musical taste.

“I can smell the sorrow on your breath”. Burns a hole in your mind.

@FlickanIDetKroktaRummet

2 ай бұрын

very Tove Jansson:)

some of stipe's most poignant and poetic work. their best album, too.

New Adventures in Hi-Fi was a great album. I knew it thanks to my mother that like Rem so much. I'll be always in connection Rem and my mother ✨❤️ thank you mum for makes me know REM when I was a child

Michael Stipe is my favourite rapper

@jacekwedroch2167

5 жыл бұрын

agree

@alexk3529

5 жыл бұрын

i never thought of him as a rapper. Cool

@eileenstubington8592

5 жыл бұрын

Kill yr idols

@Ryuhza

5 жыл бұрын

Hey Hey Hey

@olafwitte906

4 жыл бұрын

Stipe on rememberance to Callas. Amazing, honourful.

This is one of my top favorite R.E.M. songs. It is still as cool as the day it was released. The lyrics, music, and those vocals work a magnificent magic. Perfect collaboration. I will always love this band:)

@veshlb

9 жыл бұрын

I agree completely

@PYSCOPOMP

9 жыл бұрын

Lena Lovee' Words of magic. Cheers.

@ms.venable5200

9 жыл бұрын

PYSCOPOMP Thank You. :)

@PYSCOPOMP

9 жыл бұрын

Lena Lovee' leaving new york is second magic. Never easy. :)

@ms.venable5200

9 жыл бұрын

PYSCOPOMP I can only imagine. I've often wanted to experience NYC. At least study art there.

One of their greatest songs an absolute masterpiece , never fails to move me .

1996 has been the darkest year in my life, listening to this album was my only consolation

@jacquelynmccloud1430

19 күн бұрын

1996 was horrible for me too. Glad to see you're still hangin in there in 2023 at least. Good on you. REM has helped me thru a lot over a few decades.

This song takes you way back to the special hidden place in your mind that only you can see, that place you want to share with everyone, but you don’t know the words to explain it, so you stare blankly in their eyes and wish they can experience what you can.

@cherrysnow74

Жыл бұрын

This is eerily accurate.

This is so haunting and an absolute masterpiece which has run through my veins

R.E.M. has written some of the most beautiful songs in music, and this is one of their best.... It's wonderful hearing Patti Smith's voice on this song, and seeing her in the video!

@dirkrichter293

2 жыл бұрын

She drives trough Prag...Czech...

E-bow the Letter is great poetry. Love the line: Aluminum,tastes like fear. Adrenaline, it pulls us near....... Patti Smith's vocals make this song so special!! It is one of R.E.M's finest songs. The lyrics are exceptional & unique. It floored me when I first heard it. It still has that effect on me. It is so unique & different among their catalogue of songs. You can listen to this song over & over and never get tired of it!

I bought this as a single when I was too young to know anything about anything, but I remember thinking, "Oh, I think this is what people are trying to achieve when they talk about writing poetry."

@Caltops78

2 жыл бұрын

Very poetic song. I remember not understanding the lyrics but the music hooked me. I hadn’t even known it was about River Phoenix. Still a song I come back to on KZread often. This song has one of the best comment sections

Sheer brilliance. Still one of my favourite REM songs ever. So hypnotic, poetic, atmospheric, dream-like. Just amazing!

@TriniGamerGirl7

8 жыл бұрын

My goodness, YES! Totally feeling that.

