Just want to say thanks for watching my crazy reactions! If you enjoy what I do on this channel consider supporting me. 70% of my videos are not monetized. Between setting up the studio daily, filming, editing, thumbnails, and research which all take away from my family, you guys motivate me to put out content daily. Consider buying me a coffee here www.buymeacoffee.com/poloreacts or my Patreon www.patreon.com/poloreacts PEACE!!
Request? if you haven't heard a brilliant collaboration from an unlikely duo of Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-x8A9Y1Dq_cQ.html
So for the video: the traffic jam was symbolic of all these people trapped in their individual pain, unable to move forward. Then when they realized that everyone else was going through the same thing they all broke out and moved on together. And a great message for anyone who's out there feeling like they can't go on. Just hold on. You're not the only one. There's people out there who can help you. Don't give up.
And another piece of symbolism...there are many cars where families are sitting together but yet the pain of one person is not detected by the other family members. You just can't know without being in that person's brain.
This is one of the reasons people desperately need to seek a higher power to give their pain, anguish, frustration to….. try praying to Jesus Christ to take all of those
You said you wish you had found this song when you were 16. I was in my early teens when this song came out and I listened to it all the time. As a little gay boy growing up in the rural woods of Vermont in the 90s ... knowing that I was "not alone" ... it saved me. Thank you Michael Stipe and REM.
I was 18 and thought I'd reached the very bottom of my life. Didn't see a way up or out. My friends and I were listening to this song for the first time, and it got us talking. We all felt that way. Pretty sure this song causing that conversation saved some of our lives.
ASOLUTELY!!!!! It was so well written and manages to get everyone who listens to it in the "feels" too. My only major interpretation is saying you are not alone and why? Because "everybody hurts."
It might be hard for people to understand, but this is an amazingly beautiful song that can help a person feel better when they're down. And props on Otis Redding. The man is a legend.
To me, this is a song of hope. "Everybody hurts. Take comfort in your friends." "You're not alone." Even though it sounds dark, it really expresses that we're all going through something, but it's temporary. When you're in pain (emotionally or physically), this song is a gentle reminder to take a beat and realize everyone is just getting through this thing called life. I love music that is thought provoking and makes you feel you're part of it. R.E.M. has mastered this ability.
Love your observations about Otis and Stipe's voice, the pain. It made me think of the Cranberries' "Zombie"... you can almost hear the singer weeping in that one too. You should check it out, a lot of reactors have loved it.
Big yes to The Cranberries! Dolores O'Riordan definitely had a voice to make you feel all the feels for sure. I was very sad when she passed because she was such a talent.
When my husband was dying he requested that this song be played at his funeral. It was a long time before I could listen to it again and really listen to the words. It's an amazing song, I often play it now when I'm down. thank you for your reactions. Jeanette, New Zealand.
When this sone came out, I was like, "This crap is way too depressing." A couple of years later, my heart was broken, I was lost, and I saw no way out. Then this sone came on the radio and it was a true lightbulb moment. I got it. I understood. Thank you, R.E.M., thank you.
I absolutely agree. I was about 13 when it cane out. Having one of the best times if my life in a creative jr high program. It wasn’t until much later, once I knew more of the complexity of life that these words would reach me, resonate with me, and uplift me as needed.
I’m 67 and lived with depression and anxiety most my life. I’ve always fallen back on my music in tough times and this song has been my go too since it came out. I’ve loved and listened to. So much music all my life and nothing has ever hit me to the core of me like this song. I’m glad you get it!💗🇨🇦👍🏼
I'm 55 and have had lifelong severe anxiety and depression with Aspergers and ADHD. I feel the same way about this song. It's saved me so many times. It's a song of hope. I even got some of the lyrics tattooed on my forearm to remind me during dark times. I hope music remains a comfort to you for many years to come 💜
I'm 60 and bi polar MUSIC has kept me alive Truly.. rack it up to 10 LOUD lay back n feel it. I love rock n blues and Classical try to really listen to Simon n Garfunkall Sound of Silence the words do it for me !!! New version by DISTURBED so good. I think when you've been where we have it makes us better people xx Stay STRONG xxx
It's 5am in the morning in AUSTRALIA. I found your channel just recently, and I am 'CRYING'. I loved this song when I was a teenager. But, to hear it now, at the age of 50. Is so much more relatable. Your soul is saying everything so beautifully.
