@@avenueb We're slicing hairs. At certain times any of their first four could be my favorite. With the exception of Murmur. It's great, but doesn't grab me like the next three.
Fables is #5 favorite album in my life. But to me ANY album from their I.R.S. years is top of the line. I even enjoy Dead Letter Office because they were just having a good time with that one.
Nope...Those are both great albums. However, Document #5 , is Easily their best album. Welcome to the Occupation, End of the World ( as we know it), One I Love, King of birds, Etc....There isn't a Bad song on the album. And Soooo many GREAT ones. Second would probably be Automatic for the People, or Out of Time, both absolutely Mammoth albums.
@@sambeaty5637 How are they underrated? They sold like 100 million albums. In 1996, R.E.M. re-signed with Warner Bros. for a reported US$80 million, at the time the most expensive recording contract ever.
This is am amazing song from an amazing album. Thirty four years after its release, it still retains its strength and beauty. This is why the college rock of the early 80s evolved into the alternative rock of the next 20 years, and the indie rock of today.
My favorite band. This was such an important song for me. I was 15 when I heard it. At this point in my life I was trying to figure out who I was, so to speak. One way of defining myself was to look at what music would I pick. I liked many types of music, but none of them I would say completely described who I was as a person. Then one day I heard "Pretty Persuasion" for the first time. I started hearing other REM songs from that era, and I thought This is who I am.
This is THE Song that got Me into R.E.M. after I heard it on the 📻 in 85'. That part where the band goes into overdrive 2:19- 2:35 is so AWESOME! Pete Buck's Jangly Guitar is so Mesmerizing!!!!
I lived in Athens when REM was coming up. Even before they released their first single. This song was a staple of their live shows and all us REM-followers were shocked it was not on Murmur. And then thrilled to see it on Reckoning. One of my favorite REM songs.
I heard the earliest cassette recording of an R.E.M. show, recorded long before Murmur was released, and pretty much all the staples of Reckoning were already in place. With Murmur, I think they were concerned with creating a collection of songs that hung together as a piece, and all their 'party band' songs spilled over into Reckoning.
Yeah I remember it from Tyrones in 1981. They used to play Rockville at Tyrones too. It was like a punk rock song. When we first heard it on Reckoning we couldn't believe how slow and country it sounded.
It is hard to now describe how completely different this video was from everything else at that time. Simultaneously sound and look of the past and future.
yep - This is one of many great R.E.M songs - my other favorites are: WE WALK, Wolves Lower, Carnival or sorts, SITTING STILL, Laughing, Harbor Coat, Maps and Legends, Green Grow Rushes Grow, I BELIEVE, What if we give it away, Begin the Begin, Ages of You, Exhuming McCarthy, Finest Working, Texarkana, Stand, Man on the moon, EVERYBODY HURTS, IMITATION OF LIFE, Whats the frequency Kenneth and superman
Agreed. They made lots of good music, but I fell in love with this one and never looked back. Still an amazing song. Love the live videos, too. Peter Buck in particular was a Part In a Box all by his own bad self!
@darkedge11 REM was so great in concert. Seen them a few times but the one I remember most was the Grand Ole Opry on the Life's Rich Pageant tour - they had to stop the show, and after conferring with some guy on the side of the stage, Michael got on the mic and in a very nice way, asked the people in the balcony to please stop dancing so the show could continue - you could see the cracks in the plaster around the edges, there was a genuine fear it might collapse.
First REM song I ever heard. I was in college sitting in a local bar in the afternoon with some classmates when this came up on the bar's video screen. I had heard of REM, and everything I'd heard was good, but had never heard any of their music, so I decided to pay attention while everyone around me kept talking and drinking. I was hooked before the song was halfway over, and I still am.
Saw this on Night Flight on the USA network back in the day. I'd never heard of R.E.M. before, but I remember thinking "this is genius" and got the album asap. I was not disappointed.
It was on USA network's "Night Flight" back in the 80's, that night I was introduced to REM with this video. Couldn't understand a word they sang but I loved it immediately.
For the people that wrote positive comments regarding the song, I wish to acknowledge you have good taste. For people that may wish to get a sense of the underground scene at that time, You Tube bands like, 'X', 'Husker Du' , and the 'Pixies.
