I honestly think this is one of the most important songs of the 20th century. Also, the phrase, “loosing my/his religion” was old-timey slang for going crazy, throwing a tantrum, yelling shouting etc. So, it’s not *quite* as esoteric, or existential as it first seems.
From Wikipedia: “Stipe has repeatedly stated that the song's lyrics are not about religion. The phrase "losing my religion" is an expression from the southern region of the United States that means "losing one's temper or civility" or "feeling frustrated and desperate." Stipe told The New York Times the song was about romantic expression. He told Q that "Losing My Religion" is about "someone who pines for someone else. It's unrequited love, what have you." Stipe compared the song's theme to "Every Breath You Take" (1983) by The Police, saying, "It's just a classic obsession pop song. I've always felt the best kinds of songs are the ones where anybody can listen to it, put themselves in it and say, 'Yeah, that's me.'"
Absolutely accurate re: the phrase “losing my religion.” Here in the south we say it pretty regularly. It could be about traffic, football, the weather, you name it.
These boys need to listen to the song again with the understanding that you posted. I think They will give it a better ranking and think the lyrics are less esoteric.
I feel you… know this song for 25 years but now I got it: being treated no good at all, trying everything but never been good enough, trying to excuse all the hurts and blamings. I am so glad that I was losing my religion 💪
I'm in the school of REM fans that says you HAVE to try their old stuff. You've heard two of their 90s pop hits, but you need to check out the 80s songs that literally inspired college rock and alt rock. The REM song in this week's poll is a ballad, and it's a great song, but it doesn't represent that sound that influenced everyone after them. I would suggest Radio Free Europe, Can't Get There From Here or Driver 8. For deep cuts try their first EP, Chronic Town. I would go with Stumble or Wolves, Lower.
The first REM I was aware of is "Fables of Reconstruction" album which I recall being much heavier than anything they became popular with. I didn't take note again till a bit later I'm afraid.
Absolutely - great choices for a first dive into their earlier stuff. To me that's all absolutely foundational to alternative rock. Can't Get there from Here is still one of my all time favorites.
LOVE this song! I distance run and my long runs are early before the sun comes up. I’m safe and don’t put in headphones while I run, but I do play it on my phone and it makes my run feel like I’m floating. Why are they so damn good?!?!❤
The whole album, Automatic for the People, is an absolute masterpiece. My two favorite songs on the album are Try Not to Breathe and Sweetness Follows. They both make me cry.
My personal favorite by them. Fun fact: The guitarist, Peter Buck, actually played one of Kurt Cobain's guitars for the video. Cobain died earlier that year, and Courtney Love gave Buck his Jag-Stang as a gift.
@Dan L. LOL it’s all in your head I’m 62 yo my brain tells me I’m 20 my body tells me I’m 120 n my dad always tells me I’m not 18 anymore. I compromise n say I’m perpetually 29 at least that’s what I tell the g/kids!!! 😅
Dan...seriously though, Andy & Alex have SO MUCH MORE music and artists to listen to,it's not even funny.... bands, male and female artists. unbelievable.
Honestly I feel like there’s no way that they been listening some songs for the first time, like it’s ridiculous. They’re not 10 or 15 years so to me it seems a little bit impossible that they never came across some of the songs that they state hearing for the first time. Maybe it’s clickbait? Idk.. but I’ve been doubting a lot of RU-vidrs who claims to hear a song for the first time when they’re clearly old enough to have listened for a couple of times
You have to hear "Radio Free Europe" to understand their sound from the beginning. It's excellent. "Begin the Begin" is one of my favorite songs of the 80s.
I was driving through rural Indiana the other week and I stopped at a Walmart. "Begin the Begin" was playing in the store and I thought for certain I was having auditory hallucinations.
"Can't get there from here", "Driver 8", "Fall On Me", "(Don't go back to) Rockville", So. Central Rain", "Radio Free Europe", "Pretty Persuasion", really good songs!
Yep,. I'm 36 but I heard this on the radio all the time when I was a kid but I see college kids and even adults my age who somehow haven't heard it before I'm like just like what? How is that possible. :P
A good place to start for 80s REM is "Radio Free Europe" from the album Murmur. I believe this album was influential for Grunge bands mainly in showing that a mumbling vocal style could be an effective musical choice in singing. REM is a national treasure.
I’m old enough to remember Peter Buck being interviewed on MTV when this album was released - he said “This will probably be the only major release this year with a mandolin”
I saw The Police play Shea Stadium in NYC on their Synchronicity tour. That show was opened by an, as yet, unsigned band named REM. I was familiar with them via their first release but what an amazing opportunity for them and me. Joan Jett played between them. What a show!
