@@BrooksSmithMusic yes but it is just so hard to cover a song that Glen sang and sing it better. Just like it is hard to cover an Orbison song or Sinatra's big songs: you can look like a Timex next to a Rolex.
"And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time." One of THE best lines in country music. Love this version. Michael Stipe's voice is just sweet on this song.
Geez folks, nothing is ever as good as the original. I do not think Stipe ever intended to make over or out-do or come close to Campbell. I think he simply admired Campbell and this particular song, and felt compelled to honor him with a go at it! Quit hating!
I would venture that Freedy Johnston's version is better (whatever that means) than the Campbell version because the guitars are so beautifully intertwined. Either way it's a classic song.
Campbell didn't "just cover" the song; Jimmy Webb wrote it for him, quote "“He and (producer) Al DeLory were obviously looking for a follow-up to ‘Phoenix.’ And I remember writing ‘Wichita Lineman’ that afternoon. That was a song I absolutely wrote for Glen.” unquote
REM might be a rock band but they are from Athens Georgia and at least as far as growing up country is in the blood and in the bones so for it to have an influence would not be a shock at all and to do a rendition even if it's not cut to a major recording on an album also is no surprise
@@josebegui I had to come back to the channel, it's been a while and I couldn't remember which Glen song was being discussed lol Glen started out as a studio musician if I recall so he knew "good" when he heard it, yes :o)
I love Johnn's version personally. It's more gruff and less "pop" to me I also love Glen's version as well. I have a lot of memories attached to Johnny Cash's version though so that's the biggest sway.
@@robc5051 I'll look up Johnny Cash's version, I don't remember it being played on the radio but then I didn't listen to country music in general... unless a crossover hit like this.:o)
Yes, the very discussion resonates with the songs purpose. Very poignant. Plus, I love Michael Stipe and his artistry and the fantastic musicians performing in this take.
I remember getting up early one summer morning in 1995 and seeing this on the MTV. I recorded it onto VHS and from there dubbed to tape. It's as evocative now as it was then.
Glen Campbell's version can't be bested, but then again I've never heard a bad version of this song. It is quite simply one of the finest-crafted pop/country songs ever.
@@chrisbajdek6105 Oh, I missed that. Listening a second time, I've picked up a couple of changes, not a single one of which was for the better. James Taylor did an amazing cover of this song, second only, in my opinion, to Campbell's.
I love Michael Stipe's voice and this is a decent cover. Big fan of REM too, but gotta say Campbell's vocal is far superior. Transcendent. I don't think they were trying to outdo it, perhaps just honor it.
Absolutely - they're Jimmy Webb and Glenn Campbell fans and wanted to pay tribute. There's a vulnerability in Stipe's interpretation of the song that really serves it well, I think.
A great cover of one of Glen Campbell's most beautiful songs, but NO ONE will ever do it better than Glen. His voice and masterful guitar playing, which is considered by his peers to be the best of any genre, cannot be outdone.
Lime and limpid green, a second scene: A fight between the blue you once knew. Floating down, the sound resounds around the icy waters underground. Jupiter and Saturn, Oberon, Miranda and Titania: Neptune, Titan ... stars can frighten
Hats off to this. Came across this while listening to my favorite song of all times Wichita lineman. I must say thank you to such a beautiful respectful and eloquent version to this song. I’m only in my early 50s so I can appreciate music and new music this will go on my playlist for sure thank you R.E M. Much respect
Whether you like country or not, jimmy webb was bad ass, so many groups and artists covered this song, stone temple Pilots and Glenn did a awesome remake of this song...INCREDIBLE
Really surprised how beautifully performed this lovely song has turned out by REM. I really thought nothing could compare to the great Mr Glen Campbell but this was a damned close second!
Excellent cover, hadn't seen or heard this. I was around when Glen Campbell first did it, and Glen helped me transition away from what the parents listened to....Thanks, Glen. R.I.P.
a wonderful rendition of a great classic.. the song is truly unique in that every artist who performs it seems to find a way to personalise the emotion...
I like this!!! Not to take away from glen Campbell. This version resonates in a way that’s hard to explain. Clean, simple and memorable. When this pops up I always listen.
I remember this documentary as part of the Monster tour (and its still on a video the other side of the world... somewhere). I still remember thinking such a shame to cut such a version of this song up with the interview. This blew me away when I first heard it and been searching for the original for years. Thanks for posting... great tour and memories.
