Shiny Happy People - REM | Andy & Alex FIRST TIME REACTION! 

Kate Pierson of the B-52s is the lady on backup vocals. I went to school with these guys at UGA in Athens. REM would play at the 40 Watt Club under the pseudonym of "Box of Frogs" so as not to overwhelm the small club.

I remember back in the summer of '91 you couldn't listen to the radio for an hour without this being played. They also released "Automatic for the People" a year later. REM were dominating in the early 90s.

A&A, you'll love their "The One I Love" and "Stand"!! Edit- thats Kate Pierson from the B-52's sharing vocals. Both bands hail from Athens, Georgia.

According to Michael Stipe, this was a ‘throw away’ song that the record company wanted them to put on the album. Other REM to hit - Gardening at Night, Driver 8, Flowers of Guatemala, Fall on Me, Be Mine, What’s the Frequency Kenneth, and many more.

When this song came out there were a lot of people thinking it was too corny but God do we need this song more than ever today 💜

The girl from the B-52s (Kate Pierson) doing vocals on this is amazing!

1) "Happy" by the Rolling Stones. 2) "Happy Together" by The Turtles. 3) "Happy Jack" by The Who. 4) "You've Made Me So Very Happy" by Blood, Sweat and Tears. 5) "If it Makes You Happy" by Sheryl Crow. 6) "Everybody's Gonna Be Happy" by The Kinks. Etc. Etc.

It was kind of tongue in cheek. The band told Michael he couldn’t write a sugar pop song, so proved them wrong 🙂

Night Swimming is a path you could take if you choose. Another path could be Orange Crush. You could also head to The One I Love. All three great choices off of three great albums that are not Out Of Time.

It features guest vocals by Kate Pierson of the B-52's, who also appears in the music video.

Kate Pierson performed with quite a few established names. She did duet with Iggy Pop. 'Candy'. Worth a listen

"Happy" by the Rolling Stones with Keith on lead vocals is a must

Absolutely share Radio Free Europe on the RU-vids! Been waiting for the early REM reaction on here.

One of the biggest early influences on REM was an obscure late 70s British band called The Soft Boys, led by a chap named Robyn Hitchcock. REM later got to know the band, performing the odd Robyn Hitchcock song in concert, and also became friends with the Soft Boys. You might want to check out the band, or even Robyn Hichcock solo records. Both Michael Stipe and lead gutarist Peter Buck have played on Hitchcock's albums

Man you guys absolutely have to check out What's the Frequency Kenneth, based on a real life story that happened to Dan Rather while he was on the air as a news anchor. Also, Orange Crush. Right after their very first release came out which was an EP called chronic town I believe, and I was only exposed to it to our local College radio station but I live in Lawrence Kansas where we had a vibrant music scene and there's a local establishment called the bottleneck that was brand new that I just started playing at a lot in my local band, and one day we get REM showing up in the afternoon. I was there for a sound check because one of my music buddies was playing in a band that was opening for them and they pull up in this van with this trailer behind it and they all pile out and they just look exhausted, and Michael Stipe has exactly that same leather fringe jacket that he has on the cover of the EP. And I offered to help them carry some of their gear in and then I said you guys are looking a little disheveled. And Michael says and I'm sure he was exaggerating at least I hope he was, yeah you can probably smell us from here but it's been a long push on the road and we haven't bathed in 3 weeks. Laugh. Their soundcheck was good but their show later that night was fantastic. They were so young. I never saw them again after that.

One of the few albums I can listen to all the way through with no skipping.

I was convinced you guys would hate this song! I am so glad you like it!!! Kate Pierson is just too awesome to be real! Now check out Kate with Iggy Pop on "Candy"

REM has an incredibly diverse and varied range.

The harmonies of guest vocalist Kate Pierson (of the B-52's) take this song to another level. (REM actually performed this song on SNL with Kate onstage). Please do a video for "Roam" from the B-52 album Cosmic Thing. Pure bliss!

What's the Frequency Kenneth needs to be your next REM song (get the right version)

R.E.M. is one of the best and most underrated bands. I'd recommend Driver 8 as your next song by them.

"Can't get there from here" best REM song.

Best song ever with the word happy in its title. Happy birthday to you

🔥🔥🔥Kate Pearson of the B52s who was singing backup also does a great duet with Iggy Pop called "Candy" from 1990....Great tune!!

Watch the video. So appropriate for today!! We need love in this world!! Thanks for reacting to this timeless song.

Never been a big fan of the B-52s but dang, Mrs. Pierson's voice is so distinct, and delivering this 60s sound is just pure joy.

Great review dudes! Great sounds from the local Athens, Georgia music scene. Really want to hear you guys get into the B-52s "Roam" & "Deadbeat Club"... You'll be impressed... Best, M-

Happy Together - The Turtles is a classic example. Using the word "groovy" is even harder, but it has been done.

Friday I’m In Love by The Cure is a great happy song.

