R.E.M. - Perfect Circle

[@jeromegigon6184]

I listened this song when I was 17 I'm 43 today and I still listening it with the same emotion

[@thomasmccraney3197]

Probably one of the finest REM songs ever recorded.

[@samlelowitch]

So many good ones!

[@iangrubb6470]

Can't disagree!!! Hard to believe that this was on Murmur!!!

[@hw343434]

This live performance though doesn’t stand up to the original at all imo

[@kevinw8688]

@@hw343434 This live performance is awesome. Not at all sure what they should have done.

[@drewwho4625]

agreed.... so beautiful

[@kevinw8688]

Is this like one of the greatest songs ever?

[@bazookajoe6760]

what the fuck is the song about

[@tralala1958]

Yes.

[@deirdreshea3386]

YES

[@gregparker2302]

Indeed

[@Jiv_Ing57819]

Is what I was thinking hehehe : -D 👍

[@peterolson5232]

Berry wrote and played the piano on this one: every member of REM was totally integral to their sound. A true band in every sense. I can still remember the very first time I heard Radio Free Europe - love at first listen.

[@donnagilbert1127]

Mine too

[@66flamer]

i'm getting chills. i was so so lucky to see them in 1986. fables tour. it was astounding. a religious thing without the pulpit. thank you r.e.m. for inspiring my whole life.

[@woodLG]

Fables is one of my faves, that and Murmur and Document. saw the Document tour. but fables was special.

[@peterolson5232]

Totally - saw them on the Little America tour, then the Reconstruction and Paegent tours - I ate, slept and breathed this band for about 4 years... then by Document the frat boys started to show up at their shows and it felt like genie was out of the box.

[@dispirted8]

I misread the top comment at first and thought a new, Beatles-inspired, nickname for the band had been coined: “The Fables Four”

[@jillpannill2578]

Yes I saw Fables Tour in St. Pete. Great show; such a thrill to see this band… they were enigmatic.

[@jillpannill2578]

@@peterolson5232 omg you’re SO right! Everything changed when the frat boys sang “Superman!”

[@ivorbigonee]

my teenage years still continue with rem

[@bellerophon30]

Bill Berry is credited by the band in interviews as the main songwriter here. If this is his legacy in music......well it's an amazing one.

[@iangrubb6470]

Pretty much played everything for the band. They kinda sucked after he left. He wrote a helluva lot of great songs. Find The River for one.

[@bellerophon30]

In the pantheon of rock drummers/songwriters, he's right up there at the apex with Henley, Ullrich, and Peart (I'm sure I'm forgetting at least one big name).

[@QuillPGall]

bellerophon30 bill ward from Black Sabbath

[@3jinxremoving]

Ulrich?! Lol

[@fredh1720]

@@iangrubb6470 I didn't know he did Find The River. I guess Everybody Hurts is his masterpiece.

[@Suzibird307]

Such a beautiful version of this song. I swear, Michael could sing the phonebook (with backing harmonies, of course) and I'd be mesmerized.

[@k33k32]

so nice to see the lyrics...i've been singing random words all these years! LOL

[@pjseverns5701]

All I can do is hit replay again and again and again. Oh and Peter Buck, sigh... So very easy on the eyes

[@samlelowitch]

Mike Mills' bass playing on this tune (as usual) propels the song so magnificently! I also love his singing voice.

[@ClueSign]

He's like their most valuable player.

[@kevinw8688]

@@ClueSign No he's not, they all are. I LOVE Millsy, don't get me wrong, but this band isn't REM without Buck, Berry and Stipe. I realize musically, Berry was maybe "more replacable", but he did a lot behind the scenes in writing and arranging. In short, REM does not exist without all 4 of those guys.

[@citehman]

Mike Mills background vocals on this and So. Central Rain really make the songs.

[@camilavega9480]

I will not rest until I get enought of this magical music. I can't believe how many years I lived without it

[@joycehall4866]

Perfect song Perfect band

[@derekwilliams1660]

For some reason,this song makes me cry every time I hear it. It's an incredible song.

[@mrU4-YA]

Great Song, Great Band, Great to see them young and vibrant in their prime. This is my favorite song from Murmur

[@TheRagazza2008]

What a precious wee gem this still is. Brilliant version too. Thanks for posting!

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

What an incredible song

[@kvhowells]

My favorite REM song 💖

[@christinopessoadossantosfi9866]

Uma das mais lindas canções de todos os tempos. Viva o REM!!!!

[@spankyx8606]

close of side one. i can remember drifting off to sleep as the side played out, like what the song is describing.

[@AstroCorex]

I f the world could listen to these guy now in 2018, we would see and hear that music is the earth's spoken language. REM you guys made my life what it is today..............greatest live album ever!

[@eautiger]

Amen. Me too.

[@superawesomescience911]

i remember downloading ever REM song i could find on kazaa back in the 90s and finding a live version of this song which became my favorite REM song. this video is super close to that version. in the version i had from kazaa when he sings "pull your dress on" there's a guy in the background that yells "YYYYEEEEEAAAAH." only difference in the versions but still memorable to me. love it.