This was such a monumental song. I understand that the phrase "losing my religion" is a southern phrase (the band was from Georgia) that didn't necessarily have anything to do with religion; rather, it refers to losing one's faith in anything. Perhaps you guys can confirm this?
It means someone or something is causing you to lose your patience. As in: “Girlfriend, if you keep doing that, you are going to cause me to lose my religion.”
So many great 80s R.E.M. songs: Begin The Begin, Orange Crush, Fall on Me, Gardening at Night, Radio Free Europe, Finest Worksong, Nightswimming, So. Central Rain, Driver 8, Pretty Persuasion
Andy you are absolutely correct about the impact and the influence they've had not only on artists who followed but also on multiple genres. So far you've heard late '80s and early '90s R.E.M. Your next listen should be something from their earlier catalog. "Radio Free Europe" from '83, "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)" from '84, and "Fall on Me" from '86 are all worthy and are great examples of how they were way ahead of their time.
You need to hit Everybody Hurts or The full Automatic for the People album. REM are such a great and influental band. Murmur is also a great album by them which you should check out, one of the best albums ever!! Drive, Radio Free Europe, So Central Rain, Driver 8, Fall On Me, The One I love, Orange Crush, Stand, Shiny Happy People, YOU GOTTA HIT THEM ALL! You guys would really like R.E.M.
Yeah, Everybody Hurts is one of those songs that feels like surely somebody had already written it - instant classic. People will still be listening to that one in a hundred years.
I don’t think they’ll like REM. I think you just have to an epiphany moment when it comes to alternative, college and new wave stuff and I think theses guys are more classic rock. Nothing wrong with that but the songs in this era especially in the 80s aren’t big guitar solos and drum fills.
My favorite REM song. Michael Stipe the lead singer for the band wrote the lyrics for this. He said he wanted to write a song about obsession and unrequited love, a very dangerous combination. Throughout the song, he is baring his soul, searching for hidden meaning and hopeful signs, but driving himself mad in the process. Okay little know fact, which you knew was coming. This song has its origins in guitarist Peter Buck's efforts to try learn to play the mandolin. When he played back recordings of his first attempts, he heard the riff and thought it might make a good basis for a song. Every bit of mandolin on the record was recorded live, he didn't do any overdubbing. If you listen closely, on one of the verses there's a place where he messed up and decided to just leave it since it was recorded live. As always fantastic reaction guys. stay safe and peeace outtt
Can't fathom somebody not giving this at least an A. But maybe that's because I associate this with my High School years which is when it when came out. Plus the music video was on constantly and that video is so amazing.
@@John_Locke_108 It's their first listen, sometimes it takes a few listens to really vibe with a song. It's an S for me and I was guessing they both would give it an A+ but I understand too that these guys just aren't familiar with R.E.M. the same way people were in the late 80s and 90s.
@@trouty42 True, true. I just have memories of feeling like this was the greatest song I ever heard when it first came out. And I really wasn't into REM at the time.
REM is one of those bands you feel or don’t. While I love them I know they aren’t everyone’s cup tea. Document is my favorite album of theirs but their early stuff is fantastic and much different. To each their own because music is personal.
This entire album by R.E.M., Out of Time, is really good. "Low", "Texarkana" & "Near Wild Heaven" are my particular favorites but there's really not a weak song where you're feeling like your just want to skip to the next one.
This song reminds me of "Sunny Came Home" from Shawn Colvin, because their both mid-tempo pop songs with acoustic guitars underpinning them, but also because they are both from relatively "fringe" artists that I loved for years that absolutely blew up into the mainstream around the same time with these two songs.
Shawn Colvin is a great singer & "Sunny Came Home" was really catchy. The first time I saw her was when she did a terrific duet with Bruce Hornsby, back in 1990, called "Lost Soul".
This band had so many strong hits. I think The One I Love and Everybody Hurts have to be heard. I think Everybody hurts has got to be their biggest accomplishment. That song is so important, and a deserving music classic. But then again, The One I Love is right there as well. Shiny Happy People is great too. REM was its own sound that defined a musical era whether you were a fan or not. HUGE, huge, huge! Great music.