We had the perfect three ingredients to help usher in The New Wave into America: Denis McNamara program director at 92.7 WLIR-fm in Hempstead, Long Island, genius manager Ian Copeland, in Times Square NYC and the album Reckoning from R.E.M. The New Wave undeniable. Fuckn A!
I remember when Michael Stipe used to go to The Color Box (which changed its name to The Chameleon Club) in downtown Athens and dance without his shirt on and pick up gay boys to have flings with. Good times.
I remember reading a review of REM in Rolling Stone back in the day in which the reviewer wrote "now that we can understand what Michael Stipe is saying, we still don't know what Michael Stipe is saying"
John, the 80s are hugely underrated due to the horrible top 40 hits. There was some astounding music, which I was lucky enough to be in college from 1985-1990. Echo and the Bunnymen, U2's early stuff, the Smiths, New Order 10,000 maniacs and esp REM, leagues above any decade since.
Erik Sundbye + Cocteau Twins, The Fall, Talk Talk, The Durutti Column, The Church, Felt, Thin White Rope, Swans, Opal/Kendra Smith/early Mazzy Star, Galaxie 500, The House of Love, Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Waterboys, Sundays, early Simple Minds (and ONLY the "old" Simple Minds, from 79 to 1985), Band of Holy Joy, Kate Bush, The Sound, the old stuff from The Cure, Depeche Mode, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Psychedelic Furs, World Party, The Go-Betweens, Clan of Xymox, Razorcuts and many more. All these fellows gave minor or huge hits in the 80's, in UK, Europe, South America (especially Argentina, Brazil and Peru) and Australia. Just to name a small part from several very good artists. But, it's so easy to look back to 80's and to remember silly crap things like Motley Crue, Milli Vanili (????), Baltimora (urgh!), Jermaine Jackson (who????), Sheena Easton, Rockwell, New Edition, Debbie Gibson, Richard Marx......
There was a possibility that IRS might have forced their initial choice of a more 'commercial' producer. R.E.M. liked working with Mitch Easter (who produced 'chronic town'), but fortunately IRS allowed R.E.M. to test out two producers with two separate tracks and work with the winning producer. You've already heard Mitch Easter's demo for 'Pilgrimage' (which was supposedly used as is for "Murmur"). Here's an early demo of 'Catapult' by Stephen Hague (who would later produce Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Erasure, New Order and Pet Shop Boys) -- /watch?v=GUv4tn3zGj0 You know the rest...
borbetomagus wow...that's interesting. i always viewed IRS as hardcore Indie / non pop...similar to Astralwerks today....i'm certainly not disagreeing with you. as an REM guy for 30+, i'm learning something new.
this album was recorded using only a 4 track tape recorder.....not like todays over polished, over produced music....talent is raw and fresh for the 80's it's cool!
Peter Buck got married here in Perth, Western Australia on Cottesloe Beach. He must have had his Bucks party on the plane to Perth, because he got drunk and unruly and rude. :-D (we’ve all been THERE....full of booze and bad manners ;-D.). The Feds arrested him on arrival Their first show was the next night and they were terrible. (The band might have been a little hungover still) Stipe was excellent though. By all accounts, the next show, on a Saturday night, made amends and they blew the roof off of The Perth Entertainment Center. I think it was 1994, and REM we’re having their 15 minutes of immense fame.
I can remember hearing this 28 years ago when i was 18 and i just blew me away. And hearing it again now, it still does. Its funny to think back to all the old friends who cringed and said "this sucks, Billy Squire rules !!!" I have to laugh and say "boy were you wrong" dumbass. Good bye guys the memories and music lives on forever. Oh, and where's Billy Squire these days
In Google Maps, I see a Pass Ln. around where his property was supposed to be. Was his house at the end of that road? It would be a shame if none of that was preserved.
Murmur and Reckoning.. still the best REM albums
Both classics, but I think Fables was their peak. Incredible portrayal of the mythic American south with killer hooks and melodies to boot.
@@kencummings953 we agree to disagree sir. It's hard to top Murmur and Reckoning. I happen to have seen them on the Fables tour.
@@avenueb We're slicing hairs. At certain times any of their first four could be my favorite.