[@karenwebster2465]

FUNNY..NOT the song for that! ...But tempting...🤣

[@MsMcmoe]

I got to see REM in the mid '90s, they were just fabulous~

[@jimm9051]

seeing them play colleges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island back in 1984 was everything to me

[@paullagasse5504]

As I am from Massachusetts i wish I was there but in 84 I was only 4 and was a little late to the rem party kinda herd of them in the early 90,s but really started to get into them in the early 2,000 and started going through there back catalog and fell in love with them and luckily for me got to see them 3 times 03 04 and 08 before they called it a day also saw Peter buck play in a small club in Massachusetts in 2019 and he came out after the show and i got to meet him that was pretty cool as from 2001 when I started to pay attention to present day r.e.m. is my favorite band

[@bluecalix]

Absolutely beautiful

[@lefkytheshin]

Michael's got hair! Good years.

[@CharismaStrategies]

"Speak out sometimes... and try to win.."

[@weedywendy4266]

i read your comment just a michael stipe sang the words :)

[@karenwebster2465]

Synchronicity

[@Dreamskater100]

Too good. Love Perfect Circle. Viva R.E.M, Michael Stype, Peter Buck, David Byrne et al always. x

[@matthewstetson1840]

You forgot Marc Boland. What the hell?

[@rajwahi7387]

WOW those backing vocals are beautiful! I'd forgotten how much I love this song.

[@lauraflameprincess3036]

The world needs more rem 💗

[@brianmcdonald9298]

I grew up with them and saw them 6 X in uni. I think they said that when they heard this song they realized they were good. Reminds me of my college girlfriend and all is good

[@DanielleBachmann-v2n]

Having chills all over my body. This is awesome ❤❤❤

[@jillpannill2578]

Brings back those memories of youth.

[@andrewhyde5525]

Genius, that's all that can be said

[@SandroSechi-gg9cj]

One all the best songs🤘🤘🤘

[@matthewstetson1840]

Astonishingly beautiful, this never fails to move me.

[@chmick50]

9 straight exceptional albums (including Chronic Town). 9. Unparalleled. The best band there ever was.

[@JohnDoe-sx2zk]

the first 6 albums were great...then they started to suck

[@rascott1970]

@@JohnDoe-sx2zk the quality went when the hair went in my view

[@EzidioAlvesPereira]

Ouvi o album murmur no spotify, o primeiro disco do REM,excelente!

[@bobmattos9449]

I heard it when it was first released, and totally agree, excellent!!!!

[@Jiv_Ing57819]

Normally u may say this persons genius but band were genius : -D

[@DanielleBachmann-v2n]

Michael a rare gem❤❤❤

[@jeffduggan387]

I saw them at Midway stadium in st. Paul, Minnesota. Awesome!

[@VanHellsing12]

It was revealed this was written in an iconic alternative music clubs parking lot. REM in their van were watched playing football supposedly. City gardens ♥

[@karenwebster2465]

I have a hard time believing that explanation. It's a beautiful song, but loaded! For me... it sounds like they're involved in an Illuminati ritual. "11 GALLOWS on your sleeve". Standing to soon. 12 bloodline families. 1 group GETS to go. Somebody is in charge of them. Put your dress on...We GET to leave. Somebody had their dress off for a reason. Stay real close. (He's protecting someone). Notice how Michael nods solemnly and raises his hand as if to say he gets no choice. They are laying it out for you here. They get to leave because no one was a sacrifice. Who was sacrificed prior?? MANY- Kurt Cobain, River Phoenix to name a few...list is long. Hollywood is a dark place. REM gives you plenty hints in their lyrics and music.

[@jasonpeters9716]

Best American band

[@maryannstipe8964]

Love this song so much!!!😘😘😘😘

[@christinopessoadossantosfi9866]

Lindíssima.

[@matthewstetson711]

Was sorry to hear that Peter Holsapple (on piano here) had a falling out with REM over writing credits for songs on Green. Supposedly it's covered in the follow up to It Crawled From The South. I have a library card and I gotta use it here.

[@stuartcarter7053]

I think this live version is even better than the og recording

[@sullers1986]

They performed it with more confidence. I prefer this version also

[@lz56able]

just amazing, best REM song IMO

[@jorgeno-remix679]

Such magical song.

[@jacoroux8700]

for me the best thing on Tourfilm. magic.

[@dalevalido5089]

Can't figure out what. The sighn he's holding but this song gives me goosebumps perfect micheal stipe

[@karenwebster2465]

I think he's raising his musical stand high to signify "standing too soon...shoulders high in the room" Bring an ominous quality to how that feels.... Painting the picture.

[@plarriega]

Excelent!!

[@jimmoffatt6435]

Classic REM tune

[@PlanetaryElement]

Simply sublime! What a fantastic post, i feel privileged! Thank you so very much! : )

[@mr.timebombman2230]

My favorite from Murmur

[@rogerio.amancio]

absolutely beautiful!!!!

[@rossellacasati4383]

Geniali, REM MERAVIGLIOSAMENTEUNICI ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@davidellis5141]

A Perfect Song. 🔵

[@christopherhlad3397]

Whoah. THANKS.

