REM, Losing My Religion- A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- #rem
Isn’t it amazing how music can evoke specific geographical locations? Even if I had not known that this band originated in Georgia, this song immediately gave me the distinct feeling of taking place somewhere in the southeastern US.
Here’s the link to the original song by REM:
• R.E.M. - Losing My Rel...
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Amy Shafer, LRSM, FRSM, RYC, is a classical harpist, pianist, and music teacher, Director of Piano Studies and Assistant Director of Harp Studies for The Harp School, Inc., holds multiple degrees in harp and piano performance and teaching, and is active as a solo and collaborative performer. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she teaches privately, presents masterclasses and coaching sessions, and has performed and taught in Europe and USA.
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Credits: Music written and performed by REM
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Michael Stipe is a artist.
Not a technical singer but someone who understands how to use his instrument artistically.
There’s just so much passion, you can see it when he dances. And the dancing was improvised by the way, it doesn’t get any more authentic than that
This is why I absolutely love this channel. You can come at one of my all-time favourite songs as a first-time listener and teach me more about the meaning and the construction in a few minutes than I had picked up in half a lifetime of casual listening. It goes to show the value of a musical education - whether it be modern or classical. And you manage to do it in a way that doesn't destroy it - turning the song into a biology specimen, pinned out and dissected. If anything it's more alive - hearing all those things I've missed, somehow, on every previous listen. Nicely done!
But do you really want to understand everything about it. Or let it be like magic and just enjoy it. Not figure out and letting it be a mystery.
@@robertcain9682 The more you know, the more you know that you don't know. More magic is created.
@@stevengifford7457 true
Had the same reaction to the Bohemian Rhapsody videos. Transformed my understanding and joy when listening to new levels.
Very well,said!
This isn't my favorite R.E.M. song, but it's certainly an important one to me. This is the song that got my attention and made me start listening to what would become my all-time favorite band. I was about 17, in high school and closeted. I was terrified to express the things I felt and was constantly looking for hints that someone else was having these feelings too. This song is the first time in my life I felt understood in that way.
I really wish you'd do some more R.E.M. songs. Everybody Hurts is the next obvious one you should do. I'd particularly like to hear your take on Country Feedback (even though that one was never a single.)
I bought the cassette the first week of release. I had it on my boombox at work and "Losing my Religion" started. My boss stopped and listened to the whole song. That old, retired army sergeant looked at me and said, "That is f.....g poetry".
I hope she will ALWAYS say "music movie" - so dang charming.
You really caught onto something with the vocals often rising then coming down, emphasizing a sadness or frustration; maybe even a feeling of defeat. I really love how you catch subtle things like this, it makes my appreciation of a great song that much higher. This is why the world is a better place with people like you in it, sharing your gifts. Much gratitude to you. 🙏
This is my favourite song of all time.
It's also a song that doesn't have a chorus. It's a verse only structure.
The phrase "losing my religion" is something you might hear older people say in the south. It means, basically, being at the end of your rope. I lived in Georgia for a few years, and at one of my jobs, my boss was an older African American woman, and one day when she was having a lot of stuff dumped on her, I heard her mutter "I'm about to lose my religion". The song obviously plays with the two ways that phrase could be interpreted.
I don't know that this would be classified as "southern rock". Southern rock, as a genre, would have more blues influence (and maybe a little bit of country influence too). The Allman brothers are southern rock.
It also means that you’re up late Saturday night partying trying to keep up with you and too hung over to go to church on Sunday morning hence you’re losing your religion.
REM are from Georgia
@@BrianCharles-p3x I'm aware. I lived in Athens for 6 years
I’ve not listened to this song in years. I’m only 9 minutes in and have tears streaming down my face. This song/ video hits my heart and soul so hard and deep.
Everybody hurts would’ve been a better choice. The video was intriguing too
Not commenting would have been a better choice...
Same here. I'd forgotten the genius of Michael Stipe.
@@marcussmorisha1738 ? What's your point ?
Dude that's Norm funny. Thank you @@lynby6231for that laugh 🐵
As a college student I delivered pizza in Seattle. Every Friday night Peter Buck ordered pizza for his daughter. Truly a genuine and kind person. Can’t say enough good things about him.