There are several distinct phases of this band's career. The first three albums comprise their influential early work, where they were helping to create the blueprint for college rock, indie music, alternative. The next three are sort of their step up towards a more outward approach: bigger sonically, lyrically more direct, generally heavier, though they always did the more pastoral acoustic songs along the way. This song is from the album that launched them into the mainstream, and the album that followed that one is even bigger. There are a couple of outliers after that, and their work after the original drummer left is generally more experimental, though I would say their final two albums were sort of a return to classic late 80's form. One of those bands that always had something you liked on every album, even if you didn't really care for the album as a whole.
Can't believe that this didn't get an S. Such an awesome song! Definitely one of their very best songs from their most successful albums and it was HUGELY popular. So some may speculate about the songs meaning, but take it from the horse's mouth (Stipe who wrote the lyrics). From Wikipedia: "Stipe has repeatedly stated that the song's lyrics are not about religion. The phrase "losing my religion" is an expression from the southern region of the United States that means "losing one's temper or civility" or "feeling frustrated and desperate."[11] Stipe told The New York Times the song was about romantic expression.[12] He told Q that "Losing My Religion" is about "someone who pines for someone else. It's unrequited love, what have you."[13] Stipe compared the song's theme to "Every Breath You Take" (1983) by The Police, saying, "It's just a classic obsession pop song. I've always felt the best kinds of songs are the ones where anybody can listen to it, put themselves in it and say, 'Yeah, that's me.'""
REM, the band that saved the 80s. This is one that you also have check out the video for. It is a step or three above. Pure artistry. REM are known for their enigmatic contemplative lyrics. Part of the appeal. Need to check out "Driver 8" and "Orange Crush" among about 100 other suggestions I could make.
By the way guys, you're really missing out on a lot of great 80s alternative rock, which were the precursors of the 90s alt-rock we've grown to love. Some examples besides REM are: The Cure - Just Like Heaven The Pixies - Monkey Gone to Heaven Janes Addiction - Jane Says The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again Echo and the Bunnymen - Lips Like Sugar U2 - I Will Follow And sooo many others! There is a vast array of genres and musical styles that are unique to the 80s that you still haven't tapped into. Unlike what most people here think, the 80s was not just a bunch of cheesy pop songs or hair metal !!
R.E.M. is truly one of my top 3 bands. I saw them play at a frat house in Athen on the University of Georgia campus as a intern at CNN. They’ve only done two songs once they crossed over to superstar status and the top 40 genre. They were a true college rock indie group in the 80s that forged their way to the mentioned above status. Radio Free Europe, Driver 8, The One I Love and So. Central Rain too, a few which are all worthy reaction songs.
I love R.E.M.! They’re so different. Green is probably my favorite album from them. Y’all need to hear Everybody Hurts. I also love What’s The Frequency, Kenneth? and The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight. Fall On Me, Driver 8, Don’t Go Back to Rockville….the list goes on. They’re a mood for sure.❤
I love 'Kenneth.' Somebody's got to tell the story. CBS newsman, Dan Rather, was attacked and beaten on the streets of NYC by a crazed man who asked him, "What's the frequency, Kenneth"? The man got away but was later arrested after he shot and killed an NBC stage hand. He thought the TV broadcasts were controlling his thoughts through radio waves. How could that not make anyone curious to hear the song? Plus, it's a great song.
Radio Free Europe should have been the very first song to hit from R.E.M. That was the first song to get them noticed, and the rest is history. One of my favorite bands. 😎
Next stop for REM, take your pick from among these early REM songs and you'll hear why they had such a lasting impact on alternative rock: Radio Free Europe, So. Central Rain, Driver 8, or Fall on Me
These ^ Radio Free Europe is important, because it started a trend of different ethics and navigation in the music world - the DIY alternative artistic approach. REM are phenomenally influential on the way music changed direction. The fact that they "did it themselves" and became so popular is how they were impactful. REM came up through the underground, and by doing this, they inspired unknown bands to follow their lead finally getting record deals (with independent labels) and their music finally heard. I for one am so grateful, as I wasn't sure what kind of music I wanted to listen to next when new wave was getting too over-produced and polished
@@susanklasinski1805 They really did blaze the trail for the underground music that exploded into the mainstream in the 90s, and it all started with Radio Free Europe
The B+ is kind of perplexing me. I mean I don't even like the song a lot, but I feel like it's incredibly well done. A-something. S within the alternative scene of the 90s.
So many great choices for early REM. My suggestions would be either Driver 8 or, if you’re still in the mood for parentheses, (Don’t Go Back To) Rockville
Peter Buck, their guitarist, said he picked up playing the mandolin for this album (their 7th full studio album) because he was in danger of actually becoming proficient on the regular guitar.
