R.E.M. - World Leader Pretend, TourFilm (official video)

[@jasonrogers469]

Their version of this song at Wmbley Arena, London, 1989 was absolutely masterful. I bought the album before I saw them so I was very familiarized with all the songs on it and this one was by far my favorite. I remember so hoping that they would play it and was forever pleased when they did.

[@georgebergamini1108]

They were way ahead of their time! Brilliant!

[@AntiWarTexan]

One of the most beautiful poignant songs ever written, and yet it wouldn’t even make their greatest hits album.

[@warrensheinwald809]

That is the perfect comment-you are so right! They have so many hits.

[@Alan-gi2ku]

Agreed.

[@jeaner]

Amen! ❤️

[@zapaterodebiella8344]

So true but I’ll always remember this song as the only one with lyrics

[@brianplante-dv8uz]

What..greatest hits just means most sold.. This is THEIR GREATEST song..imho

[@marysolano4162]

I saw REM during the Green Tour at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia. One of the best concerts I had ever been to. I was 18 years old and just graduated high school. REM is from the 1980's but their music is timeless and hard to believe they came from that era. I love them and miss them.

[@craigeycav]

I saw them at Liverpool Royal Court on the same tour and still remember that night

[@TomDavisVideo]

i was there too.... "THAT BETTER NOT BE STYROFOAM"

[@bellaBdaughterofYAHAWAH7]

@@TomDavisVideo He said that to me and my cousin and our friend at the Greensboro, NC show where a majority of TOURFILM was filmed. We had made an R.E.M. banner and kept holding up between songs. We were so embarrassed Michael called us out!! Of course he didn't know who it was. After the concert we (and other fans) saw Michael behind the coliseum heading towards the bus and we tried to tell him it wasn't made out of styrofoam. Truly an awkward moment but he was really cool. Amazing concert and night! I have never forgotten it! :)

[@TomDavisVideo]

@@bellaBdaughterofYAHAWAH7 I think it was part of the script.. he said it at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia too

[@bellaBdaughterofYAHAWAH7]

@@TomDavisVideo Well, maybe but I know he did not say it at the other concert we went to on the same tour at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC. A lot of the songs on TOURFILM where the ones filmed at the Greensboro show-- the MC informed the audience the band was filming that night and would be part of history. If you watch that particular part on TF when he said it-- he pointed out to the audience and you can hear a faint "boo" (from us) in the background. No big deal but as it's all too funny now but back then my friends and I were silly teenagers who took offence to something really didn't even matter. :) There's an interview with Michael that came out almost 20 years later and he was talking about TF and he actually said he was talking to "some guy who was holding a cup". Lol!

[@jenniferw8066]

I had forgotten the chair part. Oh my gosh I wish I could go back and see it again. I had no idea what I was watching back then. Thank you R.E.M. 🫶🏻

[@susankeyes3392]

One of the best shows I have ever seen. Michael Stipe is genius.

[@welshcaesar]

America's greatest band.

[@HolmesAZ]

Neil Jenkins I always thought of them as the Beatles of the 80s!

[@billybeetroot8595]

The worlds greatest band, and that's from a Brit

[@greensombrero3641]

Yes! they were incredible, especially in the early days (for me). Some VERY powerful and moving music.

[@jacobfloyd6975]

The world's greatest band.

[@jacobfloyd6975]

@@HolmesAZ I used to think that, too. I was once a huge Beatles fan and REM fan. But as I grew older I realized the Beatles were more hype and marketing, and what they were doing had either already been done or was being done by others at the same time - and their biggest innovations were conducted by their producer, George Martin. REM is 100% genuine - better musicians, better composers, and Stipe is a better vocalist and lyricist. They actually have something to say. Next to REM, the Beatles just sound like a bunch of dumb kids banging away on rickety instruments in their dad's garage.

[@nevennekic5262]

Best song from GREEN and one of the best from their catalog. Incorporates all crucial elements of REM music as well.

