What Makes This Song Great? "Losing My Religion" R.E.M.

In this episode of "What Makes This Song Great? Ep.77" we explore the music of Athens, GA legends R.E.M.
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[@markmurthen7068]

Mike Mills was the secret weapon. Peter Buck was so underrated. Bill Berry always did what was perfect for the song. Michael Stipe was without parallel... Basically REM were the perfect band!

[@void0094]

True. Peter Buck provided melody without being a flashy guitar player.

[@ThatGuyThanus]

Exactly. Never the same after Bill left. Made me realise how important a great drummer was to a band.. and Mike Mills - legendary !

[@Daniel-vb6um]

All four where amazing musicians, but I agree with what you said about Mike mills

[@jbrown7403]

And Mike’s backing vocals were sooooo complimentary to Michael’s voice!

[@Vibeagain]

I don't think peter buck was underrated. Under appreciated, perhaps

[@dankydiecast5686]

This song was playing on the jukebox when I walked up to a beautiful young lady at the bar and asked her if I could buy her a drink. She’s been my wife now for a little over 24 years. REM has the mojo baby.

[@jaymueller2418]

BigCat9966 👍👍👍

[@ronsworld250]

Very cool story and congrats on a long and continuing marriage. Michael’s voice and Peter’s mandolin did the trick, huh?

[@johnbevan4684]

Great story! May love increase!

[@MultiPleaser]

My college fiance was a big REM fan. Turns out I was just her f buddy, and didn't know it. :( It's been 28 happy years without her! LOL. I still like REM though.

[@PencilNeckedGeek]

Considering the song is all about a guy pining for someone who doesn't know he exists makes your story all the better, Danky.

[@gridlore]

I love these videos because they are training my ears to hear so much more in the music I love.

[@kylebookout1789]

Exactly douglas! I love Ricks breakdowns.

[@fmsolee]

Rick's dissection of the songs makes them enjoyable in another level. I really appreciate it. And I don't even like this song.

[@gg_rider]

Echo and ditto. I'm not a musician nor aspiring but the breakdown is showing me details and complexity of music writing and playing decisions that I couldn't otherwise fathom. I don't even have much of an ear for the different chords he is describing, but I'm gradually getting a feel for how we respond to hearing certain combinations and constructions.

[@spellboundty]

I'd suggest learning a little about each instrument. The more you learn, even if it's just a little, will shape how you hear music and enhance your aural palate in turn casting a new light on songs you've heard many times before.

[@robingardella6240]

Yes, well put - exactly!

[@spellboundty]

Did anyone else get chills when they heard the strings and vocals isolated?

[@Lisbonized]

Spellbound46and2 I love it when that happens in music!

[@iknowyouarebutwhatami1]

As I listened to that part, I thought to myself, "This is like going to church."

[@george474747]

@8:38, absolutely... and @13:32 when the more rhythmic strings come in, it's haunting to the point of being highly disturbing. It's deathly. Michael Stipe's singing accent sounds weirdly Irish, on the edge of that yodelly sound you hear in The Cranberries. I find it magical... His vocals are so special. I don't understand how he's not talked about as the best singer of his generation.

[@george474747]

...And not to mention the pure voice @6:32. It might be more powerful than the original song.

[@matthewsolina4920]

I’d like a strings and vocal version. It’s so cool.

[@JasonAllenUK]

The worst thing about these videos is when Rick says: "That's all for now." I could watch episodes for hours.

[@artturnerjr]

I just spent an hour watching WMTSG video I had missed. 8)

[@trexkiller3904]

I watch them over and over to mitigate that worst thing.

[@davidgomersall7185]

These are my go to "chill out on an evening" videos. Pour a glass of scotch, headphones on and find out "What makes a song great?"

[@alfredt6180]

super addictive contents indeed.

[@ILoveDawko]

I know! he didn't even talk about the backing vocals and harmonies...

[@spoonieAB3]

Mike Mills bass tone is the absolute grail. Unreal all the time. And he’s also probably the best backing vocalist of all time. Never gets half the attention and kudos he deserves

[@homoerectus6953]

agree totally.

[@HOLYHOUSE]

Yep. You take away Mike Mills' backing vocals, you lose about 1/3rd of the "character" that makes REM such a great band. Simply irreplaceable. Listen to songs like "Get Up" and "Moral Kiosk" and countless others and you realize that Mills counted as two band members.