Also I hear he plays mandolin sometimes
I believe the "wilting" style of singing is a great way to express the way the singer felt anger and frustration to the point of exhaustion. The song is about him watching his lover flirt with everyone constantly, and he is angry, hurt, frustrated, and embarrassed. He is dying inside and is emotionally spent. So a wilting plant is a great analogy for the singing style. Their relationship is like a plant dying slowly in the southern summer heat.
The monotonous/ repetitive riff could be a way that stresses that these actions by the singer and his lover are repetitive. They have had this same argument and been hurt many times.
If you want another REM song, the song I'm going to recommend (one Classical Music nerd to another) is "Nightswimming". It's REM's most purely beautiful song, has a lovely arrangement featuring strings (arranged by John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin) and even an oboe solo. Mike Mills, who wrote the song, liked it enough that he even adapted it as one movement of the violin concerto he wrote for Robert McDuffie.
I could listen to Stipe and Mills harmonize all day. Their voices complement each other so well.
The bass playing is superb.
Im one of the old farts who got to see the video at the time of its release.
Along with song, which is timeless, the video hasnt aged a day and is a staple of how great the music video art of the 90s was.
You dont see stuff like this today anymore.
Your comment about the Southern phrase 'Losing my religion' is spot on. Having grown up in Florida, I did not hear it a lot but, while most think it is losing your temper, I feel (especially as used here) it means losing your faith. And in this instance, losing faith in yourself and your perceptions. Michael Stipe is gay (or bi) and I think coming out romantically to your best friend is the focus of this song. There are homoerotic hints in the video. Of course, music can be universal and not so narrowly focused. But this is my take. The song hit me hard.
As a 73 yr. old gay man, I have TWICE come out to straight best friends romantically. It is terrifying for all that things you fear can be lost (looking for love in all the wrong places). The internal anguish of wondering if he feels the same way, or could feel the same way if only I had the courage to say something. So many of the images and phrases scream this situation to me.
The spilt milk at the beginning of the video is key. If I express my feelings there is no going back to the same relationship. If I say too much, will I be ostracized (or worse)? Rejection is one thing in a 'normal' heterosexual relationship and it hurts, but to have so much baggage associated with coming on to your best friend, one of the same sex, is excruciating. Held in respect before, will all that be lost. I believe that is what the fallen angel images represent. "Choosing my confessions" Unsure of your own perceptions, perhaps all this IS a fantasy. "I think I thoughtI saw you try"
Yeah the hopelessness in pursuing love very much ties into trying to reach through the heteronormative veil us queer people are shrouded in. I really do think the video does a great job of portraying this aspect of the song. ❤
Also, I hope you're not still living in Florida, or if you are, you're safe; I've heard that things are getting really dicey there politically in terms of discrimination, regressively so, and that there is this pervasive air of hostility.
@@collinbeal Been in Colorado since '82. I will give you a Florida status report, since I am visiting my sister and family in a week with my husband of 37 years. Though my folks did not 'know' of my orientation, they knew. Both our families have been very supportive. When we visited Florida last year I saw none of the negativity you mention, in fact I had a warm reunion with one of the two men I mentioned above. The other straight guy moved out to Colorado where I accidentally introduced him to his future wife. They got married, two kids and we are still close. So not all gay relationships are fraught. My friends in Florida are supportive and kind. I only wish the rest of the world was the same way. Peace.
An important part of this song I think is the cycling that goes on in his mind, the monotony of thinking this again going over it, going over how you went over it, the second, third, fourth guessing of every little detail, the focus, what could I have done differently...torture of "loosing" the love you maybe realize you never had, but could you have? That was just a dream, but then back around again. This song conveys this state of mind so well.
