You are going to be astounded by how many brilliant songs REM have JB. "Man On The Moon" was a worldwide mega-hit for REM. You might like it. (It's a history lesson wrapped up in a song). "Find The River" is another classic, as is "Nightswimming".
Aww, I knew you'd love this one a lot, JB, because you've got such a big heart =) You definitely need to do "Stand" by R.E.M. too, it's got the same super positive vibe but with a nice motivational message. And a note on the female singer: This is Kate Pierson, from the band The B-52's. Their band and R.E.M. are both from Athens, Georgia, and were friends in the same music scene there together when they were just starting out in the early 80's.
I listened to this song, and the whole album on repeat in the summer of '91 driving from California to Chicago. Almost 30 years (holy shit) later and this song still makes me happy, glad it makes you happy too.
Mate. Ive recently discovered your channel. Spent a lot of last week watching your videos. This has to be one of my favourite reactions you have done. Just watching the smile on your face. Truely shows the power of music. Keep it up mate. Love from England 👍
I think your reaction is so cute, besides the music this makes me happy too :) The way you look watching the video, one can tell that it moves you. That's great! Best wishes from Germany :)
So much fun....I would love if you keep doing REM!!!! Got to see them in concert once, and this song is one of the distinct memories of that concert that has stayed with me.
I used to listen to R.E.M as a tiny little kid, they were unique and I always remembered their songs that used to come on MTV, they were something different. Their songs always stuck to me.
R.E.M and the B 52's both fabulous eccentric 'art band ' energy, I wore their music out in the 80s and 90s. Next have a listen to the B 52's... they are a pure wave of good energy and happy vibes no matter what song you choose. They wanted everyone to be invited to the party of life.
When this song was released it was EVERYWHERE. I was so sick of it, fell in the category of those songs that get stuck in your head and can't get rid of them. Listening to it now, it brings nostalgia. Thank you, this put a smile on my face.
I stumbled across your reaction video to REM 'Everybody Hurts' and was moved to see your true emotions. I hoped you'd review this song too ! Lovely to see your smile ! I smiled too :) Keep up the good work !
There's still a lot of great REM songs to do: "Stand", "Orange Crush", "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)", "The One I Love", "Nightswimming", "What's The Frequency Kenneth?" etc.
The girl singer is borrowed from another Georgia band (REM & B52s both from Athens Georgia area). I suggest you give the B52's a listen (Love Shack and Roam were big hits of theirs)
Loved your reaction to this mate. Kate, the sexy redhead singer is from the B52's. They have some great songs too. Roam, Private Idaho, Love Shack, Rock Lobster are their best known ones. Their songs are often like this one.
love this song. such a fun loving song. and it was produced so well. great vocals and nice layered backing vocals. a pure pop song, but totally unique.
As others mentioned below, Kate (female singer in the video) is in The B-52’s. They have many good songs. Very unique style that is unmistakable. “Planet Clare” was used in the movie “Monsters vs aliens”. A lot of B-52 comes into this REM song. It’s classic Kate. Song for a future generation”, “Legal tender”, “Give me back my man”, “Private idaho”, “Rock lobster”, “Love shack”, “Roam”, “Quesch loraine”, dirty back road, Strobe light, 52 girls, dance this mess around. All classics.
I love the old man on the bike. It's my favorite part. He's so old and tired and huffing and puffing and the little girl is like "Um, here I think you better have some of this before you keel over"
Always loved this song and video. Would cheer me , no matter what. To this day, I will see a happy photo of friends, families and often will comment, Shiny, happy people. The shine comes from within them and us. Thanks for reminding me of this song.
I like Orange Crush, Nightswimming, The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight, Man On The Moon, and The One I Love, my other Favourite REM songs after this Losing My Religion and Everybody Hurts.
If this video/song doesn't make you smile with its relentless cheerfulness and message of love, you're dead inside, lol. You should check out REM's "Stand" one of their earlier upbeat hits and just as catchy and memorable.
Oh man, I'm glad you liked this one. This song gets a lot of shade(including from members of the band), which I guess I can understand. But I heard it for the first time when I was like 8 or 9 and it was easier to relate to as a kid than the heavier themes R.E.M often deals with. And even as an adult, it's not my personal favorite, but dude. It's fun. It's catchy. And those harmonies with Kate Pierson are perfect. Check out "Me in Honey" from the same album for more of her work with the band!
I had a friend of mine who just loved REM back in the days. He probably still does. I like them as well and this one is one of their more upbeat songs.