[@ednieto05]

I saw this tour at the L.A. Forum while in college. Scored floor seats by calling Warner Bros. and asking for free concert tickets so I could review the show for my school paper. I couldn't believe they said yes and sent me tickets! Great show! Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians opened up.

[@ShaneHarmon]

A masterpiece. My favourite song of all time.

[@AM-ff6wv]

Love this song. Not the most popular in the album but the best one for me.

[@kevinhyland5524]

This is without doubt my fav REM tune, god l miss these guys so so much, after Hillsborough in 89 l wasnt in a good way but these beautiful guys helped me immensely x

[@joycehall4866]

mine too! So effing hot. love u Michael

[@namcewton4034]

If you never met them I can assure that Buck and Mills are absolute gentlemen and outstanding guys. I never heard Berry actually speak and almost got in a fistfight with Stipe, but they're all as cool offstage as on. And from America, can I offer my extremely belated condolences about HIllsborough? I hope you're not one of those who blamed my team's supporters, but even if you did, or do, I hope YNWA.

[@LoneCloudHopper]

You will always be in my heart, REM. My fav band of all time. :)

[@pwmac]

I saw three shows on the tour, each with the Go-Betweens supporting. I remember so clearly the hitting of the chair and unaccompanied vocal. It was 30 years ago but like it was yesterday. My favourite song from GREEN and superb version

[@LinoAgudelo]

I sit at my table and wage war on myself It seems like it's all, it's all for nothing I know the barricades And I know the mortar in the wall breaks I recognize the weapons, I used them well This is my mistake Let me make it good I raised the wall and I will be the one to knock it down I've a rich understanding of my finest defenses I proclaim that claims are left unstated I demand a rematch I decree a stalemate I divine my deeper motives I recognize the weapons I've practiced them well, I fitted them myself It's amazing what devices you can sympathize (empathize) This is my mistake Let me make it good I raised the wall and I will be the one to knock it down Reach out for me and hold me tight Hold that memory Let my machine talk to me, let my machine talk to me This is my world and I am world leader pretend This is my life And this is my time I have been given the freedom To do as I see fit It's high time I've razed the walls that I've constructed It's amazing what devices you can sympathize (empathize) This is my mistake Let me make it good I raised the wall and I will be the one to knock it down You fill in the mortar You fill in the harmony You fill in the mortar I raised the wall And I'm the only one I will be the one to knock it down

[@Augmuse]

Simply one of the best groups

[@dpm12]

This song is a masterpiece

[@theflyintheointment]

My dad gave me the TourFilm VHS when I was a kid. I played it to death, I was obsessed. It was only years and years later I understood the Gang of Four 'we live as we dream alone' intro. When I heard that Gof4 song for the first time it took me immediately back to this performance, I nearly fell off my chair. REM laid the foundations for every band I got into years later, bands who came before and after them.

[@nateriley4067]

Do you mind explaining what the "Gang of Four- We live as we dream alone intro" refers to, for the dumber people in the audience (such as myself)? Is that a reference to a Beatles song? Thank you kindly.

[@theflyintheointment]

@@nateriley4067 In the intro to this song Michael Stipe is singing 'We Live As We Dream, Alone' - a song by the band Gang Of Four

[@nateriley4067]

@@theflyintheointment OK, so the Gang of Four is a Band. Got it, thanks for the quick reply, I'll check out the referenced song now. R.E.M. fans are the best!

[@mrwriter1357]

One of my favourite bands.

[@allenmatheney8734]

so glad I got to call this my first concert ever. what a time for this band. during that particular show they even played a handful of Out of Time material. I recall hearing "Texarkana" and "Belong" at that show. we recorded it, I only wish I still had it. good night, great memories, thank you, R.E.M.

[@ColossalCrib]

Still listening. I was here 11 years ago.

[@jeffcobb2734]

More relevant today than ever before...

[@strumstrummer]

Too true Jeff. The Album Green changed my whole perspective towards life at the time. I'm still a world leader pretend though. :) Hey Trump, I built the wall and I will be the only one to knock it down. Hey Clint, I built the wall and I will be the only one to knock it down. Shine on man, leave all your past shit high in the Attic. ;)

[@jukkaollikainen]

And here we are, two years later. All the best from Finland.