Like a feverish dream
REM did so much good music they became their own sound. Like Beatles, Who, U2, B52's, RUSH ect. Nice review. Cheers,
Whilst I am mostly an AC/DC, Led Zep, Rainbow fan, I do love REM’s sound. Please have a listen to Everybody Hurts - would love to see your reaction to that
My suggestion exactly… Everybody hurts
It’s almost like a chant, but very soothing in a way🎶🎶🎶
How to make an old Gen x dude cry....just play that song and add booze.😢
I’ve always found REM fascinating and this song in particular is so layered and as a southern girl I can say this is not southern rock. But the band are southerners and I hear that in their alternative music as well. The lead singer seems to be going through some personal issues which we can all relate to. They are a cerebral band with complex music and lyrics. Thanks for breaking it down as always your reactions are appreciated.
One of the best songs in music history in my opinion, thank you for your analysis! :)
I just watched an interview with the band. Michael said this song is about unrequited love and it had no rights to be a hit. Peter picked up a mandolin that was in the studio and plucked away (for the 1st time ever). Michael said 'what was that' Peter said 'I don't know' Michael started singing to it. They built the song up that day and the next day played it only once in the recording studio, that recording is the one that we hear on the L.P today (Don't mess with perfection hey)... next thing you know its their biggest hit. How often do we hear that about a bands biggest song.
Beautiful musical analysis. The lady in this video obviously knows music. Well done!
One of the best songs ever written of any genre and one of the best music movies of all time.
One of the lesser-known effects of this song's popularity is that there was a slight increase in sales of ukuleles, as people in indie bands realized that a ukulele can emulate the dynamics of mandolins and banjos when covering songs like this. Anyone who plays guitar can fairly easily pick up a uke and work it into their arrangements.
"Emulate" is a strong word, at least in 99% of cases.
Talk Show Host....please ,please, please. Its an amazing work.
My Lord this is a great analysis. With 20:41 minutes in, I now understand the little differences that I didn't catch before.
The vocals now seem to have a relation with the melodies. Not the lyrics but the tones and change of notes.
We live in a wonderful world where a pro classical musician like Virgin Rock can teach us all these details.
Liked and subscribed.
A very beautiful song, one of the best I've heard after the Beatles. The singer and the band have done great in the arrangements and lyrics.
You might have somehow missed Steely Dan, Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul’s entire solo career, Elvis Costello, Graham Parker, Squeeze, Joe Jackson, and James Taylor. Maybe I was lucky.
@@ed.z. No, I don’t. I’ve heard all of them, but even so I maintain my choice.
Great job Amy. I grew up in North Carolina and "losing my religion" meant that you're fed up with the person or thing. You're at the end of your string. I met these guys several times and Pete Buck is a fan of blue grass music which came out of the Appalachian mountains. That probably explains the extensive use of mandolin here.
That really explains the intro to I Believe
I think I read somewhere that just before he wrote this song he'd recently acquired a mandolin and thought it be cool to use it in a song. I don't think before this he'd ever played the instrument despite being an accomplished guitar player so this makes it even more impressive to me that he could just play and adapt to a new instrument.
Everybody is unique, but you Amy, are really special because you combine a vast knowledge of (classical) music theory and culture with a almost total ignorance of pop (rock) music. And I am saying this in a positive way. It's an incredible experience to hear these great rock songs of the past 60 years for the first time, with your musical background you can pick up so much more than let's say a 14 year old teenager who hears them for the first time.
So happy that you've now met my all-time favorite band! The "sound" of R.E.M. emerges from the unusual way they wrote their songs. The band would fully-create the music without any idea what Michael Stipe would sing, melodically or lyrically. They would give him the finished tune and then he would create his element. And their philosophy was that the vocals were simply another instrument, no more important than the others; so they tended to be melodically simple as well as mixed down and less prominent than traditional rock and pop. In addition, for most of their career, they refused to publish their lyrics - all of this combined with Michael's notorious shyness as a lead singer gave the words an enigmatic quality that allowed listeners to map their own emotional experience onto the songs. And it emphasized the incredible vulnerability and feeling his singing expresses, as you noticed. Every breath, every sudden surge or drop in intensity, you get this sense of authentic, desperate yearning.
Another band member, Mike Mills, has been called the greatest backup vocal in rock, because has an absolutely lovely vocal quality - ringing with clarity and warmth. On some of their songs like "Near Wild Heaven" he gets to sing lead and you can enjoy what a great singer he is. But it was Michael Stipe's powerful ability to channel and communicate these private feelings that made the band legendary for so many people.