When my dad passed away, this song came out. Having a narcissistic mother, my dad was my shelter, my rock. My hubby was fighting cancer, dad too, dad lost his fight. (Hubby had many years to fight in front of him) I got PTSD. A lot of pain in my young life back then, everything happened in the same years while dealing with a narcissistic mother. I cried out loud while 'singing' along this song, everyday after dad passed away. How I missed my shelter. This song helped me so much. When I was thinking about ending 'it' all, in total panic, I always played this song. I was not alone, I had to hold on etc and I calmed down. How music can heal us humans. I'm a very happy grandma since 6 years together with my beloved hubby. Free of narcissistic mother and free of cancer. How rich hubby and I am. REM? Everyday, while tears are coming out I'm singing along, having a good feeling inside of me.
I am so happy to see you react to this. This song brought a lot of comfort to me and my family when my grandpa passed away. My cousin and I went into the "breather room" at the funeral home. The big lounge area was sound proof for people to just let it all out. He brought his boom box and we played this song. My mother and her brothers, as well as her brothers children trickled in as it was playing. While it was playing we just all cried and held each other. It was a cathartic experience we all had. It was a bittersweet moment for love and grief.
man, that is intense. what an experience with this track. I've not gone through the loss of a core family member.. yet. When it happens, I have no idea how me and my family will handle it.
@SuperNetSpyder If it ever does happen, lean into each other for the support. That's is when you all will need it the most. Coming from experience, it helped losing such a big figure who loved us all with his whole heart. We all leaned on it each other and it got us through it. We still celebrate my grandpa life till this day with all of the happy memories we have of him. It may take some time, but you guys can overcome and celebrate the passing in your fond memories of them. 💜
This song never fails to make me blubber like the big blubbering baby I am at heart. Couple of interesting points: John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin scored the orchestrations at the end, and much of the look of the video is homage to the opening scene of the Federico Fellini film 8 1/2, especially when Stipe climbs up on the car roof and begins gliding forward, but also the whole faces lined in pain while trapped in cars schtick. Where are my tissues, anyway...?
This album came out while I was in nursing school, training in a public hospital during the height of the AIDS epidemic. I listened to it on repeat walking to and from class, processing all the death and life and sorrow and hope and love I was confronting every day. Nightswimming is my favorite REM song. I hope you'll react to it at some point.
R.E.M. is one of my favorites. It's always refreshing when you find like-minded people that like almost everything musically (caveat: if it's good, of course). You might enjoy Simply Red. Holding Back the Years, If You Don't Know Me By Now, either/or/both. His voice is phenomenal.
"It's The End Of The World As We Know It" was my intro to R.E.M. only the college radio stations would play R.E.M. at first. The song is so far past genius. Always gets me up and dancing!
This is one of the songs tgat got me through chemo this past year. The hold on lines at the end make me bust out in tears every time. Three Little Birds by Bob Marley is another one that has gotten me through. If you are looking for another REM I like End of the World as we Know It. You may want the lyrics because it goes fast. Holding on... Here's to a healthy 2023.
I haven't seen this video in what I believe has been 30 years and I cried now just as much as I did then. It's beautiful message to not give up on life.
It seems like a sad song, but it's not. It's a song to remind you the everybody hurts sometime, and that you a never truly alone. It has a very positive message for me.
It can be very ... satisfying and emotionally liberating to just cry or connect with sadness. I think part of it is ... shared? And I think that's part of the magic of this song, is people coming together to recognize their sorrows and bad times.