With the exception of Murmur. It's great, but doesn't grab me like the next three.
Fables is #5 favorite album in my life. But to me ANY album from their I.R.S. years is top of the line. I even enjoy Dead Letter Office because they were just having a good time with that one.
Nope...Those are both great albums. However, Document #5 , is Easily their best album. Welcome to the Occupation, End of the World ( as we know it), One I Love, King of birds, Etc....There isn't a Bad song on the album. And Soooo many GREAT ones. Second would probably be Automatic for the People, or Out of Time, both absolutely Mammoth albums.
I always love hearing Peter Buck's 12 string Rickenbacker on these early tracks.
Ahh, REM from their golden era. I can't describe how much their music meant to me back then.
humboldtus Spare us the details.
joseph migliore stop being an asshole, Joseph.
They were one of and still are the most underrated bands of all time. The first 5 or 6 albums are phenomenal.
@@sambeaty5637 How are they underrated? They sold like 100 million albums. In 1996, R.E.M. re-signed with Warner Bros. for a reported US$80 million, at the time the most expensive recording contract ever.
This is am amazing song from an amazing album. Thirty four years after its release, it still retains its strength and beauty. This is why the college rock of the early 80s evolved into the alternative rock of the next 20 years, and the indie rock of today.
Agree
Disagree
I deleted the indie rock station on my satellite radio. Most of today's new indie rock sounds like Justin Bieber with hip-hop beats.
My fav song from Reckoning, which says a hell of a lot.
it just says it's your fav song from the album
Lol sexobscura. You know what he means - it's difficult for him to pick as he likes a lot of songs on that album.
My favorite band. This was such an important song for me. I was 15 when I heard it. At this point in my life I was trying to figure out who I was, so to speak. One way of defining myself was to look at what music would I pick. I liked many types of music, but none of them I would say completely described who I was as a person. Then one day I heard "Pretty Persuasion" for the first time. I started hearing other REM songs from that era, and I thought This is who I am.
so that means your ... incoherent and confused
sexobscura do you feel better putting others down?
@@sexobscura Yes I was incoherent and confused at that age. Weren't many of us?
@@grega.4556
it was a question *not* an attack
if you saw it as such, maybe it's best for discussion elsewhere
This is THE Song that got Me into R.E.M. after I heard it on the 📻 in 85'. That part where the band goes into overdrive 2:19- 2:35 is so AWESOME! Pete Buck's Jangly Guitar is so Mesmerizing!!!!
Me, too. I still think it's one of the best things they did.
@@roadkillsrus I can Tell, you are a Man with Great Musical Taste! Cheers!
I lived in Athens when REM was coming up. Even before they released their first single. This song was a staple of their live shows and all us REM-followers were shocked it was not on Murmur. And then thrilled to see it on Reckoning. One of my favorite REM songs.
I heard the earliest cassette recording of an R.E.M. show, recorded long before Murmur was released, and pretty much all the staples of Reckoning were already in place. With Murmur, I think they were concerned with creating a collection of songs that hung together as a piece, and all their 'party band' songs spilled over into Reckoning.
Yeah I remember it from Tyrones in 1981. They used to play Rockville at Tyrones too. It was like a punk rock song. When we first heard it on Reckoning we couldn't believe how slow and country it sounded.
🍀 Lucky You ! You were in the Hotbed of the Greats !
Saw REM in D.C. in 1983 with Mitch Easter/Let's Active and Fleshtones... A definitive show along my musical journey.
Peter Buck is a legend. Johnny Marr too, some of the greatest guitarists ever
agreed, big fan of both, although I never did, or can, see the links people always make between the two bands
This is one of my favorite "older" REM songs! This should get more radio/air play. Great tune
You are so right!
In my top 5 REM songs and Reckoning in my top 5 REM albums.
It is hard to now describe how completely different this video was from everything else at that time. Simultaneously sound and look of the past and future.
He's got pretty persuasion... she's got pretty persuasion 🥰😋
My all time favorite R.E.M. song! Woot!
yep - This is one of many great R.E.M songs - my other favorites are: WE WALK, Wolves Lower, Carnival or sorts, SITTING STILL, Laughing, Harbor Coat, Maps and Legends, Green Grow Rushes Grow, I BELIEVE, What if we give it away, Begin the Begin, Ages of You, Exhuming McCarthy, Finest Working, Texarkana, Stand, Man on the moon, EVERYBODY HURTS, IMITATION OF LIFE, Whats the frequency Kenneth and superman
Love the top of your list. Nice!