[@7c9ND2el]

This is from, "Tour Film" back in 88/89. Your post is of great quality!!! At the end (3:38) I think he says, "...standing to serve." ...but I could be wrong.

[@georgezuniga6298]

beautiful.

[@sergiolujan9]

george shackleford h

[@rogerh7487]

Possible mis-transposition: I think at the end he says standing to sooth shoulders... He keeps that lyric to himself until the very end, and it explains "heaven assumes shoulders..."

[@joyvandesales4377]

I love REM.😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@chandand5740]

Just perfect

[@ivorbigonee]

im crying again :)

[@maxswrlx]

Me too! I don’t know what it is about this song. It kinda doesn’t make much sense but I think it’s more of a feeling that is evokes

[@creepycraig73]

Pull your dress on might be the best lyric of the 80s. Maybe ever.

[@kinggoji62]

@TheWorldinProgress Greensboro NC 1989. I was there.

[@beginthebeginkc2485]

So love!

[@peterlorrequartet6559]

brilliance

[@benildeelizabethlozanomena1983]

Increíble rem at their best

[@Throckie1]

Perfect....Circle

[@retrorage1]

Thanks for posting! Really nice video!

[@snowpea10]

I think shoulders high is meaning put your shoulders up and reach for wings

[@DAXRENTERIA]

Por Siempre. R.E.M....!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@dontfeedthemilkshake]

Peter's confusing the hell out of me. He's playing with a capo, which he almost never does, but even though it's on the second fret he's still playing in the correct key. What gives? Is his 12-string tuned a whole step down to D?

[@jimbailey5681]

He wanted to play open position chords. The capo made that easier

[@dontfeedthemilkshake]

@@jimbailey5681 I could see that, but capo 2 doesn't really work for F chords. Do you think his guitar is tuned down? Watching his chord shapes, I feel like that has to be the case. Regardless I don't see why Peter felt the need to do that, he played 12 strings throughout the 80's and had .13 guage strings, so I wonder what compelled him to switch things up for this.

[@jimbailey5681]

I think he was using Peter Holsapple's 12-string, which I believe was tuned down. I guess since it's such a pain to retune a 12-string, the easiest route was to use a capo. I've not seen 'Tourfilm' in years, but I do remember seeing a few shots of Holsapple playing that guitar to supplement Peter's playing. Puzzles me too, but that's all I can figure

[@dontfeedthemilkshake]

Jim Bailey there we go! Peter very sparingly changed tuning, so it makes sense it was Holsapple's. Thanks for clearing that up!

[@cuarto7705]

argentina 2022!

[@dunlaoghaire]

what a song... it could be about Donald.

[@axeman6104]

Put your hair back, we get to leave Eleven gallows on your sleeve Shallow figured winner's paid Eleven shadows way out of place Standing too soon, shoulders high in the room Standing too soon, shoulders high in the room Standing too soon, shoulders high in the room Pull your dress on and stay real close Who might leave you where I left off? A perfect circle of acquaintances and friends Drink another, coin a phrase Heaven assumed, shoulders high in the room Heaven assumed, shoulders high in the room Heaven assumed, shoulders high in the room Try to win and suit your needs Speak out sometimes but try to win Standing too soon, shoulders high in the room Standing too soon, shoulders high in the room Standing too soon, shoulders high in the room Standing too soon, shoulders high in the room Standing too soon, shoulders high in the room

[@SandroSechi-gg9cj]

Ya' rally!!?

❤️✨✨✨

[@LeBrutalTube]

Who´s the keyboardist?

[@laurabeane8862]

"Heaven Assumed Shoulders High in A Room".......

[@naldosilva1630]

hehehehe sonzera

[@jimbailey5681]

Bill Berry wrote this one

[@leandroleandro410]

Se eu cantasse tão bem como o Michael stipe provavelmente eu não seria vagabundo kkkkk

[@laurabeane8862]

Standing Too Soon

[@goodtasteofmusicclub8438]

The same as the audio. HOW COULD THEY DO THIS :p

[@kimzimmer550]

Good Taste of Music Club i

[@ivorbigonee]

micheal you have ruined my life :)

[@heilygonzalez7352]

[@andrewgreen1970]

Doubling on the snare just doesn't work for me.

[@matthewstetson711]

Stipe's barber should have been arrested for that haircut.

[@matthewstetson711]

Two reasons why I made the comment. 1. Because Stipe himself has spoken about that hair cut and how bad it was and B. because his barber should have been arrested for it. Was never fixated with it when watching Tourfilm all those years ago and obviously it's more about him singing live in concert and being able to front his band which he does here admirably. Bill has such a feeling for this song and that makes sense since he wrote the music for it.

[@lordsofoctoberofficial]

I can't picture him at like Super Cuts just handing them a picture of some punk rock guy and hoping for the best. He had to have directed this haircut. Lol

[@lordsofoctoberofficial]

Perfect song.

[@johncrawford]

It’s not any of them had great hairdos. Personally, I love it because it’s different and he is clearly about to lose most of his hair.

[@melorafoy7109]

Great song, horrible haircut.

[@georgezuniga6298]

beautiful.