Thank You Polo. This is definitely a very Powerful song of Hurting. You really need to checkout the Live version of this song. It’s Amazing and even Better than this Version. Thanks for all Your Great Reviews
Another song from around the same era that you may like. Queensryche's "Silent Lucidity" I am not a huge Queensryche fan. There's somethings that are extremely special about that song though. I love not only the composition of the piece (which is stronger than this piece, and I've been an REM fan for 40 years) but also a vocal performance that will move you and evoke emotion as much or more than this song. Check it out. I'm enjoying your journey and perpective on music that I now almost take for granted. Seeing new eyes and ears on songs really re-energizes my love for these songs.
The next track on this album, Automatic for the People, is also beautiful: Nightswimming. The string arrangement was done by John Paul Jones (of Led Zeppelin).
While i really do enjoy Ottis's voice, for me there have been 1 voice to me that has been able to express pain in the most beatutiful way imaginable... And that is Jeff Buckley
I heard Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah on West Wing when the character played by Mark Harmon died. I fell in love with his voice and, of course, the song.
I love Frank Ocean and Otis Redding too. This R.E.M song is a super powerful and sad song that uses two very happy guitar chords - I always found that interesting. You might like some of the softer melancholic Radiohead songs. "Fake Plastic Tree's" is probably appropriate. Their music varies a lot and changes genre's between albums but there is a constant thread of beauty and sadness. Def one of my GOAT bands.
HS days…REM was my go to as an awkward high school kid in 84 in Texas. I was a farm boy and this music resonated with me…to me it was a continuation of my parents country and R&B , but they didn’t get it. Thanks for this reaction.
This song has saved the lives of so many people that I know personally. Not to mention the people I've never met. Beautiful. As far as what you said about "sad" music making you feel good. That is the core tenet of the blues, my friend, which it has passed on to all of its children (country, rock, and r&b, among all the others)
This is a gorgeous song. It says so much. If you like this kind of stuff (and I do, too), check out I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab For Cutie. It's a beautiful song as well.
The singer (Michael Stipe) was a bisexual man living in the deep south during the peak of the HIV/AIDS epidemic here in the US. Dude experienced some heavy stuff. There were whispers at the time, but he didn't come out til years after this. You can feel all of what he experienced in this song.
Well done! I hope you haven’t done it yet and I missed it, but you really need to do The World I Know by Collective Soul. I think it’ll hit you similarly.
I've been in a really dark emotional state for some time now....and realizing most of the music I usually listen to is somewhat down/dark/depressing - and appreciate you reminding me I need to add REM to the positive list.
Your right about sad songs making you feel better. For me a sad song proves you are not alone with your problems so you move into a better place inside your head. This song removes all human boundaries to send the message - No matter how bad life gets keep going. Good Friends and Good People will lift you out of that hole your in.
R.E.M. is my favorite band. This song came out in 1992. The lead singer Michael Stipe said he wrote this song for teenagers because their suicide rate is so high. The last line of the song is "you are not alone." You don't hear it very loud here, but when you see live videos, he does it loud and clear. TRUST me when I tell you to listen to their songs live in concert. R.E.M. has 15 studio albums, live albums and many bootlegs. All of their songs are unique from album to album and they made it a point to change their sound in each song.
For another powerfully emotional REM song, try Nightswimming. Another beautifully painful artist to check out: Nick Drake. He put out 3 perfect albums in the early 70s that nobody bought, and took his own life at age 26. He struggled with depression, both in life, and in his hauntingly beautiful work. He’s now universally recognized as a genius, but died unknown.
Michael Stipe, lead singer/songwriter for REM was a sensitive, caring, gay boy, raised in a strict Fundamentalist Xtian household. Getting to a place where he could live his life truthfully was a horribly painful experience, and it shows up in many of his songs.