I’ve always deeply loved this song for multiple reasons, but your break-down really expands my understanding of WHY it means so much to me. For this, I owe you many thanks. Beautiful analysis; I stand in awe of your sensitivity, especially on a first-listen basis. ❤
Great analysis and you have picked up a lot of things about who REM are from one short song. Yes they is a big Southern influence. They were initially part of an alternative rock movement that was sometimes called alt country. They were influenced by a lot of British bands but applied there Southern influence to it. From the 60s to this day there has been this fusion of UK and US bands influencing each other but applying their own local influences. REM music is very melodic and introspective. In the early days (music was very good) Michael Stipe was a very shy frontman and it took him a while to become more confident in the role. Part of that was also coming to terms with his sexuality and this song is partly about that. There is a lot of good music to explore in their catalogue and in alternative rock in general.
I am really impressed by this analysis and it actually helped me to understand why I feel that deep connection to this song.
Always an intellectual treat listening to your musical autopsies. No exception here, watching your arms “air conduct,” like rock fans “air guitar,” just hit me. Keep doing it. That aside, listen and comment to REM Everybody Hurts; love to hear your take.
Thanks for your great reaction and analysis!
I love this song! But „everybody hurts“ is the most emotional song (it’s about a taboo topic and the deep sad lyrics are just outstanding like the video!
Cliff died in a tragic tour bus accident in 1986. Coming from a similar background as Cliff, I figure he simply liked the melodies, and the interesting guitar parts-and maybe the somber sounds of this music.
Cliff was a bass player. But as Kirk Hammett says, Cliff always had his acoustic guitar with him to play. And he would ask Kirk for help when needed.
REM was kind of a different band in the mid 80s. He probably was listening to stuff like Murmur and Fables of the Reconstruction. Cliff was the "musician" in the band so it's not so difficult to believe that he would be into a band that wasn't "metal"
He was definitely the most musically open-minded member of the band.
I never knew what "Losing My Religion" actually meant and I get it. For me the song evokes the feelings I had when I was suffering from depression. In a way it was comforting because it expressed how I felt when I couldn't find the words.
In case you were wondering, the song is about "unrequited love" - The love which is felt by only one side and is never reflected back. It is about your crush to which you are afraid to tell your feelings.
Another great analysis Amy. The voice of Michael is great and the way he sings are really a fundamental point here. Thank you.
I had been listening to them for many years before they won Best New Group. Great analysis, the vocal dynamic is very much like exhaustion after each attempt to rise. I think a great follow up would be Everybody Hurts, another one where the video is essential, possibly even more than this one. It is a song that has been credited with saving many lives, I won’t spoil it more than that.
Forgive me, I am travelling overseas and am unable to at this time. But in brief, it’s not especially complex in any way, chord and melodic complexity are fairly temperate, no special progressions or anything like that, but it’s lyrical and performative elements are wonderful, it’s a very interesting contrast to this song, and the video…it’s just remarkable. I know you always pay close attention, but in this case it will be especially rewarding. And as I said, few songs have had as much real impact on the lives of others. Ciao from Tuscany. 🙂
REM was also classified as "college rock" because their lyrics were a little more ambitious and their base audience was current and recent college students. A companion band at the time was 10,000 Maniacs, also worth a dive. I'd strongly recommend the song "Eden."
I’d go for What’s The Matter Here? or Trouble Me. A friend’s daughter fell in love with Eat For Two when she was a pregnant 18 year old worried about the future. 10,000 Maniacs and R.E.M. are like adjacent pieces in a jigsaw.
Both excellent bands - The Indigo Girls (though a duo) were of a similar mold.
Nope need Neil Young Way better and also very overdue instead of wimpy Queen
@@darrenjones5885 Of course, Amy might be interested in Verdi Cries, too.
Not enough negative energy for southern rock. Like comparing apples to elephants.
I have to appreciate a musician who acknowledges the effect that the heat and humidity of the South has on the music of the region. Sure, the English, Scottish, Irish, French, Spanish, West African, and Native American influences are all essential, but so is the fact that it all happened in a place that practically boils in the summer. Excellent observation.