[@margaretgehler9580]

His backing vocals were more like a second lead going on, just so rare and so perfect.

[@Loogaroo1]

"The lengths that I will go to, the distance in your eyes" is one of the single best-written lines in music.

[@SaltyStU2]

"Consider this. Consider this the hint of the century. Consider this the slip that brought me to my knees..." is one of my favourite lyrics of all time

[@paulsmith5150]

Stuart O failed

[@jaymueller2418]

Loogaroo I’ve gone back to so many of these bands from the 90’s...was never really into REM as a youngun...they’re amazing.

[@johnh7018]

I hate to break it to you guys but the lyrics in this song are random and non sensical. Just saying........

[@ikesours6558]

@@johnh7018 No they're not. It's a love song.

[@MikeLuke]

One of the best songs in pop/rock history. A masterpiece. I you listen to a song even 30 years later and the hook still catches you over and over again, you know what they created here. Thanks for this, Rick.

[@63002]

There best song esp live

[@gamzer]

The ascending bass line makes this song. This song was everywhere when I was a kid and I always sang that part before I played music not really knowing why it was so good.

[@jmpsthrufyre]

Mills is an awesome bassist, one of the best In my opinion. He's a very good singer too.

[@pcole11]

A highly underrated musician. His bass line makes South Central Rain, and his piano playing on Perfect Circle and Satellite is incredible. REM would not be the same band without him.

[@brianmiller1077]

@@pcole11 He's like John Paul Jones in Led Zep. Always tasteful basslines but his keyboard work makes him the special sauce that makes everything better.

[@pcole11]

Oops, I meant Electrolyte.

[@johnnycto7576]

I thought mandolin makes the song!

[@mimoochodom2684]

Stipe's voice had this amazing nuance that has been, is and will be, without parallel.

[@TokyoBlue587]

His voice just grabs your soul somehow

[@sirmadrigal6427]

I think it’s that his voice has so much imperfection, I tend to like singers who have kind of scratchy voices cause to me it portrays more humanity.

[@robertmcgovern8850]

Limited range -- but so had Billie Holliday. Stipe works really well w/in an octave or so, with so nice modulations and almost Brazilian quarter-tones. The other thing he does so well in this song is moving the line lengths and downbeats around. In poetry, the techniques are called 'enjambment' and 'caesura': wrapping around a line here, slapping a pause in the middle of a linethere. You get a LOT of it in Fleetwood Mac songs, esp. Stevie's writing. (Her solo track "Edge of Seventeen" is exhibit A, how to play with line lengths.)

[@mimoochodom2684]

@@robertmcgovern8850 Very true. I use to sing in a band when I was younger and back in the days it seemed to be all about how high a rock singer could go. Stipe torched us all....and laughed all the way to the bank. lol.

[@HOPEat]

I agree. I always thought he should collaborate either Stevie Nicks and Billy Jo Armstrong for an awesome song.

[@bens2631]

When you pulled out just the strings and vocal. Such a good sound.

[@JayCAlan]

Absolutely. I was trying to decide if the strings are synth. I think they are.

[@gsmith207]

Nailed it on Bill Berry. My fav drummer ever. And just an amazing musician. Added to the the music just what it needed. And when he left there was no way to replace that soul.

[@63002]

Very solid drummer..... But that's CRAZY.

[@davidbusby2550]

I never truly appreciated this song until now. Goosebumps. Especially when the strings came in towards the end. Thanks Rick.

[@thekurse]

@robert proctor Same! Always love the song; now I feel like I *appreciate* it.

[@johnmorgan5495]

What makes Rick great to follow is his teenage enthusiasm coupled with his mature mans knowledge & experience and of course his hair X

[@PearlJamaholic]

How could you not talk about the lyrics a little bit? The lyrics are so perfect for the song, trying to tell someone your feelings but being cryptic so you dont have to expose yourself and thinking your secret message will be easily understood if they feel the same way. This song is amazing on every level.

[@syrupcore]

Amen for calling out Mike's part. It makes the whole 'thing' happen. Also, his harmony part at the end... gold.

[@Nevets1073]

Mills and Berry often have really good harmonies as well as backing vocals on songs that don't get enough credit.