The song really was (supposedly) tongue in cheek. At the time this came out the story was that following the Tiananmen Square protests, in which protesting students were killed by the Chinese government, news coverage showed Chinese propaganda posters featuring the phrase, "Shiny Happy People". Band members were said to have seen this, and the rest was history. Michael Stipe was reportedly bummed out that people latched onto the pop nature of the song. I've read recent stuff saying the Tiananmen Square tie-in was BS, but it's weird that as big a story as it was in 1991-92, nobody corrected it back then.

I really hope you get a chance to listen to "whats the frequency Kenneth" IMHO one of the best opening guitar riffs of all time. Peter Buck rocks it. If your looking for another "Happy" REM song try , "All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)" , highly underrated.

I think Life's Rich Pageant is their greatest album and worthy of a full listen, but the first three tracks on that album: Begin The Begin, These Days, and Fall On Me, are as good as anything they ever did, and represent their work before they were a Top 40 staple

Many thanks to Andy & Alex! 💎 I so love Kate Pierson's involvement with this song.

Texarkana from the same album have sort of become my favorite song from that album, but the whole album is gold so it's hard to rank. The first R.E.M. song I ever heard was Fall On Me, and I have never grown tired of it. The Best Of R.E.M. fom 1991 collects several of their early great album recordings. Fables Of The Reconstruction might be my favorite of their early albums. Shiny Happy People is of course more than it seems lyrically. There's always something deep and meaningful from them. More than it seems at first.

The underlying vibes of depression in this song always fascinated me.

Jokingly, or perhaps seriously, Michael Stipes when asked in an interview if he had any regrets in REM's career, replied- "Shiny Happy People". But he has always refused to disown the song, saying that even songs you don't like personally may be important to others, and you have to respect that fact.

Not my fav of theirs but cant help singing and can't stop the head bob. Kate Piersons voice is cherry on top. So many great songs, but my favs are "7 Chinese Brothers" and "Fall On Me."

Dear Santa's Elves (A&A), I won't say ALL I want for Christmas is enjoying your reaction to "Radio Free Europe", but it's a great stocking stuffer! LOL!!!! That's the song that brought R.E.M. to the attention of most people, fantastic introduction! 'Shiny Happy People' is a slower, more "mature" vibe, but it's always interesting to me how just the word 'shiny' affects how some people hear it as 'ironic', other people take it for what it is, and either interpretation works!

Earth, Wind & Fire: “That’s the Way of the World”

Well, Andy and Alex, you went and did it. You further tapped into an absolute cavernous well of great songs from what I believe to be one of the top five American bands of all time. Now you must deal with incessant requests for songs reviews from this mighty foursome. Driver 8, Fall on Me, or So. Central Rain are all excellent next steps in your REM Recon. Enjoy, men.

love this song - never fails to pick me up. For a bit of acoustic REM check out 'Driver 8' for more rock 'Orange Crush' should do it!

Their singles are often accidents and don't represent their best work. I still don't think A&A have experienced the root of what REM is. So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) is a pivotal point in their trajectory. The whole Murmur album is essential listening (Perfect Circle is immaculate). Driver 8 is a blueprint for jangly college rock. Begin the Begin just rocks - no wonder they played it at the R&R HOF induction. The One I love, Find the River, Drive, Strange Currencies, Try not to Breathe - so many others. Automatic for the People also needs to be experienced in its entirety.

Stipe grew up a big fan of bands like The Monkees, Banana Splits and The Archies. He wanted to write a bright, uplifting song in the same realm as those songs and this is what came out.

Glad the guys got it. Not every song has to have a meaning to save the world. Just listen and enjoy. The video is pure joy and Kate Pierson seems to be having so much fun how can you not crack a smile........

"What's the frequency Kenneth?" .... you gotta hit that one boys!

REM was super popular during this period - a lot of great hits. My favorite "It's The End of The World As We Know It". Suggestion of the day (for a happy song and for the same time period as REM) is "No Rain" by Blind Melon. All-time classic video too!

Featuring backing vocals by Kate Pierson of the B-52s

That's the B-52s gal on bright, perky vocal. And I love Mike Mills on the counterpoint vocal. Yes please please put up "Radio Free Europe" here. Next would be "Fall On Me" from their middle 80s period, which you have not much touched on.

Great song. Just the overall feeling of the song. It's made for singing and dancing. I love Kate Pierson!

The magic of this song is how magnificently Pierson's voice blends with Stipe's. Just a perfect alchemy.

"Out of Time" is one of my favorite albums of the 90s. It has so many great tracks.

Not only a great song to drive to but trust me, a great song to get on the dance floor to 💃😄

I love this. It's an instant mood-lifter, never fails to make me smile.

When I first heard this song when it came out, I didn't appreciate it. Now that I listen to it again, and being 30+ years older, I like it way more.

South Central Rain, now that is a song.

Yes please post Radio Free Europe!

There are so many great REM songs to choose from! Please keep going, guys! My favorite is You Are the Everything from the Green album. I saw a show on the tour for that album, it was fantastic.

Love the song! How about "Roam" by the B-52S ?? Kate Pierson is in that one too!