The strings came in and there it was... The raised eyebrow I was waiting for, as you not only heard the strings but gave a detailed musical explanation for their use. Made my day. Thank you!😅
Try a listen to 'Driver 8' by this band. Some southern themes. This song has always moved me
I love how Amy speaks, reacts, understands, and analyzes music with such sensitivity and passion. I learn new truths and perspectives on musical pieces that I've heard thousands of times. Excellent job. Wonderful channel. Thank you so much! Please consider analyzing the recordings and compositions of Radiohead (Paranoid Android), The Police (Every Little Thing She Does is Magic), Jim Croce (Time in a Bottle), The Cure (Just Like Heaven), Faith No More (Epic), Bee Gees (How Deep is Your Love), Alice in Chains (Would?), and Marvin Gaye (What's Going On).
It is refreshing to see her actually so interested in song
I’m so happy you reviewed this! REM is one of my favorite bands of all time and they have such an extensive discography.
What is amazing to me is that this song is placed in the alternative genre, AND Smells,Like Teen Spirit is also called alternative…..(when it’s not called punk grunge). And yet, they are so totally different in style. Which begs the question: What does “alternative” really mean as a genre?
Consider this, the hint of the century...
This might just be my favorite song with mainstream appeal and broad recognition. I've been clinically depressed for the last 20 years of my life basically non-stop (over 2/3 of my life), and music like this that conveys sadness, frustration, and hopelessness in such a visceral way is very cathartic and palliative for me, "therapeutic", as you said.
Very enjoyable analysis - thank you. I feel that the phrase losing my religion, as you said, is not necessarily about losing your temper, but more being at the end of your tether and not able to take any more. I also really like the lines about saying too much or not enough. Very evocative of teenage angst when wanting to say enough to communicate your interest to the object of your desire but not wanting to say too much and frighten them off by your intensity. Probably all the more difficult in Michael Stipes life as I believe he struggled for a long time about coming out as gay.
During a bad relationship this song encapsulated my feelings at the time, love it, Thx
REM was a great college rock band. Radio free Europe is another great song by them. I think it was their earliest hit. They are worth a deep dive for sure. Very talented.
I was obsessed with this group for many years. Many of their tracks went very deep for me; this isn't really one of them, though pleasant enough. The first 4 or 5 tracks on Automatic For The People are superb'. Some others off the top of my head: Bang & Blame, Perfect Circle, Oddfellows Local 151, The Occupation, Saturn Return ... so many great tracks. Stipe's voice is so plaintive, so full of longing. A truly wonderful group.
Also, may I recommend early P J Harvey? I always do 😁
I love Stipe & PJ Harvey endlessly. I also find "losing My Religion" too-clever-by-half pop music. I prefer the more soulful tunes you mention. Fables of the Reconstruction was an album that hit me deep.
ua-cam.com/video/PZDttTHeDEI/v-deo.html
This is a very fine introduction to my favorite band. You got a lot out of this one and you pretty much figured out the lyrics in one go-- it's a song about being interested in someone else but too scared to make the first move. Hope to see R.E.M. revisited somewhere down the road. They've got a wealth of gorgeous songs in their catalogue.
I was going through the process of separation and divorce when this song played on the airwaves of 99.1 WHFS Washington/Baltimore Alternative Rock station. You recognized every emotion this song was communicating, which was every emotion I was experiencing at the time. What a sad song to go with the saddest period of my life. It's all in the past but it still hurts to listen to this song. Thank you for your analysis, I value your opinions.
I like Orange Crush much better
WHFS. That was the station to hear amazing music.
I love that you called it a "Music Movie".
I actually bought a mandolin because of this song. I still can’t play the damn thing very well, but it has a nice sound. Great song.
Same here.
Wonderful insights. Thank you for bringing out the essence of this classic song.