Look up, what do you see? All of you and all of me Fluorescent and starry Some of them, they surprise The bus ride, I went to write this, 4:00 AM This letter Fields of poppies, little pearls All the boys and all the girls sweet-toothed Each and every one a little scary I said your name I wore it like a badge of teenage film stars Hash bars, cherry mash and tinfoil tiaras Dreaming of Maria Callas Whoever she is This fame thing, I don't get it I wrap my hand in plastic to try to look through it Maybelline eyes and girl-as-boy moves I can take you far This star thing, I don't get it I'll take you over, there I'll take you over, there Aluminum, tastes like fear, there Adrenaline, it pulls us near I'll take you over It tastes like fear, there I'll take you over Will you live to 83? Will you ever welcome me? Will you show me something that nobody else has seen? Smoke it, drink Here comes the flood Anything to thin the blood These corrosives do their magic slowly and sweet Phone, eat it, drink Just another chink Cuts and dents, they catch the light Aluminum, the weakest link I don't want to disappoint you I'm not here to anoint you I would lick your feet But is that the sickest move? I wear my own crown and sadness and sorrow And who'd have thought tomorrow could be so strange? My loss, and here we go again I'll take you over, there I'll take you over, there Aluminum, tastes like fear, there Adrenaline, it pulls us near I'll take you over It tastes like fear, there I'll take you over Look up, what do you see? All of you and all of me Fluorescent and starry Some of them, they surprise I can't look it in the eyes Seconal, spanish fly, absinthe, kerosene Cherry-flavored neck and collar I can smell the sorrow on your breath The sweat, the victory and sorrow The smell of fear, I got it I'll take you over, there Aluminum, tastes like fear, there Adrenaline, it pulls us near I'll take you over, there Aluminum, tastes like fear, there Adrenaline, it pulls us near I'll take you over It tastes like fear, there It pulls us near I'll take you over I'll take you over It tastes like fear, there It pulls us near Pulls us near Tastes like fear Tastes like fear Nearer, nearer Pulls us near Over, over, over, over Over, over, over, over Yeah, look over I'll take you there, oh, yeah I'll take you there Oh, over I'll take you there Over, let me I'll take you there I'll take you there There, there, there, baby, yeah

@freeman2399

7 жыл бұрын

The Letter was to River Phoenix.

@calixa

7 жыл бұрын

thanks man

@EdwardGFunk

6 жыл бұрын

BLESS YOU

@innovatecnologiasyservicio7380

4 жыл бұрын

The bus RIde, I went to write this, 4:00 AM This letter Fields of poppies, little pearls All the boys and all the girls sweet-toothed Each and eVERy one a little scary I SAID YOUR NAME.....

I appreciate this song for the boundaries it seems to break through in my head. Whenever I hear this song I feel less I insecure about myself because the lyrics are so naked revealing. This kind of music is a creative masterpiece.

I remember standing in line until midnight on the release date of this album... Bringing it back to my college apt off-campus, and immediately looping it on pirate FM airwaves for 24 hours to let it be heard... This was my favorite track from that album. Haunting. Truly great times.

a letter never finished..................a silent goodbye

@MrMkayultra

4 жыл бұрын

Lu Vi That's what I wrote in my diary .

Arguably their most underrated song.

I remember first seeing this video and hearing the record for the first time on Top of the Pops and being completely blown away by it, I was like 14 or something. I was with a bunch of my friends and it seemed so profound and moving to me, but none of them remember it

Patti’s lyrics are so beautiful and understated ❤

2nd highest charting UK single. Underrated, as was the band!!!

@bollocknaked4190

10 жыл бұрын

Knowledge squire.

@2degucitas

5 жыл бұрын

Glenn Horne Never heard it played here in the USA. But then, my cities radio sucks.

So evocative. I get chills and goosebumps every time I listen to it.

In 96 I was 15...this song was ephemeral, but never ending....stuck in a moment of evanescence....REM was the end and the beginning....everlasting melody......this was the endless vibe of everything that came before, after and has existed ever since....oh such bliss!

Patti's voice rising like an angel. Scorching, beautiful lyrics.

I got this album a day early because I had a friend who worked at the local Target, i was 16. I remember playing this album non stop, including on Homecoming night. It never worked out with the girl, she later said the date was weird because “he listened to rem all night”. Lol. So this reminds me of homecoming night as a 16 year old, driving my shined up 1993 Audi 90cs

@peteowen3539

4 жыл бұрын

Bob Marley yes I got the odd REM album a day early too. Couldn’t wait to get my hands on them

PATTI SMITHS VOICE SURELY MAKES THIS SONG ONE OF THE GREATEST EVER RECORDED

@johnstanley708

10 жыл бұрын

listen out for patti smiths voice it is truly magnificent

I miss you a lot! You made your sad songs into the most beautiful medicine that healed my broken soul into something beautiful and I also thank God who has created beautiful REM.....I was lucky enough to see you live in Roskilde festival in 1999 and in Gothenburg, Sweden

Takes me to a different dimension of solitude, and gives me a sensation of well-being and calm ,poetry and beauty in motion, timeless masterpiece

always felt a special connection to this song, Patty's voice is so hauntingly beautiful. one of rems best and that says a lot, R.I.P. River

Will you live to eighty-three? Will you ever welcome me? Will you show me something that nobody else has seen? It gets me every time.

