This is indeed one of REM's best songs. In spite of having gone to 4 concerts, I never heard them play this live, so thanks for the video, Stipey 104. Miss them, but glad as heck we had them for so long. So many emotional, meaningful, thoughtful, poetic songs with loads of musical integrity & beauty. How did so much of that emanate from just these guys? Grateful to have been around when they were and to have ears to hear them.
Heard this song on the radio today before work (NYC/wfuv) and had to get on the net and hear a few more versions as soon as I got home. A favorite, always, from a band with so many beautiful works - and 30 years later feels just as real and potent as ever. Thanks for posting and !!!Thank you, guys!
Green was the album by which I discovered this magical group in 1990. One of the best ever albums although it never gets into peoples Top 10s or Top 25s it does mine. It doesn't contain one weak track IMO & I ditto npspec34 as stating WLP to be my fav REM song.
It's actually describing a relationship in military terms. I had an interview somewhere where he explained it, it was inspired by another poet who did something based along a similar concept.
2 things; 1/ Ken Stringfellow's organ playing really adds to this version, making it feel quite slinky and giving it the insistent nature of the original studio effort. 2/ I wish JMS would bring in his castanets in the bridge just like ion the studio version.
I love "the wrong child"! I think that song is pure art! Unfortunately, I have never heard a live performance of it... It is kind of hard to re-create live as the driving part of it is the dual vocal of Michael Stipe. Mike Mills has a good voice, but I am not sure that he wants to attempt that song live.
@rftulie You make some great points. They will still be doing their own thing. Michael Stipe is on tumblr posting some interesting pictures, etc. I think singing and writing lyrics is what he does best but at least he's still doing something.
I saw them in 1987 in Hartford Ct. in the front row. At the time i was still obsessively listening to Life's rich pageant and Document. It was a wonderful experience. Some young man rushed the stage and was in the process of getting punched by security. Peter Buck leaps off the stage and grabs the security guard and throws him out of the arena ......great drama
26 times? Nice! I've seen them 3 times.. Twice on the Green tour, and then once on the Monster tour. As much as I loved those shows, I think they have better and more energy now live. I would love to see them again.
Peter Gabriel did it first when he was in Genesis from 1970-1976.And of course Kiss painted their entire faces. Michael most likely lifted it off of Gabriel because he mentioned how much of a fan of his he is. So Marilyn isn't the first.
@ BlackProteus No, it doesn't. Military concepts != ripping off. The context and meanings are totally different. And lyrically, Stipe has already said this was him trying to write in the style of Leonard Cohen with lots of elegant phrases and metaphors. It's not coincidence this was the first song of theirs to have the lyrics printed with the album.
Wow that's cool. I've been in the front row a few times. Which is a very exciting place to be. He's very yummy that's for sure. His raspiness just makes him extra masculine.
Just a note if a user is not going to post about the videos I have uploaded than don't post. I do not want any people advertising their sleazy porn sites or I'll just remove them. I agree Elpantalla1.
We're all screwed......the most painful truth i must admit but our indulgance and curruption has doomed us, so fix it or make effective space travel mates
My favorite song from Green and a great video you have posted! I do a solo acoustic rendition that I posted as a video response to this. I hope you like it! 5*****
The songs seem related in terms of personal politics but nothing more. I like Fortress but never really new the lyrics so just looked them up. In my opinion World Leader Pretend's lyrics are written better.
Well if you can't understand these lyrics which are as plain as can be either you have just learned how to understand english or you are going death. This song sounds nothing like other R.E.M. songs. So I take it you don't know many of their songs. Finally he doesn't look stupid. He looks cool and he wore the Stripe 6 years ago now. So get over it.
lol @ calling REM commercial. If they're striving to be "commercial" they're not very good at it. Because you certainly aren't hearing much of their stuff on mainstream hits stations. Also, don't forget this is a 20+ year old song from an alternative music pioneer. If it sounds mainstream to you, you might want to consider that maybe, just maybe it's because new often imitates the old.
@bordercollieluv You are too trying to be confrontational. You've been posting snarky remarks all over this site. Anyway this isn't about you, My profile is a dedication to R.E.M. It's all about the Stipe got it.
probably one of their most underrated masterpieces
This is indeed one of REM's best songs. In spite of having gone to 4 concerts, I never heard them play this live, so thanks for the video, Stipey 104. Miss them, but glad as heck we had them for so long. So many emotional, meaningful, thoughtful, poetic songs with loads of musical integrity & beauty. How did so much of that emanate from just these guys? Grateful to have been around when they were and to have ears to hear them.
Definetly. Green is a great album and this is one of the best songs off of it.
Heard this song on the radio today before work (NYC/wfuv) and had to get on the net and hear a few more versions as soon as I got home. A favorite, always, from a band with so many beautiful works - and 30 years later feels just as real and potent as ever. Thanks for posting and !!!Thank you, guys!
+James Puleo Awesome. Thanks for the nice reply.
I've always loved this song :) REM is only the best band ever.
Perfect lyrics!
"This is my mistake. Let me make it good.
I raised the wall and I will be the one to knock it down."
REM's lyrics are so poetic! so deep...
It is a brilliant song. Some of Mr. Stipe's finest lyrics.
This is one of my absolute favourite REM songs. LOVE IT.
Wow, that is an outstanding bridge....good song too. Very strong.
An amazing performance of an amazing song. That's pretty much all that needs to be said there.
Green was the album by which I discovered this magical group in 1990. One of the best ever albums although it never gets into peoples Top 10s or Top 25s it does mine. It doesn't contain one weak track IMO & I ditto npspec34 as stating WLP to be my fav REM song.
I just added this song to one of my playlists(for the second time[2]) Great song thanks for posting this video....
this awesome song will never get old ^^
Oh man... that Green tour was amazing, wasn't it?