Makes. Me. Happy.

R.E.M. essentials you must hit: Fall On Me, The One I Love, Driver 8, Orange Crush, Drive, What's The Frequency, Kenneth?

So. Central Rain...1984. The first time most of us heard them, and it was a revelation. Couldn't even understand most of what he was saying and they didn't include lyrics, but the emotion was palpable.

Great Song to lift your spirits

You need to check out songs like Fall On Me, Driver 8, The One I Love, Drive, Orange Crush, Stand, So Central Rain. These are classic R.E.M. songs, a full album of either Murmur Or Automatic for the People Would be brilliant.

I have always loved What's the frequency, Kenneth

The video is a hoot!...and Kate Pierson from the B-52s is the icing on the cake!

Reminds me of happy days!...before the internet.

Good song off of a great album by an awesome band! Bought the CD when it came out and my two young sons (5 & 3 yo) loved it. So we’re riding in the car one day and my older son says “Dad, play Chinese Happy People”. After a good laugh I told him the proper lyric.

Other R. E. M. songs you should check out are "Orange Crush", "E-Bow The Letter", "Bad Day", "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?", "Daysleeper", "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite", "At My Most Beautiful", "Stand", "Leaving New York", "Electrolite", "The Great Beyond", "Imitation of Life", "Nightswimming", "Man on the Moon", "The One I Love", and "It's The End of the World as We Know It"

Man this is one of those songs that gets in your head and you don't even know if you like it or not, but you will never forget it.

Public Image Limited has a song called "Happy?" which is great.

So much great REM yet for you guys to discover....want to rock? Try What's the Frequency, Kenneth? Feeling like some trippy shit? Go with Feeling Gravity's Pull. Gorgeous Piano ballad? Nightswimming. These guys will amaze you with their versatility! Looking forward to the next one!

R.E.M. was my favorite band when I was in college. Now it's Seether. Great band.

Love REM, great American band! Coming from the UK, that's a compliment!!!😂😂

Radio Free Europe was the song that really turned me on to REM back in the mid 80's. Would love to see the reaction!

Driver 8 is quintessential old REM

Bruhs, dudes, legends. You haven't even scraped the bucket of amazing REM tunes. Stand, Animal, All the Way to Reno, I Am Superman, Man on the Moon, Great Beyond, Bad Day, What's the Frequency Kenneth, Orange Crush, The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite, All the Right Friends... the list is honestly sooooooo long it's crazy. Such a prolific band.

The Video is a must for this song-something to be seen.

You'll never not hear the hook from this point forward... it's one of those that'll burrow into your subconscious. 😁🌞 Shiny Happy People 🎵

I love this song, I bought the tape and still have it in 1991. The video is awesome, Kate Pierson of B52s backup singer ❤

What's the frequency Kenneth is about a bizarre incident with old time reporter Dan Rather-he ran into a guy who kept asking him this. Since Danny Boy was often doing or reporting strange stuff-it came as no surprise to his audience. He made many enemies ,including Nixon most notably.

Thank you both SOOO much for doing this song!😊😊😊

This song was seriously a line crossed, their fandom grew, adapted, and changed.

You really should check out "Shiny Happy Monsters," which REM performed when visiting Sesame Street.

If you see the official video you will see it is tongue in cheek.

Wasn't a big REM fan but, dam just hearing this takes me right back to my early 20s because they were all over the airwaves 24/7. This one I liked.

R.E.M. used to record at Butch Vig's studio in Madison Wisconsin. Madison was a hotspot for music in 80s!

Love your reactions guys. Being in my 50s and watching the two of you experience the music of my youth is really cool. This song in particular was really trashed by fans over the years because they thought it was too corny. As the two of you pointed out, very few songs out there with the word happy that have been pulled off and our world could use some more positivity.

Thanks, guys.. there's a good video version of this as well.. appreciate your reaction...

This song makes me happy, having a bad day. Instant good 🌻 😊mood. Love REM❤

Maybe not an s tier or a tier song but I always thought it exudes positivity and happiness, it was always one of my favorite R.E.M. songs.

You need to hear "Near Wild Heaven" from the same album - the best Beach Boys song you'll ever hear that's not done by the Beach Boys.

Mills bass parts are so good. His phrasing and choice of notes and octaves are extremely mature. He makes every song better. And his backing vocals are first rate.

REM appeared on Sesame Street, performing a version of this called Furry Happy Monsters. There was even a Muppet that looked like Kate Pierson.

Now it's probably time to hit some older classics like "Driver 8"; "Pretty Persuasion"; or "Fall on Me"

The One I Love is Top 5 REM for me.

Danced to this so often at Uni. Fun choooon.

Next for REM? "King of Birds" or "Finest Worksong" - THANK YOU

South Central Rain & Can't Get There From Here are good ones. They have a song for any mood you're in

"lot of ear candy going on" is a pretty good description of damn near REM's whole catalog....

"I want all the shiny people over here and the happ....." Oh, you get the point.