Agreed. They made lots of good music, but I fell in love with this one and never looked back. Still an amazing song. Love the live videos, too. Peter Buck in particular was a Part In a Box all by his own bad self!
@@rebjiii No Driver 8 or Seven Chinese Brothers?
@@kevinmatthews2270 I never cared much for Driver 8 and 7 Chinese Brothers .....both mediocre songs IMO
I'll never forget seeing this video debut on USA's Night Flight... it was so perfect, the music and the video. I was hooked.
rem were so influential during my art school days. this is the album that got me hooked.
The song and album that started it all for me. Swooooon!
Smitty's on Bannerman Rd in Tallahassee in late 1979 had several up-&-coming bands from Athens GA...
@darkedge11
REM was so great in concert. Seen them a few times but the one I remember most was the Grand Ole Opry on the Life's Rich Pageant tour - they had to stop the show, and after conferring with some guy on the side of the stage, Michael got on the mic and in a very nice way, asked the people in the balcony to please stop dancing so the show could continue - you could see the cracks in the plaster around the edges, there was a genuine fear it might collapse.
I absolutely love R.E.M.!!!
this album is really just bop after bop
First REM song I ever heard. I was in college sitting in a local bar in the afternoon with some classmates when this came up on the bar's video screen. I had heard of REM, and everything I'd heard was good, but had never heard any of their music, so I decided to pay attention while everyone around me kept talking and drinking. I was hooked before the song was halfway over, and I still am.
I saw this on MTV back in '83 or '84. I went out and got the tape for my radio. Tape...now I feel old lol.
miss seeing them...
Nice to see R A Miller’s whirly gigs, immortalized. Still a great song. PeterBuck is the man.
all rickenbackers, a pretty good concept which sounds even better. i can't think of anyone else who did this.
One of my favourite REM songs, when they were a fans band & not the global phenomenon they became.
One of my fav early REM cuts. Thanks for this!
My all time favorite R.E.M. Song ever woot woot
One of the best music videos ever made....RIP RA Miller!!!
One of my favs from college. Thx for sharing!
How in the world could eight people not like this song??
Lol you called them people 😂 try 8 idiots 🤣🤣
Bc they have no taste, at all ?! 🤷
I Love these Early Years , never have enough !
@cultssuck - I think I read that same interview. Amazing how great music remains so despite the passage of time.
Uma das melhores músicas do REM.
Saw this on Night Flight on the USA network back in the day. I'd never heard of R.E.M. before, but I remember thinking "this is genius" and got the album asap. I was not disappointed.
If you can make out the lyrics of this song, you have a good ear.
even the singer doesn't know them ...
It was on USA network's "Night Flight" back in the 80's, that night I was introduced to REM with this video. Couldn't understand a word they sang but I loved it immediately.
On behalf of the hole R.E.M (Chronic Town) Trib-Band we never miss this Song out on any Set.
I love too Sing it 🤗 ...
this song is gold
Love this video, one of the best ever made. Arty without being pretentious.
This was filmed about 4 miles from where I live. It was the home of artist R.A. Miller (he passed away March 7, 2006).
For the people that wrote positive comments regarding the song, I wish to acknowledge you have good taste. For people that may wish to get a sense of the underground scene at that time, You Tube bands like, 'X', 'Husker Du' , and the 'Pixies.
The last few Husker albums were really great. Their sound on those last few albums is kind of like R.E.M. but with a little kick of energy. You know?
The Replacements! :-)
M.r. Moon worms is a great name for an underground band lol
@@Brytons_Thoughts Visionary and Bed of Nails, both Bob Mould songs off "Warehouse", are directly from R.E.M.'s playbook. No doubt about it.
@@eiremike1 Sonic Youth.
Rickenbackers can do No Wrong !!