I've listened to this song close to 200 times since it dropped. ☘️ EVERYTIME it gives me goosebumps! 😲 Masterpiece. 👌

@patrickmullen516

Жыл бұрын

Are you a Murphy? I believe that is Gaelic for "sea battler."

Indiscutiblemente la música del siglo pasado fué increíble y mejor creada. Gracias a Dios pude vivir la época dorada de la música. Mis saludos desde Argentina.

@marthaadrianagutierrezhern6534

2 жыл бұрын

Opinono lo mismo es la mejor decada de esta musica increible

As magical as the first time i heard it. This song makes me fight to be happy.

I love how R.E.M.'s lyrics shift & change over the years, but I can't believe that it took almost 25 years for me to realize that Patti's vocalizing the siren song of addiction's promise of relief. I'm sitting here kind of shocked right now -- this struck me, I dunno, half an hour ago? Age hasn't calfified my brain yet, glee!

The further away we get from REM's break up, the wonderful and totally unique I realise their music is. I've always been a fan, but my love for their back catalogue just keeps growing with each listen

@andrewbloor6391

2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree, and glad that they've not got back together in that we can look back at what a great back catalogue they left us

1996 was one of my favorite years of existence. This song reminds me of that wonderful time.

what a huge, huge, huge song.

I listen to all kinds of music from different eras but am starting to think that REM may just be the best band ever ... this track is epic

@bryanbentley5342

3 жыл бұрын

I am right there with you.Huge Tool fan,Kyuss,Pantera,Stevie Wonder(innervisions OMG)and REM just has this range of musical & lyrical mastery that is unmatched.

@josefinebliss2801

Жыл бұрын

Agreed. I only just got into them but I know they inspired the grunge bands i've loved for years and probably other bands I listen to as well, to some degree. No one is like Stipe though, truly. What a writer and with such a unique beautiful voice... It's a great sadness that R.E.M. are no longer active.

Almost 25 years old already, the 90's were the best by far.

Breezy autumn evening with sun warming my 16 year old face as I try to figure everything out, walking down the empty country road... We come a long way since then, but the memories remain strong as ever. Thanks Michael and the band for everything you did for me back in the day. Forever grateful.

At a loss for words to describe... R.E.M. just says how feel in my deepest soul. A safe place for my soul. That music helped me recover from the suicide of my first love. At was there when no words could help.

Some cracking shots of 1990’s Prague, love the central train station. It has a public piano and a random guy once sang and dedicated a song to me as I was sat on the floor waiting for my train. Super track from REM as well, it is now my favourite after seeing this video.

@janloudin1033

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, should be noted that whole Patti Smith part was shot in Prague. 3:57-3:59 is National Theatre building on the right.

Listening this over 20 years later. Nothing short of a masterpiece.

Simply wow nearly all their songs either bring a memorable moment back or a tear to the eye untouchable

It's a little strange to see someone walking the same path, through the same sights picking up the same little quirks and wonders of Prague as I had done a few years prior to Patti Smith....awesome song and video, very haunting and mysterious and brings back many images and thoughts of a beautiful city

@PYSCOPOMP

9 жыл бұрын

Tony White WHO WOULD THOUGHT TOMORROW WE BE SO STRANGE?

@4ever242

6 жыл бұрын

Wow...nice words..greetings from Prague

@forthedisenfranchised4366

3 жыл бұрын

@@4ever242 Greetings to you too, I have quiet a few times, but not for 2 years maybe....I always look forward to the next visit, lovely country and people.

When I first heard this song, I thought they had gone off the pretentious art-rock deep end. After hearing it another three or four times, I realized just how beautiful and brilliant it really is. Such a finely crafted piece.

When it came out I just became 18 and started traveling the world on my own, collecting memories that are still strong and present as if it were yesterday. And in these memories I remember Central Europe (where I'm from) and the states just like in that video, at the end of the 90s. The cars, the buildings, the trams in Prague. Feels like a time machine.

I grew up hearing the more popular R.E.M. albums from the radio and my parents' CDs. As I became a teen I discovered most of their 80s IRS material and fell in love with it. For some reason songs from this album didn't start to click with me until I became an adult on my own, and now I value this album just as much if not more than stuff from Out of Time or AFTP.