There was some discussion that this was REM's reaction to "you're always depressing", but also a commentary on keeping up appearances. But it's also a happy song on the surface (but not melodically. The key is actually quite sad)... So a very confusing thing overall... ;-)
Bro I am literally sitting here with tears of happiness running down my face watching your reaction- you make me proud that I'm your fellow human being!
I remember how in 2009 I heard it on the radio, time passed and I decided to look for it, but for almost 6 years I could not find it because I myself am a Greek and I didn’t remember fame, but I found it and realized that it was a masterpiece
My favorite band of all time! Try 'So. Central Rain', 'Driver 8', 'Fall on Me', 'The One I Love' and of course 'Nightswimming': Just a piano, strings and Michael's powerful voice.
This is actually a 'joke' song. REM were getting stick for their 'depressing' songs so decided to make the cheesiest 'happy' song they could. The female singer is Kate Pierson from The B-52's. The two bands were from the same area and would often perform in the same clubs and bars and were very supportive of each other's early careers.
Well, the joke worked! Blame it on great songwriting but I REALLY needed to hear this song, today. Silly cheesy dance and all. Fake it till ya make it.
@@elainewilliams967 Oh I'm not doubting how good the song is or how much fun they had making it, just pointing out the reason it was made in the 1st place.
The title and chorus are based on a Chinese propaganda poster. The slogan "Shiny happy people holding hands" is used ironically - the song was released in 1991, 2 years after the Tiananmen Square uprising when the Chinese government clamped down on student demonstrators, killing hundreds of them.
Note that this is not the band's natural state so they're tongue in cheek cheesy dancing. However, it does make me happy and feel blessed to know all their music! The woman singer with them is the lead singer of another great Athens band - the B-52's. They are all happy all the time. Check them out!
You are the first one to truly “get” this song. It’s totally in the irony...if you look for this being played live you will only find 3 versions because it’s complete satire. Granted I love the song but you can tell it’s a total joke to them :-)
There are so many great R.E.M. songs that others have suggested that you can continue down that rabbit hole for a while. A couple other excellent bands and songs from the 80’s are Tears for Fears ‘Mad World’ and Talk Talk’s ‘It’s My Life’. I hope you have them on your list!
happiness is a choice and a mind set. It begins with being grateful for the little things that we have been blessed with. The ability to hold hands with someone else, to feel a solid, warm touch of another human who is sharing a moment of peace and solidarity or even love. It makes life worth living.
Shiny Happy People I always took to be an ironic offering since it appeared next to a song like Losing My Religion on REM"s Out of Time. One of my favorites on Out of Time was Texarcana. I'd also recommend Stand, Orange Crush, Don't Go Back to Rockville, and songs from Automatic for the People like Everybody Hurts, Nightswimming, The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight and Find the River.
In fact and what many simply don´t know is that this song is about how superficial many people and the mainstream music business in particular are...and there is a reason why just the old guy has to do the work in the unseen background while the young ones have a happy time....and you won´t find any other REM song which is sooo happy peppy
Try "ORANGE CRUSH", "STAND", "DRIVE", "IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT", "THE ONE I LOVE", " MAN ON THE MOON" , " BANG N BLAME " "WORLD LEADER PRETEND"
Its relentlessly "up" as a song, which is why some people took against it, I think - it was also heavily played on MTV and the radio. I like the harmonies and the bass line especially.
You obviously can have a favorite REM song, even if it's not among the most popular, which this one is tho, LOVE it. I read somewhere that even though it has a feel good melody it's kind of in an ironic way, but still such a great song, you're in for a treat with this band, one of the great ones.
First to comment!, Good evening James!, wait it's daytime there, either way, great song! keep up the good work and thank you for taking us on this journey with you! goodnight mate.
I don't know which to suggest, because there are sooo many great R.E.M. songs! So just three picks: "Fall On Me", "The Great Beyond", "Imitation of Life".(+1 a hidden game: "How The West Was Won And Where It Got Us")
This is a difficult song to karaoke. I love this song and my friend and I attempted to karaoke it. We seriously bombed and had to do a fast walk of shame out of there! I look back and laugh
You are so right! If we were happy, we wouldn't need to find these songs to make us happy. Perhaps the reason why Losing my Religion and Everybody Hurts has more views, is because, when we are sad, desperate and in need of solace, we often need to find it in music. When we are already happy, energised and socialised, we are out and living so we wouldn't need to watch "happy songs". Also when we are reflective, we search our souls for answers in the saddest songs.
Like many others suggest, if you want another REM song, Nightswimming is a must. One of my favourite songs by them is a song called Leaving New York, that might also be a good one to give a try.