*shivers at the memory*
LOVE this song!!!
Probably my fave REM song. Superb :-)
Best song on green album¬!!
It's actually describing a relationship in military terms. I had an interview somewhere where he explained it, it was inspired by another poet who did something based along a similar concept.
i love here about more than 25 years
you are so correct. the 2005/7/8 shows are by far their best.
ilove this Song, its beautyful.
Let my machine talk to me. It's like your brain is your machine, you have to guide your own machine.
they are great live better then on cd i think will se them again when i can...
2 things;
1/ Ken Stringfellow's organ playing really adds to this version, making it feel quite slinky and giving it the insistent nature of the original studio effort.
2/ I wish JMS would bring in his castanets in the bridge just like ion the studio version.
I love "the wrong child"! I think that song is pure art! Unfortunately, I have never heard a live performance of it... It is kind of hard to re-create live as the driving part of it is the dual vocal of Michael Stipe. Mike Mills has a good voice, but I am not sure that he wants to attempt that song live.
Awesome song...Thanks stipey
Always kick ass, I have seen them 26x so far.
I saw them live like 2 years ago.
Still kick ass
AMAZING version.
Merci REM pour tout ce que vous faîtes et vous êtes. Pour quand une tournée en France???
Hold that memory...
I absolutely, positively agree with freshflower4!
now thats what you call a fucking performance....great song.
what a great lyrics!
great song
@rftulie You make some great points. They will still be doing their own thing. Michael Stipe is on tumblr posting some interesting pictures, etc. I think singing and writing lyrics is what he does best but at least he's still doing something.
this song is especially relevant today..
I saw them in 1987 in Hartford Ct. in the front row. At the time i was still obsessively listening to Life's rich pageant and Document. It was a wonderful experience. Some young man rushed the stage and was in the process of getting punched by security. Peter Buck leaps off the stage and grabs the security guard and throws him out of the arena ......great drama
i would like to go see them live. :)
I love it too.
Thanks for this one, signed on to you, don't disappoint me. Ignore the snit pickers.
Nothing can beat the tourfilm version.
Ever.
best time of rem
I wish they would use the steel guitar on the break as per the album. One of their last really melodic songs I liked so well.
excellent my kin!
Love REM!!
@dascotton my too,Green is ,in my opinion,their best album....
26 times? Nice! I've seen them 3 times.. Twice on the Green tour, and then once on the Monster tour.
As much as I loved those shows, I think they have better and more energy now live. I would love to see them again.
epic.
Peter Gabriel did it first when he was in Genesis from 1970-1976.And of course Kiss painted their entire faces. Michael most likely lifted it off of Gabriel because he mentioned how much of a fan of his he is. So Marilyn isn't the first.
I can only agree with you.
yes, yes Freedom
I believe it is from "Green".
@ BlackProteus
No, it doesn't. Military concepts != ripping off. The context and meanings are totally different. And lyrically, Stipe has already said this was him trying to write in the style of Leonard Cohen with lots of elegant phrases and metaphors. It's not coincidence this was the first song of theirs to have the lyrics printed with the album.
omfg 5 star deluxe
couldnt agree more
good ol michael stripey pants
What about the portained ones in the background?
Wow that's cool. I've been in the front row a few times. Which is a very exciting place to be. He's very yummy that's for sure. His raspiness just makes him extra masculine.
@ElephantRage: Definitely.
There are some incredibly gems on their more recent albums.
I encourage you to check them out.
LOL. right on.
Just a note if a user is not going to post about the videos I have uploaded than don't post. I do not want any people advertising their sleazy porn sites or I'll just remove them.
I agree Elpantalla1.
I also agree with freshflower4
One of my favorite R.E.M. songs... and from my least favorite R.E.M. album.
@karmapolicemannn agree with you,for me--the best from Green!!
Me too.
where´s this song from? which album?
We're all screwed......the most painful truth i must admit but our indulgance and curruption has doomed us, so fix it or make effective space travel mates
good live
My favorite song from Green and a great video you have posted! I do a solo acoustic rendition that I posted as a video response to this. I hope you like it! 5*****
Great song - nice performance (except for Mike who's a bit out of tune here...).
I thank R.E.M for three decades of fabulous music.
The songs seem related in terms of personal politics but nothing more. I like Fortress but never really new the lyrics so just looked them up.
In my opinion World Leader Pretend's lyrics are written better.
One of my favorite REM songs but Mike Mills should chill out with those backups
@stipey104 I love REM but "Michael Stipe" and "masculine" should not be used in the same sentence. lol
I RECOGNIZE REM
@karmapolicemannn cuz Stipe is a mind head
Well if you can't understand these lyrics which are as plain as can be either you have just learned how to understand english or you are going death. This song sounds nothing like other R.E.M. songs. So I take it you don't know many of their songs. Finally he doesn't look stupid. He looks cool and he wore the Stripe 6 years ago now. So get over it.
lol @ calling REM commercial. If they're striving to be "commercial" they're not very good at it. Because you certainly aren't hearing much of their stuff on mainstream hits stations.
Also, don't forget this is a 20+ year old song from an alternative music pioneer. If it sounds mainstream to you, you might want to consider that maybe, just maybe it's because new often imitates the old.
commercial sounding? WHATEVER.
You would what? wink wink Yeah you know a lot of straight guys want him. Just something about him.
stripe did if first...obviously
@bordercollieluv You are too trying to be confrontational. You've been posting snarky remarks all over this site. Anyway this isn't about you, My profile is a dedication to R.E.M. It's all about the Stipe got it.
@Nigelxman He's a man, he's extremely hairy and has a penis. So yes he is masculine. BTW I said that a year ago.
magique, rem forever...