Solid with the Otis Redding comparison! Few artists are able to convey that much emotion in their voice! The power of this song cannot be understated. I highly recommend you dig into the video and what is playing out with the people stuck in their cars, trapped in their personal struggles until they all decide to get up and out and move forward TOGETHER! ! !
You have a good ear. When talking about the production of this song, they said they went through a few different version, but landed on this "Otis Redding" style version in the end. It's funny that you kept talking about Otis throughout this video.
R.E.M. is a deep hole to fall into. I've seen them numerous times, as they are a bit down the road from where I live. I've heard the radio hits so many times, that I tend to listen to the deeper cuts or some of the less successful albums. If you like the two songs you have already done, you will probably like most of the catalogue. One of the things I love about R.E.M. is their ability to tell stories, so one of my favorite albums is Fables of the Reconstruction. It touches the southerner deep down in me. Try the song "Swan Swan H" from the album "Life's Rich Pageant", very folk-like. Or try the song "Orange Crush" from the album "Green". It rocks!
We tune in to you to enjoy you heartfelt reaction to the songs we love. Never, NEVER! Apologize for pausing and reacting to the songs we love. I love your reaction and your enjoyment of what I hold dear. So glad to see you find the same value in such well produced and written masterpiece. Thank you. We love you for your honesty all ways my friend.
I also love sad music. You can take this line from Doctor Who: "Sad is happy for deep people." It's cathartic to hear this much pain and hope put to music. Michael Stipe helped Thom Yorke (Radiohead's singer) a lot. If you haven't listened to How to Disappear Completely yet, you might love it. The main point of the song was the result of Stipe helping Yorke cope with the weight of fame and touring etc. Excellent stuff.
There's a clear delineation with REM between the albums Document and Green (they went from a small independent label to Warner Brothers Music). Not that it was bad, they exploded afterwards, but I prefer their older early-mid 80's stuff, but I was a fan before Document even came out. For the early stuff try "Fall On Me", "It's The End Of The World As We Know It", "I Believe", "Talk About The Passion", "Superman", "The One I Love", "Finest Worksong". For the later stuff - "Man On The Moon", "What's The Frequency Kenneth?", "Orange Crush".
What I love most about listening to your videos, Polo, is that you remind me of the great music of my youth and that I need to find it again. The 80’s and early 90’s was my zone growing up. REM was one of those epic bands that I will always remember.
if you love this song, you need to listen to Jeff Buckley's song "Lover, You Should Have Come Over". It is beautiful and painful and just amazing. Jeff Buckley had a beautiful voice and a great talent. If he was still alive, i can only imagine the masterpieces he could have given the world.
"You did it to yourself..." That's hilarious! Honestly, I wasn't sure you'd like this one, but I'm so glad you did, Polo. Keep on doing this! You're fun to watch!
This song hit when I was 13. I consider myself lucky to have had 90’s music to get me through my rough teenage years! So happy that you’ve found this song now, and hope it brings you comfort when you need it ❤
New to your channel. Loving your reactions. Please do yourself the huge favor of watching the performance of this song from Glastonbury festival 2003 !! This song has saved my life so many times since it was first released. Love R.E.M. and lead singer Michael Stipe
Thanks, Polo, This is a recent discovery of mine too. “Losing My Religion” was the only point of recognition when I bought two used R.E.M. CDs from a second-hand dealer. If you get a chance check out Rick Beato: “R.E.M.’s best songs “ here on You Tube. I learned a lot from the way he examines a song. Peace!
OH NO... you like REM. Man I did discover this when I was 16. I can't count the number of hrs my father n I must have spent listening to REM and deciphering their lyrics.
This song came out 30 years ago when I was in high school and it still basically brings me to tears every time. I’ve had depression my whole life, although thankfully not with any associated dark thoughts, but it’s still so relatable.