Thanks for the very good analysis of this song. I agree that it is loss of "Hope"
Amy, I saw them twice in Nashville; Cantrell's in 1982 and the War Memorial Auditorium around 1984. They were incredible. Athens produced wonderful bands, but they were the best artistically. The 1982 show was remarkable as they were still unknowns, still doing a first set of covers, in a small crappy club, playing to students mostly. The EP had come out. The 1984 show was Fables of the Reconstruction tour, which was already a mature work, and highly danceable too. Of course, The B-52s were the best party band. Love Tractor was interesting too. R.E.M. had a touch of cow punk, like Jason and the Scorchers, but what made them stand out was the jangling guitars, a 60s throwback sound unlike punk or most new wave bands. The whole catalog is important.
The feeling of The South runs through so much of their music. My all-time favorite American band.
I love the way in which with a lot of propriety and base you say that it is a very simple melody, without ever disrespecting the author. This time the focus is on the voice and I agree with that. The voice is what makes this song great.
The phrase "losing my religion" is a colloquial expression from the southern region of the United States that means "losing one's temper or civility" or "feeling frustrated and desperate."
The song is about unrequited love, about the frustration that comes of feeling love for someone but not having it returned.
I swear, the way you dissect a song, it's like poetry!
You are feeling along the structure with your emotions! It's poetry!
So love this!
I'm so loving the way you're taking "Losing My Religion" and turning it into a sermon about the human condition, about sharing each other's humanity!
I was at University when this REM was just becoming popular and i eas taking a music appreciation class.and one student asked the professor why can you teach us about music using examples of music that WE like. And i thought yes, wouldn't that make it much more interesting. Now 44 years you are finally doing it . Thank you very much .
It does get slightly warmer (briefly) on that F major chord in "I thought that I heard you laughing", a nice touch
"... along with a solid rock beat", as you say at the end there. I was living in Germany when this came out, and I went to some kind of Christmas or New Year rock music dance party. Despite the sad themes that you rightly highlight in both the lyrics and the music, when this came on everyone in the place was up and dancing and going wild, myself included and I've never been much of a dancer.
I think certain images in the video are inspired by a short story by Gabriel Garcia Marquez - "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings". It's a touching piece and well worth a read.
Us Brits do quite well in rock and electronic music, for a little island with a middling population size.
The land without music was merely biding its time, awaiting the electrification of the lute and harpsichord.
All that time, our folk and popular song traditions were building to something nobody in the early 1900s would see coming. We were primed to adore and adopt blues, jazz and rock music from that history of popular songs being more relevant than orchestra in British culture.
Much love and admiration ❤️
Excellent! This song is an absolute classic and I'm glad you included it on your journey!
"A promo video is simply an advertisement for a song"
I don't think this is the case, but its a fun quote. This sentence opens the videoclip of Babies by Pulp, also from the 90s, and a must hear band and song Amy.
Loved this. Do another R.E.M. Find The River - Nightswimming - Try Not To Breath - Perfect Circle.
I would recommend R.E.M. Drive next!
Perfect analysis 👍
Once again requesting Paranoid Android, if not an entire Radiohead series. Influenced heavily by REM, Radiohead made an impact on 90s and 00s rock comparable to Queen and The Beatles before them. Their compositions are super unique and practically begging for deep dive analyses.
My favorite youtube creator reacted to my favorite song! Thank you Amy
You got it Amy - Michael Stipe (the singer) said it was a love song
I do like this track which was their breakthrough mainstream hit, I guess, but I hope you find time to try "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)" from their '84 album "Reckoning". I think it's beautiful and easily one of their best. I love it as much now at a ripe old age as I did then, when I was 12!
What a Beautiful Voice & Song it was written for him, only Michael could, do it. the arrangement is Fabulous, and I once sang Opera.😊❤ Thank you Amy
It was a big hit because it is a great song, not because of the video.
I loved this song from the first, and never saw the video until years later.
Tis a good video thoe
Losing my religion is apparently a Southern phrase that means 'losing my temper'. I did not know this until recently.
I have the proud distinction of actually being in this video. If you look closely on the left at 8 mins 50 seconds..
That's me in the corner..
In the spotlight?
..Looking for your religion???
A sister group to REM is the B-52's. They are both about the same age and both from Athens. Members of both groups were art majors at the University of Georgia.