My ex and I had 2nd row center tickets to the Monster tour because her sis won them in a radio station contest. Her bf however was a sports fanatic and there was a Tyson fight that night. So we got the tix, for free of course. Turns out Tyson knocked the guy out in the first round. It was incredible!
I love Glen Campbell's versions as much as the next person. His is a clear, pure voice and he plays a mean guitar. But I like this version too (absent the interview). The way Micheal sings the line about searching in the sun for another overload embodies what I like about his interpretation of this. Admittedly, the use of the word "pain" instead of "strain" misses the point of what happens to electrical lines when heavy snow falls on them. But I still love the look, feel and sound of this video. And it is lovely to see him so young.
Some of the comments are so fucked up it is hard to answer straight to. Glen Campbell and Michael Stipe come from completely different musical backgrounds. You might be wedded to Glen Campbell's version, and I grew up with Glen Campbell. But to say that one is better than the other is like saying Pavarotti is better than Paul McCartney. They are just different. Frankly, I like the unadorned minimalism of Stipe's version.
Campbell's singing is out of this world as usual, but REM's version just goes to show how good this song really is; to have one of rock's greatest bands do a cover says it all
Ok - I'm comfortable saying Pavarotti is better than McCartney. To claim otherwise would be so completely fucked up that it would be "hard to answer straight to". Really. You think that's a fair comparison?
That's not really my point. I would not say that Pavarotti is better than McCartney. I wouldn't want to hear Pavarotti sing McCartney's songs, but perhaps Pavarotti's fans would. Ditto for McCartney singing Pavarotti. I used such an extreme example to illustrate the less extreme example here. Both Glen Campbell and Michael Stipe have their own style, and their own fan base. It might have been very interesting had Glen Campbell chosen to record, say, Wendell Gee or Find the River. HIS fans might have thought it wonderful, while REM fans might have thought his versions paled in comparison with REMs original takes on the songs. But to rank one based upon the musical tradition of the other is as silly as saying Pavarotti sucks because he could never pull off "Hey Jude". I happen to be a fan of both Glen Campbell and REM. I listen to both versions of Wichita Lineman.
No, it's quite easy to evaluate Glen's version as superior. Stipe doesn't have nearly the vocal chops that Glen did, nor did/does Peter have the guitar skill. Glen was a complete musical bad-ass.
By that reasoning, if John Mayer (or almost any accomplished singer-guitarist) covered "Blowing in the Wind" it would be "better" than Dylan's version. That is an opinion that will not resonate very far beyond an echo chamber.
Oh my, this is so very beautiful . Michaels beautiful voice and the way Mike Mills moves and smiles right at the start...whoa .... so sexy. Bravo guys. All class. I’m so glad you covered this song.
Oh how I wished they had put this as a studio song on an album, maybe monster or new adventures ... so very them at the time and a perfect cover Peters guitar solo is so graceful and beautifully simple. Loved this video and it all Captured them perfectly on that tour.
As close to the original that anyone could ever come...Bravo!.....Dead Letter Office is one of the greatest unheralded gems in Rock Music....It's on my playlist constantly.
Its not about whether or not one version is better than the other.....what it is....one band interpreting this beautiful song sung by Glen Campbell in their own way to honor it..great job by REM
Although Glen Campbell was the one to make it the most famous Jimmy Webb wrote it. But he was always more of a songwriter than anything else. Besides this one of the better covers was done by Dwight Yoakam.
Best Version EVER!! If only they had not interrupted this amazing gem with an interview. If there is an unedited version of this video with the entire song, please upload. The live version they put out is not nearly as moving as this practice session. They were all just so chill and in the moment that it came out so silky smooth.
@Stefan Baumgartner yep I bought this at Christmas as soon as I saw it in the shop - already had the new adventures in hifi which is fantastic - every track - but this b sides and rarities is outstanding !
well, i thought no one could do it like glen...but i was wrong. this is a superb cover....still has that air of "sadness" in there. i was unaware that rem had covered it. many thanks for posting heidi!
Love this. Love REM. All their music sounds so wonderful, even the cover songs. I had the EP, with this song stolen from my car just after travelling 1 and 1/2 hours out of town to buy it. I had to go back to Toronto to get another copy. Couldn't live without it.
Remember kiddies, Classic music never goes away. Great song + great band = another timeless recording. One day I guarantee, you'll understand what I mean.