It was one of my favourite songs in 96 and I've just been reminded of it. Pure poetry

I saw these guys twice in my high school days. I will always love Michael Mike Peter and Bill. All equally talented

I am listening to this song for the first time, and wow! It makes me want to hear more from R.E.M. This song also reminds me of the gradual changes in rock music throughout the decades. Lots of words, often in a double time feel. No high notes, keeping the mood depressed, but yearning to get out of that dark place. Feels like I am wanting something - not hopelessly - honestly - reaching.

Man. Nostalgic vibes. First R.E.M. single i bought being a new fan and bought New Adventures In Hi-Fi as it came out new, having just finally becoming a fan❤

Prague looked gloomy and dreary in the nineties. Surreal atmosphere with Patti Smith and her tram with number 14. The Main Railway station used to be shelter for all beaten people of Prague. Fantastic song. Fabulous lyric. Magnificent clip.

Here comes the flood of memories from the late 90's teenage years...last time I heard this song was probably about 20 years ago. Strange, how I was foolishly sure back then I wouldn't ever be suicidal again. Bipolar doesn't go away.

This is one of my favorite REM songs. I love songs that sound like the night/moon/stars.

Love the sound of a poem spoken to music. Words spoken from a great musician ❤

i bought this when i lived in chicago. from sc. mike made me feel at home with that beautiful accent and genius way with words that we southerners have (re: clemmens)

I love listening to such a beautiful song like this one and reading all the comments, how you discovered it, what you were going through. It's like sharing a nostalgy that isn't mine. Peace.

This songs always brings me down. But I love it and play it again. No, I never had a drug problem. No, doesn't remmind me a familiar or boyfriend or friend who had been adiccted or died with drug abuse. Because of the barrier of language (I'm from Argentina) I had to google the lyric and the translation is to hard. Because of the metaphor that he use and tried to related with the theme of the song, and give it a sense. Anyway, beyond River Phoenix... Beyond the drugs, this song give me a melancholia, kind of sad. Even gave me that feelings when I was a 12 year old kid and listened (watched) on MTV. And of course, had no idea what the lyrics was about. I guess sometimes, the music and melody is enough to transmit those feelings. Even when the person doesn't get the lyrics *Sorry my poor english*

@cynthia.marina

7 жыл бұрын

+Erick Ramirez Exactamente... También transmite calma. Es como todo junto ¡Sublime, perfecto!

@davidmenezes5576

5 жыл бұрын

poético

@lyubakarelina2702

4 жыл бұрын

I think he is melancholic himself

@aokottawa

3 жыл бұрын

I'm a native English speaker - I don't really listen to the lyrics on this, but it makes me feel melancholic too. It's the sounds, the voices.

To z pewnością najlepszy zespół rockowy na świecie oby ciągle , nagrywali , tak , jak , dalej , każdą , płytę , w , innym klimacie .

I remember the day this song came out.... just fell in love with it. But now hardly anyone knows it :( I think it's one of REM's top 3 songs.

Criminally underrated? No, criminally ignored.

@lukesters7234

3 жыл бұрын

It’s having a Renaissance critically. Fans always knew how good it was

@milliemitchell7716

2 жыл бұрын

I look it as some ppl not being worthy of loving this.

Stipe and Smith - two amazing Capricorns with those deep moody vocals. I have loved this song for many years and listening to it never fails to be an incredible immersive experience of emotion and wonder. It's a gem that many people are sadly unfamiliar with *love*

Uma de minhas músicas favoritas, toda vez que ouço me traz uma paz e uma vontade de chorar, aí quando vc acha que a música acaba e vem Patti Smith em sua simplicidade e acaba de nos destroçar por dentro linda música...

Patti Smith's voice sends shivers up my spine every time I listen to this song.

I first heard New Adventures in Hi-fi in 1997 and love it more now than I did then. REM will always be enjoyed.

@idabeniamin

5 жыл бұрын

Stephanie Austin ulucdvmgrlnfmmdn7cgbgf njtjjdmnfmmh Ggtkf74fgdg6vicdhhhgjyghhglitgjrvbhhjkjkhjhjkjjikjhhpgkhfkjjjhgjjhjjj

se mi chi dessero la canzone preferita di sempre, direi questa. Ha un potere evocativo, una carica di malinconia struggente. L'unica che mi riporta agli anni '90 al concerto Rem a Bologna, nostalgia incolmabile.

@madeco_39

2 жыл бұрын

Fantastico. 💚

Didn’t appreciate this song at the time, love it now.

@keithjones6023

3 жыл бұрын

A lot of great songs take time to grow on you.