The two things “southern” are the mandolin and the phrase, “losing my religion”.
Regards from Texas where weather is something to ignore until it changes any minute. Here, 100 degrees Fahrenheit is brisk, where is my sweatshirt?
Okay Amy, if you like REM you need to listen to their song " it's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine ". You might not like it more but , you will like it. Much more upbeat. Sort of like an Intellectual College rap song. Lol
26:25: "... last - few - words"
Woow... What an amazing comment!
Your analysis perfectly encapsulates what I am currently experiencing. I don't say this to attain sympathy but it is uncanny how your interpretation evokes everything I am going through to the utmost.
Thank you for making this song a cathartic outlet for me.
REM has some big experiences to offer you! Everybody Hurts and Shiny Happy People will be interesting after this.
Absolutely love the way you break down the music..
Incredible analysis. I love your perspective. MORE, please. :)
I was so pleased to see this song pop up. It is one of a half dozen I wanted most to hear your analysis. PLEASE review the video also (separately). This song says a lot to me. Catchy. Infectious.
"The most flexible thing about this is the voice."
Thank you for this observation, Ms. Shafer. I've always liked this song, but never really listened to it. Now you have helped me understand why I paid attention.
But there's something more. As a guitar student I am constantly amazed by how many different songs are based on the same three chords played in roughly the same order. But the melody and rythmic treatments make all the difference in the musical quality or expression of the piece. An imperfect example of this might be "Love Me Do" by the Beatles and "Blowin in the Wind" by Bob Dylan: Same chords, very different songs.
You'd think that folk music would cease to exist because every tonal variation was exhausted long ago. But folk music doesn't cease to exist.
REM is in many ways to music what Monty Python is to comedy. So emphatically illustrative, so often bizarre, and so imminently quotable.
eminently
IN !MY FAVOURITE SONG EVER
Thanks Amy. The song that I completely forgot about; and one of the few songs these days that will be added to my playlist. All I will say in my defence is that the 90's are mostly a blurred memory for me!!!
Great song, great band and great commentary by Amy.
I agree with everything Amy said about this song and I am not sure that I had fully picked up on the "wilting" nature of this song over the years. I am certain though that this is the effect that the band was aiming for, it is not a trait of Michael Stipe or the band. There's certainly no wilting effect in songs like "It's the end of the world as we know it" or the very sensual and beautiful "Sometimes".
R.E.M. is not a Southern Rock genre band, although this song sounds like it, this instrumental could be the backing of a Tom Petty song in my imagination. The genre is "alternative Rock". They were a great band (although I am not the biggest fan), many great hit songs, each of their albums is of great quality, all be it that, for me, "Document" stands out above, they were impactful, wildly successful including internationally and a live act that captured the crowd.
Now that you've learned that circa 1991 talent exploded in one very specific geographical location, Seattle, WA in Grunge music, 7-9 years before the same happened in Athens, Georgia, although it was not a specific genre of music. Early to mid 80's, all the sudden all these bands arise from the college town Athens, R.E.M., The Indigo Girls and Hootie and the Blowfish (although originally from South Carolina, the latched on to the Athons vibe) to name a few.
Thanks Amy and Vlad!
Thanks for sharing, Amy. Among my favorite R.E.M. tracks. Excellent points regarding the interpretation of the lyrics and vocal. Shawn R., Mo-Mutt Music/Sacred & Secular
There’s an interview where he talks about how he fell in love with the spot light while in the church, but that he also didn’t belong, and so the Losing my Religion part has double meaning, that southern saying but it was also a direct experience
Have you ever thought about doing harp covers and compiling them on a CD for sale to your subscribers? I'd be interested.
In a heartbeat!
It depends, because I think she's more involved in the teaching and performing aspects of music than arranging, and arranging pieces to suit them to the harp would take considerable time and effort. If you want to hear some excellent harp music, I can't recommend the album "Down By the Glenside: Songs of Ireland" by Mary O'Hara enough. It's Irish folk with voice and harp. If you want a contemporary singer/songwriter who uses the harp, my favorite artist, Joanna Newsom, fits that bill.