[@damouldo]

Yesss.2020 Dec covid lockdown.

[@toamatau8785]

Except this song doesn't even have anything to do with politics and is a timeless song of personal struggle lmao, did you just hear the words "world leader" and assume it was about presidents

[@johnunderwood3132]

This has to be one of the best songs!! Everything about it. Love REM

[@emillypaviotti]

My favourite band, REM

[@thefiregazers]

Amazing song, those were REM best years. Cheers! The Firegazers

[@TheUglyPrimadonna]

Awesome! I wish I could see them love one last time! World leader pretend is still one of my faves!

[@sandraferrari7148]

Nicolas Vollmer 9

[@brianmac9063]

Wow! Still relevant!

[@waynewanderer]

this is utterly sublime!!! , life is short and precious and yet i have literally spent HOURS and HOURS watching this

[@rossellacasati4383]

I più grandi del pianeta da sempre e per sempre. REM MERAVIGLIOSAMENTEUNICI ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@pietrospagnesi8999]

Inimitabili

[@rossellacasati4383]

@@pietrospagnesi8999 ❤️

[@pietrospagnesi8999]

@@rossellacasati4383 like

[@themusic5229]

I love R.E.M. ❤️️❤️️❤️️...they were so talented, too bad they have broken up now & are no longer together to give us even more great music.😢 I love R.E.M. ❤️️❤️️❤️️...they were so talented, too bad they have broken up now & are no longer together to give us even more great music.😢

[@EvenFlow1970]

Best Tour ever! I can still hear the crack of that music stand to this day.

[@altairtime]

Wow!! Thank you guys!! Beautiful and wonderfully authentic.

[@danjsy]

Great tune, one of their best.

[@FabrizioRico-oz7pq]

A me questo video fa impazzire, tutto è perfetto. L'interpretazione di michael è sublime,tutto,voce,movimenti ,tutto mi fa impazzire...)))

[@acercade439]

Derriba las murallas Michael.😍😘

[@simonmccreery3295]

This, Song. Makes me Cry.

[@eleonorabrambilla2936]

Best Rem Song ever

[@alejandrocurado5134]

I saw them live on this tour in New Mexico State University in 1989. It was one of the best concerts I have ever seen in my life

[@stevemarshall2049]

This is the song that made me love them xx

[@kylekilleen3891]

Saw the Green tour at Shoreline Amphitheatre, October 1989. Great concert, great band, great times.

[@Lyndanet]

This is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard

[@LuisMartinez-gl5tw]

great song!!

[@TheOrangization]

Mike's bass sounds so awesome here

[@Kerri36982]

It always sounds awesome lol

[@ixeyeb]

@bassmanjoe always has been, his backing vocals and the musical skills of an amazing band.

[@brucetaylor5782]

Love this song so much ❤️

[@Alan-gi2ku]

Sends shivers thru me.

[@daviswall3319]

I saw them in Baton Rouge on this tour. Man they were so good-

[@haydentottingham743]

Simply the best

[@rarapas]

I love this song and this performance, perfect!

[@simonmccreery3295]

M

[@debbie3081]

Love this song ❤

[@stipevedder]

Amazing, doesn't get much better

[@thomasburton9328]

One of the best albums all time

[@joeyattaway2685]

this is my world and i am and this is my life and this is my time

[@Pechorinlives]

This 1989 tour looked amazing, I wish I could have been old enough for it. Like the 1989 Metallica '..And justice for all' tour (also available on KZbin, 1989 gig in Seattle), two years before they became global with the Black Album. Same as REM two years before 'Out of time'. This tour, obviously showcasing the Green album tracks, and probably a ton from 'Murmur', '..Pageant', 'Document'; great visuals even though they'd not reached the peak yet of stage set and arenas. A great album as a counterpoint in America in the late 80s for those who thought the rock chart was going to be all 'Pour some sugar on me' and 'Love in an elevator' with no comment as to what's going on culturally and politically.