Yay!! Finally... the homeboys🤗 I was living in Atlanta just as so many amazing groups were coming into being including R.E.M., Indigo Girls and more. I remember taking a trip over to UGA in Athens (Georgia) with some buddies to see a band people were buzzing about. They were playing that evening behind the football field. That group was a rough, but ready R.E.M. Shortly thereafter the rest of the world was let in on the secret and they skyrocketed to stardom🎊
The cameraman was told to follow micheals movements in the scenes where he is seated. If you watch you'll see him raise the camera when he thinks Micheal is going to stand up.
Radio Free Europe, the one I love, shiny happy people, everybody hurts, man on the moon, what’s the frequency Kenneth, Rockville, orange Crush, driver 8, Stand, fall on me
Still my all-time favorite band. Growing up in the 80’s they were everything. Murmur is still my favorite album. I encourage a reaction to something off the Chronic Town EP.
Between 1983 and 1988 these guys put out an amazing album every year. That is totally unheard of now days. They were so prolific during their Hay Day. The entire Lifes Rich Pagent album is a masterpiece.
Life's Rich Pageant is my favorite, and the one I recommend to those who want to know where to start (assuming they are already open minded music lovers and not necessarily looking for only the big hits)
"Losing my religion", as many people have already pointed out, is a Southern adage. I'd thought you'd both would know the meaning since you're both from the South. 😺 Other R.E.M. songs to check out, "Driver 8", "Orange Crush", or "Fall On Me". 😻
R.E.M. "The One I Love",, "Fall On Me",, "Radio Song",, "Everybody Hurts",, "Man On The Moon",,"Orange Crush",, "Driver 8",, "Near Wild Heaven" & "Cuyahoga"
The two we recently put on polls would be great songs to hit from slightly different eras of the band, So. Central Rain and Fall on Me. Radio Free Europe is the song that put them on the map. Driver 8 has the quintessential early R.E.M. sound with a driving beat and jangly guitars. Can’t Get There From Here has a funkier danceable sound with a great lead bass from Mike Mills and (Don’t Go) Back to Rockville is a piano driven song with a country honk backbone.
It's interesting I have yet to see anyone mentioning "Stand"! It has to be 1 of their top 5 hits. To be honest, I got annoyed with how often I heard it, haha!!
Great tune from the band at their height. The video is iconic. I many times didnt get them lyrically but I still enjoyed listening to them. Good ole southern buds from Athens Ga.
One of the best bands of ALL TIME. And that was before this huge hit was ever released! Murmur, Fables of the Reconstruction, Reckoning and Life Rich Pageant were all huge on the college scene before they blew up with this song. They had a few "hits" before this, but this made them international superstars. But I love all their albums before this one.
REM, like Nirvana, are famous for their esoteric lyrics so that you feel the song rather than have the lyrics lay it out for you. Their 80s catalog is so diverse in sound that you can hit anything and it will be fresh. So Central Rain, Driver 8, Can't Get There From Here are all great intros to the band.
"Fall on Me", "Man on the Moon", "Shiny Happy People" (collab with B-52's)... so many great choices. Was in college while they were touring bars in the early 80's.
The best song ever featuring the mandolin as the main lead and rhythm instrument. Peter Buck, the guitarist, wanted to try something new. Great results!
This came out when I was a teen. You could hear that it was a melancholy song. Once l saw the video it added to how good the song was. Being older and getting into the lyrics the song is absolutely S tier for me and brings me to tears decades later. I bet after future listens A&A's rating will change.
Great song by a great band! Michael Stipe said it's not about religion. It's basically a southern expression for losing your cool. Play What's the Frequency Kenneth next. It's from the early 1990's, but it's really good. Another good one from the 1990's is Man on the Moon, about Andy Kaufman..
Great reaction today guys. I’d rather have gotten an A from Alex, but I’ll take a B+. This song is better than a B IMO. If you get back to them soon, that would be so awesome. Their first breakthrough hit, “The One I Love” might catch Alex’s ears better. However, I’d love you to go back a little further in time and listen to “So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)” and “Fall On Me” (recent poll losers, but great representation of REM’s earlier sound and what they were about for most of us who were looking for something new and amazing to listen to). REM are one of my very favorite bands. I hope the next time you get to them and before you listen, you aren’t expecting a literal “grunge” sound. REM influenced grunge (and other alternative styles), but not how you might think. They are important, because they started a whole different approach to the music world - the DIY alternative artistic approach. (I left this next part as a reply under Norman LeRoy’s comment but will reiterate here:) REM are phenomenally influential in the way music changed direction. The fact that they "did it themselves" and became so popular is how they were impactful. REM came up through the underground, and by doing this, they inspired unknown bands to follow their lead finally getting record deals (with independent labels) and their music finally heard. I for one am so grateful. REM, especially "So. Central Rain" changed my trajectory, because in 1984 when music started sounding a bit stale to me, this huge music lover had no idea where to go next.
