FIRST TIME HEARING REM - "Losing My Religion" | REACTION & ANALYSIS

[@rocket_hops]

finally someone gets the dancing like i do, its such a raw expression

[@quinny6920]

“ EVERYBODY HURTS” is a song for every person then , and will go on forever. He’s brilliant

[@benmason9755]

The interesting thing about REM is that there are two different phases to this band. There was BEFORE this, when they were definitely THE most interesting alternative rock band working in America throughout the 80s (essentially they were the USA's equivalent of The Cure), but they hadn't yet really broken out internationally yet. Then came this track with their first real runaway hit album Out of Time, which was then followed by the monster runaway smash that was Automatic For the People, which broke them out into megastardom and then EVERYBODY knew them, and they went a little more pop-rock as a result of heading more in this direction. They were always this imaginative, intelligent and talented, though. Recommendations from the earlier phase are definitely Fall On Me, The One I Love, King of Birds, It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), Pop Song 89, Hyena, Radio Free Europe, So Central Rain, Can't Get There From Here and Driver 8. Recommendations from later are Everybody Hurts (although of course you'll have already heard that, EVERYBODY'S heard that one), The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight, Nightswimming, Strange Currencies, New Test Leper, Shiny Happy People, Daysleeper, Leave, Tongue, Sweetness Follows and What's the Frequency Kenneth? Yeah, I know that's a lot but there's SO MUCH good stuff from these guys ...

[@meganjudge2758]

This is the only love song Micheal Stipe ever wrote…. He never wanted to write the typical love song so many others wrote. This is an amazing song both lyrically and musically. REM is one of my favorite bands and one of the all time greats! So original!

[@Geshtafshnifka]

This is the only REM song I know but it’s one of my favourite songs.

[@sharonscurti8024]

Great song ❤️. Excellent band. "EVERY BODY HURTS" is a MASTERPIECE ❤️ The one Love is one of my favorites too.

[@strenzerstrenz8056]

It's "everybody hurts" not "every body hurts", it's a different meaning. 😁

[@sharonscurti8024]

@@strenzerstrenz8056 Yes thanks. ❤️ Sometime when I text especially when I first wake up. I screw up. I listen to Everybody Hurts often. I saw REM at Summerfest in Milwaukee about 9 years ago. Amazing 🤩

[@raisa_cherry33]

The ukulele is everything.Absolutely fantastic 😍😍😍😍👏

[@Unvicimo]

Is not an ukulele 😂 is a mandolin 🙂

[@raisa_cherry33]

@@Unvicimo Oh i see,thx for the info hehe 🤣

[@lauraallen55]

The lead instrument is a mandolin, the song really does not have a chorus; at least not a typical chorus, and it's very long. These three things are things that should have made it not successful, but it was a very successful song. Everyone knew it. Michael Stipe is very very clever and creative with his lyrics as there are generally several meanings. They did a song (I love) called 'The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight' and it has lyrics to that effect along with 'the sidewinder sleeps on its back' and '...sleeps in a coil'. It's about him waiting at a pay phone to hear from someone, but the song has a deeper meaning too. The term 'Losing My Religion' is a southern US term meaning to lose one's temper. Michael Stipe has said this song is about obsession and unrequited love, despite the religious imagery. Favorite REM songs are hard to pinpoint for me as I like quite a few. REM essentially ushered in alternative, with a splash of post punk, and are very talented and unique in a few ways. I love Find the River, probably my favorite. But Fall on Me, The One I Love, Man on the Moon, Stand, Everybody Hurts, Drive, It's the End of the World as We Know It, Nightswimming, Talk About the Passion. Too many to really list just three. Great reaction as always

[@christypriest30]

Man this takes me back

[@gregdelrusso4517]

Man on the Moon is another great one by them.

[@timgasper8748]

Yeah, there's a guitar in there, but in the beginning...that is a mandolin...and in those small breaks. Thanks for finding this

[@Jacques.Smith_]

This tune makes you long for a girl you don't know yet

[@RichOrElse]

1:36 It's actually called the Mandolin, was played throughout the song Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls.

[@Ario_Ham]

Absolutely brilliant rhythm and melody 🎶

[@lauraallen55]

I'm here revisiting some things because now you can hear things without worrying about anything woo hoo! So, I strongly recommend for a quiet introspective collection of songs about life and death: REM Automatic For The People. REM was another band that evolved a lot. Just as you’ll get different answers from U2 fans about their favorite period, you’ll get 10 different answers from REM fans about their best album. This is the album by them that *you* would like. Listen to Find The River first. In fact, you should listen to it before you leave as it’s perfect for starting a new chapter/journey. 

It’s also one of my favorite songs. I like REM a lot but not enough to warrant any of their songs as one of my all time favorites, yet it is. I would like it played when I die in fact. You said on your video that now you get to listen to songs just for you. Weirdly, I have actually always really wanted that for you.

[@courtneymoore3177]

Losing my religion, The One I love, and Everybody Hurts

[@GiaMalia]

Obsession takes us away from our higher soul, a higher spirit; hence the phrase ‘losing my religion’ as he becomes more and more consumed by his obsession.

[@horizonchaser6030]

Mandolin.

[@glendavonne9237]

I like this version, but i also Love Hootie and the Blowfish version also.

[@lauraallen55]

So, what you said about going from somewhat insecure or lacking in self confidence to overly blunt and direct because you aren't comfortable with that way of behaving so you tend to overdo it the other way. Well. I've got to tell you, this is the exact same realization I came to about myself years ago. I was so afraid of upsetting people I beat around the bush about what I wanted or meant. Then, one day said pretty much that I'm done with that and proceeded to tell people exactly what I thought, etc., consequences be damned. Then, I learned how to temper and modify language much better, to still say what I meant but add some nuance to soften any potential harsh or hurtful words. Many people are not comfortable with directness - they want what is the socially acceptable norm. Anyway, I had to say something here because I suddenly heard myself in your words.

[@hibhibb5429]

Love this song! REM (Rapid Eye Movement) is so unique. The singer, Michael Stipe, has such an amazing voice. I love to watch him dance too! Check out their songs "Man on the moon", "Everybody hurts official video" and "It's the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)"

[@courtneymoore3177]

What I love about Rock music... No choreography. Just how you feel in the moment.

[@JamboSteven89]

Got the opportunity to see them live in 2005. It was so good.

[@samuraivt389]

This song brings me nostalgia

[@mariakruta9161]

My top 3 by REM would definitely be 3. Man on The Moon, 2. Losing My Religion and 1. Nightswimming ♥ Would be awesome to see your reaction to Nightswimming :)

[@karenwebster2465]

Anton, Please react to REM'S "Fall on Me". Incredibly beautiful, powerful song. Soulful! You would love it. spellbinding.

[@jennarose1262]

please react to ‘30’ by badflower! I think you’d like it 😀

[@AJDunnReads]

This is my karaoke song.

[@hora21100]

Please react to "Leave" and "Let Me In" both are great songs! Great video ☺️

[@jimnicosia5934]

It's a mandolin. Not a guitar.

[@Jacques.Smith_]

Used to be my favorite track...now "map of the problematique" by Muse usurped R.E.M

[@GGGritzer]

Watch the PROPER video. This is CENSORED!

[@nancylewis165]

Not a guitar… a mandolin!!

[@erikgilson1687]

Like most of REMs songs it's about a tortured gay relationship

[@foxkieran]

Lol, no.

[@idkhahahaha]

Delusional

[@erikgilson1687]

@@idkhahahaha Michael Stipe is gay, I don't know why this would be contentious I mean not every song is about relationships but this one clearly is, and he'd be writing from the mindset of a gay man