[@MsMURMURS]

Super!I love you REM!!!!Big greetings from Budapest!!!

[@bleckgilbert7875]

My favorite😍🎼🎼🎼😃🎼🎼

[@TheKlokan44]

the world sadly misses another REM to help us makes sense of it all

[@davemartin2103]

My favorite song from my favorite band

[@mondo6567]

This is my mistake Let me make it good I raised the wall And I will be the one to knock it down

[@peggyfranzen6159]

Always poetic and timely.

[@ste3691]

Masterpiece. Great! ❤

[@williamphillips2994]

The world should now know what they have missed and are missing REM

[@dartanghaneluard2263]

The Best One! LOVE forever! : )

[@MrMkayultra]

Love

[@amissedwingproduction]

My favorite off of Green. Turn You Inside-Out is second.

[@jenniferkonstant5920]

Perfection.

[@spjfrat]

I’ve always loved Green. Hard to pick their best album, so I don’t try.

[@robertkuhn-qr6vb]

Your 100% right. Impossible task. Just enjoy their greatness. But if I had too pick , my pick is Automatic for the People.

[@anacristinasilva3254]

BRASIL😍

[@johnniejukebox]

''...and I'll be the one to knock it down..''

[@mariaibanez487]

Gran tema desde lima Peru

[@DrFoche]

MY FAVORITE REM SONG, fall on me ia close

[@josefinebliss2801]

Fantastic

[@joet7644]

Beautiful masterpiece. I always found it interesting that it was the only lyric Stipe published until Up. The lyrics ar great.

[@duncanwcraig9668]

they came to New Zealand in 1989. great gig at the Wellington Town Hall.

[@antonioeisadora]

He sings WE LIVE AS WE DREAM, ALONE by GANG OF FOUR in the beginning.

[@KM-zw9qb]

yep, good song

[@junkboxxxxxx]

The title is by Joseph Conrad actually, in Heart of Darkness

[@susankramer1206]

RIP Andy Gill

[@nicolasviallard8372]

Masterpiece

[@OllieInArlington]

This is the concert where Michael plays the back of a chair. Love this song. Apropos today.

[@94definicion]

we live as we dream alone

[@AntonioGallardo2092]

I like this song. Always on muy mind...

[@garycook3512]

Agree. Gary from England

[@m4tiste]

M'y favoris song ! On the best . Tanks for that

[@fraserbailey6347]

I guess this was the 1989 tour. I saw them on that tour, the fourth and final time I saw them. Great memories, especially the first time I saw them in 1984, when I cried.

[@jennifergebert538]

rem saving me now

[@richardg3688]

My 7th favourite REM song

[@brholland62]

You speak my world.

[@dacapo]

RIP Andy Gill (1956-2020) - Gang of Four

[@TheUglyPrimadonna]

Still with good ol' Bill on the drums :)

[@Alan-gi2ku]

He didn’t leave till 4 more albums came out, just after New Adventures in High Fi.

[@damouldo]

Green was is amazing...if you have a soul..

[@liamwaterman2065]

That intro lyric is from a Gang of Four song... very cool, I didn't know Michael Stipe listened to them

[@elfpower8300]

ReM opened for Gang of Four in the early days.

[@damouldo]

95 & 97... With my own ears n eyes..

[@jorgeno-remix679]

Super song!

[@ColossalCrib]

favourite song

[@mariearaujo3411]

Rem I'm your fan I like your song Congratulations a hug

[@nautiluslounge]

Stipe is such a powerful figure. A queer icon, to represent the *really* queer. And became nearly the biggest rock star in the world, but only because of the zeitgeist shift he created

[@Kateyvr]

Everytime I listen to their songs, I feel like just finished a shower.

[@ScienceofShadows]

love this song

[@henriquenoronha1352]

Finalmente vamos ter um ministro da cultura sensível

[@eduardomota2429]

Michae Stipe?

[@blisston]

More apt today than ever

[@royferguson3909]

just found this version, so good

[@danutin]

AMAZING!

[@damouldo]

Love it.

[@Kateyvr]

Agree.I missed their live concert.