Honestly it’s probably an A I think I was underrating it based on my preference for the prior song we hit. I literally had no complaints about this one
One of the few "always on the radio" songs that I never got tired of - although I would never put it in my all time top 10 or even top 20 - but I do like it and can listen to it any time it plays. The song on this album that I really love is "Near Wild Heaven". It's one of those songs with layered harmonies which always appeals. The odd thing is that it has a stupendous guitar intro and then it falls completely flat and I still remember the first time I heard it I thought "Oh! something broke there" - but it builds from that brief moment of disappointment into something great. Now THAT song would often be in any top 20 I might compile! Also have a go at "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" - more rock guitar sustain than anyone ever thought possible!
This song had a very iconic music video to go along with it's release that was in heavy rotation on MTV for months. I recommend watching it...if you haven't seen it already. I also recommend listening to "Man On the Moon" by REM. It's got more of a pop sound to it, but I've always liked it.
Great song and a phenomenal album. I've said this before when I see people react to REM but check out the song Country Feedback. It's their favourite song they ever did. I also love the song Orange Crush which is worth checking out too
One story Michael told was; while playing in a foreign city where not many spoke English, they began to play Losing My Religion and the crowd in unison sang out “Ohhh Lifffeee”
REM goes brave with the mandolin in a folky reflective song about losing "faith" with culture...!! The drums are light; so is the bass...but the lyrics are "rich" . The whole album is legit (Out of Time) has beautiful gems like: Texarkana. So good. Their next album: Automatic for The People..... has string arrangements by Zeppelin's John Paul Jones!! Reflective...and full of sorrow. I imagine their subsequent album "Monster" will strike a chord with A&A fans. It's a JAM!! "Crush with eyeliner" ....and "what's the frequency Kenneth" are gr8!!!
Andy mentioned the "pre-grunge" influence - you may be interested to know that lead singer Michael Stipe is Francis Bean Cobain's godfather, and was one of Kurt's best friends near the end of his life. Michael inducted Nirvana into the Rock Hall a few years back.
I really like this song, I always think I am getting bored and it pulls me back in because there is so much clean instrumentation and thumping beat with that hard-soft drum sound that just works on the brain and makes you want to get up and move. This song is so perfect for cadence when running or on an elliptical machine. This song was huge when it came out. A rating for me .
This is one of the definitive songs of the 90s. It is in the same stratosphere as Smells like Teen Spirit, Paranoid Android or Hurt. So, it is amusing to me that it gets dismissed as a pop song that influenced Blink-182.
I think A&A were talking about It's the End of The World by that point. Still, it's a sorta far fetched claim. But maybe the comparison fits in spirit...
Dang it! I often forget how young you youngsters are! I do NOT mean that as an insult, the only advantage to getting old like me is . . . well, I can't remember any right now. But it is sometimes amazing to me that songs that I fell in love with in what some would consider early middle age are new to your ears.
So happy for more R.E.M.!! Andy's gut feelings really 'get it'. Many people Did take to this song right away, but we had the pov of growing and maturing with the band, so we were all in a similar mindset. Michael Stipe, the lead singer, was going through major life changes/revelations during this time. The lyrics "that's me in the corner, that's me in the spotlight" do that thing of being both intensely personal and universal. This album was their most 'mature' work. I'd like your reactions to "Everybody Hurts".
I was a radio DJ in the 80's. I was blown away when I heard Radio Free Europe. It sounded like nothing else. It felt like taking a drink of cold water after being outside working on an extremely hot day. They only got better as time went on. Love this band.
REM was one of the best bands of the 80s. They were also a great live act in that they never worried about coloring outside the lines. Probably not in the line of sight of many of today's listeners. They burst out of the gate with Radio Free Europe on college radio and brought it into the mainstream. I still don't think they will be in your wheelhouse.
Classic rock radio music. If you guys check out more of them I recommend something from Monster like What’s the Frequency Kenneth or Strange Currencies. More 90’s!
This could be the first song that came to your mind if someone mention REM and you grew up in the 80's and 90's. It was so iconic. But other song as important as this one was The one I loved. Both are beautiful songs. Regards from Chile! 🙂