[@jeffoff7795]

R.E.M. doesn't get the recognition they deserve. They were very influential in their prime.

[@outtolunch88]

And their prime started with Radio Free Europe.

[@ILoveDawko]

@@somercet1 True, but he managed one last album - new adventures - which for me is the greatest record they made. To be fair to him, he basically nearly died and you can see why he left.

[@GET2222]

@@outtolunch88 Everything after Life's Rich Pageantry was the down turn for me. It was good, but their sound pivoted. Yeah they needed to evolve, but Stipes lyrics became less of an instrument that blended into the band. Later, the band supported him and his message. That's when I stopped the rotation of the newer albums in my collection. Meaning, they had some good tunes, but those early albums I don't have a favorite song. The whole album was a gem.

[@andocobo]

@@somercet1 I agree, I remember REM being an enormous band

[@dhollsynthmusic]

REM were one of the biggest rock bands in the world, the mainstream music press would alternate between them and U2 for the number 1 crown (until OK Computer blew them both away).

[@befuddled2010]

I know nothing about music whatsoever, but I have watched so many of Rick's song dissections and have come away from these experiences with so much gratitude for his ability to identify and relate why I enjoy these songs so much even if I will never be able to understand it myself. To me this is a wonderful thing and this is simply a great channel.

[@mitchweiner]

I agree! I wish I could sing and play instruments! This is my favorite KZbin channel for the explanation you gave!

[@wolfz9146]

What always amazed me about REM was how they got your mind and emotions to move as well as your body. I thought of REM as the masters of the three to five minute song that led you on a journey from the beginning to its satisfying completion but still left you wanting more.

[@integral]

Michael's voice with just the strings is haunting, magnificent.

[@ShotDownInFlames2]

"Losing my religion" is a Southern phrase for "getting angry" meaning that he's about to start cussing. Michael Stipe's affections (hints of the century) were not being returned by the person he had affection for. Brilliant writing. Thanks for the great video.

[@kilgoretrout3966]

As Michael said recently, the true etymology of that phrase is, (i've) "Lost my Religion", which is essentially means that events have taken me beyond my wit's end to the point i've lost my religion. In Southern Culture, it is indeed a strong statement. A person may use this phrase rather than swearing (taking The Lord's Name in vain) but in its way, it is the same thing. Being brought to the point of taking The Lord's Name in vain is essentially, possibly literally, having lost sight of one's religion in the face of tribulation. Don't ya just love people that feverishly study minutiae?

[@jmpsthrufyre]

Losing one's s***, basically. Not that I'm equating religion with s***. It just occurred to me all of a sudden. And what the heck is an all of a sudden anyway? Could there be less than all of a sudden? like half of a sudden? Three-quarters of a sudden?

[@ShotDownInFlames2]

@@kilgoretrout3966 "At my wit's end" is a good explanation, or "losing one's s**t". I can imagine a Dad saying "you'd better clean your room, I'm gonna be losing my religion in a minute." Not that he's going to quit his religion because of it, more a warning that he's getting too emotional to control his anger. Maybe it's minutia but I have to admire Stipe for turning the idea into amazing lyrics.

[@kilgoretrout3966]

@@ShotDownInFlames2 Yes, exactly! and i guess it is that type of word play that drew me into the minutiae. i discovered them in 1982...very early on, and the EP and first 5 LPs are still their best, and perhaps one of the most sustained, hottest entries into music. By now we that love them have read all the early lyrics..and it doesn't ruin it for me. Michael kinda was like another instrument that drove the mood in the early music. As a coincidence, i decided yesterday to learn "Gardening at Night", then today i find Rick of Atlanta at last does a "What Makes..." video of R.E.M. Sometimes life can make ya smile like that...and what a fun song to play. The "only Peter Buck" aspect is that you tune the high e to d, and make it ring throughout, it is rarely fretted, and provides a great tension in the right places. Buck is so very underrated...why...because he didn't take enough solos? i dunno, bu the way he picks thru chords in varying patterns may be one of the largest influences on my playing style. Great Schtuff, man!

[@timothycormier3494]

See, now if I had known that! I’d probably liked this song more when I was 17

[@BDUBZ49]

I heard this song 6,922 times on pop radio in the summer of '92 (along with Friday, I'm In Love) and still didn't notice some of the nuances Rick points out here.