Very "Night of the Living Dead". Brilliant!
my favorite REM song
When Michael says " God Damn" I melt. He is SO beautiful
Just found out that is a Georgia thing
KEEP CALM and PLAY SOCCER IN YOUR PAJAMAS Saying "God Damn" is a Georgia thing? What world do you live on? It's just a normal saying..
@@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music really? Wow
@@solaria5513 it was the WAY he said it. Don't be a dick. Is THAT a southern saying? Ffs 🖕🙄
@@solaria5513 I was reliving a sweet memory. Thanks for ruining it for me, bag of dicks
We had the perfect three ingredients to help usher in The New Wave into America: Denis McNamara program director at 92.7 WLIR-fm in Hempstead, Long Island, genius manager Ian Copeland, in Times Square NYC and the album Reckoning from R.E.M. The New Wave undeniable. Fuckn A!
I remember when Michael Stipe used to go to The Color Box (which changed its name to The Chameleon Club) in downtown Athens and dance without his shirt on and pick up gay boys to have flings with. Good times.
An art teacher at my school knew the guy who directed REM's early videos.
I remember reading a review of REM in Rolling Stone back in the day in which the reviewer wrote "now that we can understand what Michael Stipe is saying, we still don't know what Michael Stipe is saying"
Mike Mills, beast on bass.
Artist credit: RA Miller of Rabbittown Ga. My uncle. 💜
I just bought by first Blow Oskar piece and I'm so excited for it to get here!!
I wish I was from a place called Rabbittown
Melodic urgency. Goddamn!
We were so spoiled by this music. These guys and Squeeze
Cool video.
This was epick for me. Whe whirrlygigs!
Like the stones but MUCH, MUCH cooler ..,.
THIS was music. Who cares if you can't understand the lyrics, or it's out of tune or synch or whatever - It's AWESOME!
"This is a song about growing up queer in the eighties." - Michael Stipe @ Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA 06/13/08
Holy cow, this video is almost a decade old.
Durr, that's what I mean.
I love Reckoning I completely prefer it over Murmur.
What about Bernie? I know a lot of supporters are stupid. If you're talking about me, I'm for Trump. Lmao.
Get well soon.
How the FUCK was this song(as well as Reckoning, in general) released in 1984? Seriously, this doesn't sound like typical 80s music at ALL.
John, the 80s are hugely underrated due to the horrible top 40 hits. There was some astounding music, which I was lucky enough to be in college from 1985-1990. Echo and the Bunnymen, U2's early stuff, the Smiths, New Order 10,000 maniacs and esp REM, leagues above any decade since.
Erik Sundbye + Cocteau Twins, The Fall, Talk Talk, The Durutti Column, The Church, Felt, Thin White Rope, Swans, Opal/Kendra Smith/early Mazzy Star, Galaxie 500, The House of Love, Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Waterboys, Sundays, early Simple Minds (and ONLY the "old" Simple Minds, from 79 to 1985), Band of Holy Joy, Kate Bush, The Sound, the old stuff from The Cure, Depeche Mode, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Psychedelic Furs, World Party, The Go-Betweens, Clan of Xymox, Razorcuts and many more. All these fellows gave minor or huge hits in the 80's, in UK, Europe, South America (especially Argentina, Brazil and Peru) and Australia. Just to name a small part from several very good artists. But, it's so easy to look back to 80's and to remember silly crap things like Motley Crue, Milli Vanili (????), Baltimora (urgh!), Jermaine Jackson (who????), Sheena Easton, Rockwell, New Edition, Debbie Gibson, Richard Marx......
There was a possibility that IRS might have forced their initial choice of a more 'commercial' producer. R.E.M. liked working with Mitch Easter (who produced 'chronic town'), but fortunately IRS allowed R.E.M. to test out two producers with two separate tracks and work with the winning producer. You've already heard Mitch Easter's demo for 'Pilgrimage' (which was supposedly used as is for "Murmur"). Here's an early demo of 'Catapult' by Stephen Hague (who would later produce Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Erasure, New Order and Pet Shop Boys) --
/watch?v=GUv4tn3zGj0
You know the rest...
borbetomagus wow...that's interesting. i always viewed IRS as hardcore Indie / non pop...similar to Astralwerks today....i'm certainly not disagreeing with you. as an REM guy for 30+, i'm learning something new.
eric strada
Not sure why you didn't include The Replacements in that list.
this album was recorded using only a 4 track tape recorder.....not like todays over polished, over produced music....talent is raw and fresh for the 80's it's cool!