This song got me through a lot of tough times....one of my go to songs when I am feeling alone...like now....hubby is stuck in the hospital and I am home, alone, with those demon thoughts in my head...my depression is really bad so thank you so much for your honest reacion to a song that is always my go to for getting through times like this.
This song got me through a very difficult adolescence. Along with artists like Portishead, a group with another singer whose emotions wrench out of her in their songs! It would be interesting to see you react to them as well. Maybe try a song off the Dummy album, Roads or Numb, if you decide to check them out!
always love your gentle manner and your really insightful reactions. I'd forgotten about Frank Ocean, he had that same ability to just reach in and grab your heart tight. Enjoy you and happy to see more thumbs up for you!!
I just discovered your station today, I looked through what you've listened to & I immediately subscribed. I listen to a lot of people who give their opinion's & you, sir GET IT! I love the fact that you love sad song's, I do too. My son died 15 year's ago, he was 21 years old & this was one (of many) songs I played at his funeral. He overdosed, & his funeral was the second largest one in our small town in Michigan. This song kept me going (as much as I could) because I have three kids that were 18, 16 & 13 when he died & I'm single. I just needed to say that, don't know why, but when I looked at a lot of the songs you've gone over I noticed a lot of Tool? That was his favorite band, also Slipknot he loved also. He actually met both bands in Detroit out in the back of the venue's they were playing at. These guys in the bands knew these were kids who didn't have the money to see the show so they actually signed shirts, CD's & just talked to them. I'd love to give you a few song's to check out? The sound of silence a cover by Disturbed, My immortal by Evensence, Where did you sleep last night, a cover by Nirvana, Freebird by Lynard Skynard ... so much good music out there. You have an amazing voice, & as I said, you actually get these songs. They're of pain, loneliness, addictions, feeling lost & just not good enough? But you know that & I just had to unload all this because everyone who has a station & plays these song's they like some, but I get the feeling they don't understand them. Please keep doing your thing. Great at it & I love your appreciation for ALL MUSIC. It saved my life .... peace be with you.
What you're experiencing is what many of us feel of things that happened in the past and we haven't truly cried the way we need to and songs like this helps with the pain the song is really about people wanting or thinking of suicide but what he's saying that everyone has gone through a similar experience but suicide is not the way their is always a way out.
This is one of the great sad songs yet so hopeful at the same time amazing to see you discover this There's a couple other songs that definitely have this vibe The postal service "this place is a prison" Ben folds five "boxing" Alien ant farm "attitude" Counting Crows "colorblind" Even if you don't do a reaction I hope for your sake you check these out the powerful there sad and they're so well written Keep being awesome my dude and I'll keep watching
Sometimes I play this on guitar at gatherings of people and 10 times out of 10 someone will say something like “play something else, this is too sad”. I have a hard time to relate to that because I’ve always felt like this is a very positive song! It’s dealing with a heavy subject, sure, but the message in the song is nothing but positivity, compassion and healing. Love it!
Finally! Somebody that thinks like me. Screw the video, I just want to shut my eyes and put 100% of my brain attention on what I'm hearing, and not be distracted by fairly unrelated visual stuff. I mean I am a visual Artist as well so I understand that this is a great video but at least for a first lesson, I would totally just be listening to the music. Because it definitely comes before any video
1:50 had to stop it here before I forgot, yeah I know exactly what you mean and the term for that is basically it's just kind of a guitar (often piano is used) doing arpeggiated triplets within a fairly traditional chord structure. And somehow when you said that, you know what immediately leapt into my mind? Because you referenced the 50s, and I think this is from the 50s, the very early 60s at the latest. And it's this really incredible song and it was used in a huge movie at one point but it's called Sea of Love. And it's just so hypnotic and surreal for the time. But it is exactly the same piano arpeggio things that you picked out and called out. In this case it's up about a half a step and I think the tempo is like one click faster. But not a whole lot different. Other than that there is an uncanny resemblance at least for the introduction.