[@Severinate]

91 was such a great year, sometimes I think we could have that again, but that was just a dream.

[@B_Rowen]

Seriously. Not only what Rick mentioned, but GnR and Metallica, RHCP, and Boot Scootin Boogie, if you're into that kinda thing

[@Severinate]

@@B_Rowen Dinosaur Jr, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, Kyuss.... Hell of a year....

[@TheDutchCreeperTDC]

The early nineties were probably the golden age of alternative rock. Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana, The Pixies, The Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead. Most of them bands that rose to fame during this period.

[@jacobwaller8711]

Loveless and Spiderland were also released in 91, such a great year for alternative music

[@rockingamer100]

In my opinion its in the top 3 best years of music along with 75' and 68'

[@woodykerr]

In addition to Mike Mills’ melodic bass playing, his vocal harmonies in this song and in so many REM songs are iconic.

[@juhos30000]

The One I Love.... and dont forget his lead vocals in song "Texarkana"

[@dangerkeith3000]

@@juhos30000 And the melodic last verse to So. Central Rain. That's the best part of the song imo.

[@Mike-jq9jo]

Mike Mills is the ultimate back up singer! Just awesome!

[@GGRetroRally]

For me the real genius of this is that the opening riff sounds “happy” with the mandolin and guitar but the song is actually really sad.

[@rafaelpretto292]

"Help" - The Beatles

[@mindfield7]

The Smiths were masters of this.

[@batya7]

Same reaction here.

[@bryinthe619]

Sting is really good at writing songs in a major key that sound happy, but the content of the song is sad. All This Time is a good example.

[@bryanlettow4389]

Yeah you're totally right. I kind of knew that subconsciously but didn't really realize that til you said it. That mandolin and rythym section does really groove in an upbeat way but the singing seems like it makes it more dissonant in certain spots and the lyrics are pretty sad.

[@postive-vibes]

Mike Mills is definitely one of the most underrated bass players out there. Really key to REM's sound.

[@jackhaugh]

Man, this is actually one of my favorite songs of all time, for one simple reason. I was in the Army and deployed in Bosnia at camp Bedrock which was just a miserable place. This particular day it was just pouring rain down in buckets, and a young guy came out of one of the GP medium tents we slept in and started playing and singing one of the most heartfelt renditions of this (or pretty much any ) song I’ve ever heard. Every one there was pissed they were there to begin with, missed their families, and were tired of slogging through mud as deep as your knees that the rain was only making worse. Nothing but emotion in his song.

[@ode2george]

Respect! I will appreciate this song even more now! Thank you for sharing your personal experience.

[@glorioskiola]

Thanks for sharing that!

[@TheNinnyfee]

I cannot imagine what you guys went through at that moment, but I get how that heartfelt music hit you and also helped you. Thank you for sharing.

[@depatterson7357]

Thank you for sharing. Thank you for your service.

[@Find-Your-Bliss-]

Just when you needed it Music comes in

[@mosin9105]

One thing I don’t think you mentioned, that certainly helps make this song great, is THE LYRICS!!!

[@amherst88]

I was thinking the same -- it's like the elephant in the room -- a lot of the songs he covers have lyrics you can take or leave but not this one . . .

[@pavel-gubanov]

The music, the lyrics, the video -- everything is great with this song.

[@CupidStunt72]

' Out Of Time ' is a superb album. Genius. Brought it as n 18 year- old lad in 1991 & still love it now !!

[@undinism69]

Im another born in 73. We had great stuff growing up eh

[@distantgalaxymusic1447]

Roy Walker amen!

[@CupidStunt72]

@@undinism69 yes, i feel we were privileged to have been around such famtastic bands in the 90's in our youth !!

[@gerhardvaneeden5615]

Born in '71, got this album in my early twenties, and also still love it!

[@CupidStunt72]

@@gerhardvaneeden5615 Good man !! Had a listen to it yesterday & it is truly awesome. The melodies are Beatle-esque

[@fashionx88]

It's just brilliant. There's so much to talk about for this deceptively simple song. My favorite moment is the harmonies between Stipe and Mills on "I think I though I saw you try". Mills' high harmony is so chilling and then he drops out on "try" leaving just Stipe. It's magical.