I love the JAWBREAKER cover whcih is a bit more energetic :D
i agreeeeee.... but also include fables and pagent. those four are essential.
Can really hear the influence REM had on Nirvana on that b-part.
That was good
most of the greatest songs of all time are songs that lyricly don't make sense but sound cool.
somewhere in a novel the little boy was obsessed with windmills.
Jason Barbush look up R.A. Miller folk artist
Awesome
turn this up all the way and make it your soundtrack fro a day!!!!!
I think this was the very first REM video I saw. I think it was on NightFlight. I don't think MTV was playing them yet.
Night flight USA network?
@@chrispatricola93 Yeah, I loved watching that on a Friday night:)
@@Lazyeyewitness learned of so many bands watching. Midnight oil, REM, psychedelic furs. Lots of fun w old horror movies and silliness 'up all night'
Peter Buck got married here in Perth, Western Australia on Cottesloe Beach. He must have had his Bucks party on the plane to Perth, because he got drunk and unruly and rude. :-D (we’ve all been THERE....full of booze and bad manners ;-D.). The Feds arrested him on arrival Their first show was the next night and they were terrible. (The band might have been a little hungover still) Stipe was excellent though. By all accounts, the next show, on a Saturday night, made amends and they blew the roof off of The Perth Entertainment Center.
I think it was 1994, and REM we’re having their 15 minutes of immense fame.
I can remember hearing this 28 years ago when i was 18 and i just blew me away. And hearing it again now, it still does. Its funny to think back to all the old friends who cringed and said "this sucks, Billy Squire rules !!!" I have to laugh and say "boy were you wrong" dumbass. Good bye guys the memories and music lives on forever. Oh, and where's Billy Squire these days
Came to this song via Jawbreaker, stayed because REM are incredible.
You have to include Fables.
🎶UTA...R.E.M XXX 2019
I really need to get a tambourine.....
gran tema, acojonante
MS IS GOD
I remember they played this clip (from Left of Reckoning) on 120 minutes once...
R.E.M. split up but their music will last forever!
Good Bye REM you will be missed.
@bargaindj And digital remastered in early 2000's :D.
mine too
godddddamn!!! :D
"...your confusion..."
It's what I want hurry and buy
All has been tried follow reason and buy
Cannot shuffle in this heat it's all wrong
Try to put that on your sleeve it's all wrong it's all wrong
He's got a pretty persuasion
She's got pretty persuasion
God damn pure confusion
She's got pretty persuasion
It's what I want hurry and buy
All has been tried follow reasoning
And I put that in this heat it's all wrong
Try to wear that on my sleeve it's all wrong all wrong
He's got a pretty persuasion
She's got pretty persuasion
God damn, pure confusion
He's got pretty persuasion
In the light I saw
Quite a scene there
It's what I want, hurry and buy,
All has been tried, follow reason and buy,
Try to put that in this heat it's all wrong
Cannot wear that on your sleeve it's all wrong it's all wrong
Written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills, Michael Stipe • Copyright © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group
thanks
Video was made in Rabbittown, GA at the home of artist R.A.(Reuben) Miller.
TheCheryl99 Yep! R.A. Miller was my great-great uncle.
So true to the South...
The REAL South!
Not the one yer thinking of...
This is one of the best videos from REM. Does anyone know where this was filmed?
Danger Will Robinson In Gainesville,Ga at my uncle R.A Miller's house
In Google Maps, I see a Pass Ln. around where his property was supposed to be. Was his house at the end of that road? It would be a shame if none of that was preserved.
@billypeak1 peter buck? mike mills?
😉
Things have changed. The house has been abandoned. The community is getting more populated...CHANGE...the ever-constant
who filmed this?
does everything still look the same, to this day?
Pretty persuasion and Radio free Europe is the best song out of all songs ....I dont see the big deal about this band
RIP Howard Finster
I DARE YOU TO STAY STILL WHILE LISTENING TO THIS!!!!
Oh yeah, I didn't even realize I was moving when I read this.
Fever Ray nope can't do it the foot gets to tapping