[@EckhardRotte]

Most significant detail about this song: watching you smile while playing it

[@danielpalmer6266]

Beato is the italian for "happy" ;-)

[@Kaderlid13]

👍🏼🥰🥰🥰 Love Rick’s enthusiasm!!

[@brycelund7155]

That bassline is a masterpiece.

[@martrich1098]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. As a 21 yr old in 1991 this song has been a huge part of my life. Michaels voice is absolutely unique, seems to have a natural tremolo. Together with Bono (another unique voice) rock vocals were in a great place in the early 90's.

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

This, and so many of their 'melancholy' songs have that feel like they are just a breath away from up beat. Always on the precipice of joy...

[@RC32Smiths01]

REM is top 3 of my favorite 90s bands! They have many notable tracks, my favorite in Losing My Religion! Awesome to see them here!

[@SteelMoments]

It's hard to call them a 90's band--they started in 1981 and continued through 2011.

[@th3giv3r]

Please stop with the exclamation points.

[@RC32Smiths01]

@@SteelMoments I personally think their 90s era is their prime, but that's just me.

[@RC32Smiths01]

@@th3giv3r :^{

[@SteelMoments]

@@RC32Smiths01 Their break-out album and two of their top-three biggest hits (Stand, The One I Love) were released in 1988 (1987, in the case of the single release of The One I Love). ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@hyperboogie]

Peter Buck is one amazing and sadly underrated musician. His genius is in his deceptively simple yet beautiful and memorable parts. He should really get more love and respect from the guitar community.

[@dennischary1197]

Absolutely.The ability to unleash and immerse oneself in complicated and contradictory emotions is more important to me than technical virtuosity.Peter buck does that so much more superbly than many other more technically accomplished guitarists.

[@Etatdesiege1979]

Absolutely. One of my favorite songs of all time is Man on The Moon and the bass line and the chord progression of that song are unique. But Buck’s guitar playing in it is almost like a guitarist playing in a string quartet.

[@OslerWannabe]

I think "Monster" did that for him. A real guitar tour de force.

[@jimmylacey5073]

Sadly? Peter Buck’s goal was to be to be underrated!

[@flux1968]

My favorite stuff from him is in the early years when he was playing some beautiful jangly guitar parts. It sucks that, because they got popular in the 90s, people ignore the 80s output, which is what made them the flagship band of the American indie scene.

[@tommonk7651]

I was lucky enough to be in school in Athens as REM was starting out. I had their original 5 song EP. They played all over the place in Athens. I can't even count how many times I saw them. "Losing My Religion" is not even close to my favorite REM song. They have so many great songs and albums. Great band! Stipe's original theory on vocals were that his voice was just another instrument in the band, so the early lyrics were largely nonsensical. As they got bigger, they couldn't easily play in Athens, so they would play under fake band names. If you saw an ad for the craziest named band, that was probably REM. They once played under "Giant Gnats Attack Victor Mature". LOL

[@johnehaase7530]

So envious you got to see them ao many times!! Good taste in music.

[@slypperyfox]

Well done. I was born in Athens and grad UGA '82. Got several bands out of Athens in the '70s and '80s: Normaltown Flyers, B-52s, REM, etc. The small clubs and dives in Normaltown (on the western side of the city limits) was turning out bands.

[@frankmarsh1159]

@@slypperyfox First time I saw them was in May 1980 at Tyrone's OC when they opened for the Brains. According to the R.E.M. timeline that was their first paying gig.

[@slypperyfox]

As an aside, our youngest son grad UGA in '17. During the end of his Jr year and into his Senior year he worked as a DJ at the UGA radio station. They were not allowed to play any popular music by known bands. It all had to be demo material sent out by the bands themselves or producers testing the waters of new music. Can't imagine how many bands went through the testing grounds of college radio stations during their early days.

[@Redshoes51]

We lived in Athens at this time… the B-52s were hot… but everyone was talking about the ‘new band’ at the ‘40 Watt Club’…. I bought used vinyl LPs at Wuxtry’s… where Mike Mills and Peter Buck often clerked…

[@Fatherjohn76]

Never noticed how much super long reverb was on Stipe's losing my religion vocal until I heard it isolated. Also your comments at 09:08 about Bill Berry's integral role in the band are spot on

[@edalder2000]

I was in the last half of my senior year of High School when this song was released. It was huge. "Losing My Religion" as a phrase is very Southern. All your beliefs set out in front of the world. It's all laid bare. BTW-"Automatic For The People" is one of my favorite albums of all time.

[@deadsirius3531]

Agreed on "Automatic". Pretty flawless album and "Nightswimming" in particular makes me emotional to this day. Never heard anything better capture the bittersweetness of lost youth

[@oldman0995]

Losing my religion means some one is getting really pissed off to the point the might do something against hell beliefs

[@edalder2000]

@@deadsirius3531 "Find The River" all day long. Once in a while, I listen to "Automatic" and it's like talking to an old friend.

[@toddkokko5049]

edalder2000 agree on automatic for the people. “Drive” spoke to me during a dark time in my life.

[@ianmason2003]

Same here.

[@81millionvotes]

Rick has that kind of talent that almost doesn't seem possible in one human..and seems genuinely happy to be doing this..learning so much,thank you!

[@TheRuinedPariah]

After watching this, I went and listened to this song and found out Mike Mills used John McVie as an inspiration for the bass line to this song and you can really hear it!

[@cletusbeauregard1972]

Mike was a walking library of classic rock bass styles.

[@noisepuppet]

And common practice period harmony.

[@davidpollak685]

This talk of bass Dissonance gives me the chills, what a breakdown

[@konstantinkvashuk9024]

It is one of my favorite songs. Thank you, Rick Beato

[@RB747domme]

I was going to do a huge remix of this particular track, and had a 'green mint' (agreement with funding) from the band label in order to do so. Michael Stipe really liked the idea of having a wall of acoustic guitars and left and right played with 12 acoustic musicians at the same time, and then at the last Bridge to chorus it was going to go just large strings by a huge string section (London chamber orchestra), choral choir BVs, harmony vocals, before bringing the guitars back in and the bass guitar one bar later. In the end sadly, the funding wasn't there from the record label and so unfortunately the session didn't go ahead. It was to be played at Abbey Road with Alan Parsons at the controls, and co-producing. I was gutted, because I was to be second engineer and producer. Even now when I hear Rick break it down with the strings on their own I can hear it in my head, and I can hear the wall of acoustic guitars panned left and right. Oh well, that's life.

[@brion_aiota]

Damn that would've been really cool to hear

[@kuma1388]

Damn, I never noticed the strings during the second verse. Now I can never I unhear them.

[@mayhapsvenotcaleb4576]

That's part of what I like about this series though. He points out a lot of stuff in songs that I hadn't noticed before and now appreciate when I hear it

[@jamesallen5591]

Same here. I can't believe I never heard the strings.

[@bgilmore0784]

They sounded like synth strings to me, and Mills is credited with playing keyboards on the song. While it wouldn't surprise me to not see credit given to the string players, I really think that this is a synth.

[@WarEagleTimeMachine]

I think it is synth as well, however, if you look for live performances of this song by the band you will find some with a backing string section.

[@louisee6939]

This is called "beato effect" hahah

[@Alan-in-Bama]

Myself and friends created our own lyrics for this REM song ...... "That's me in the Yugo, Losing my Transmission" :D

[@manicdataminer]

I drove a Yugo, and those lyrics hit deep :-)

[@roxythefoxsayfurismurderan3187]

For a Thanksgiving program at our language school, a few American students rewrote the words with the chorus, “that’s me on the toilet, losing my thanksgiving...”. The most hilarious thing about it was a very religious seminary.

[@andiparker3733]

🤣🤣🤣

[@michaeldefrancisco7442]

'èè

[@shaynegray9099]

I often sang: That me at the coroner’s, that me on the slab, dead, lost my circulation.

[@davidpaul7642]

RB does REM. Oh yeah!! That has made my day!!

[@Gehenna515]

The twist in the lyrics is so powerful! Throughout the song there are lines like "I think that I saw you try" but then towards the end he reveals "but that was just a dream" :(

[@bensepulveda71]

Rick, great video as always. Yesterday “Cult of Personality” by Living Colour came on my local rock station and I thought to myself “how come this song hasn’t been featured by Mr. Beato?” That song could be in one of the What Makes this Song Great, as well as Top 20 Guitar Intros/Sounds, etc. It’s an iconic song by a great and greatly underrated band.

[@KHLthe2nd]

I second that!!!

[@hanreality.7266]

Third!

[@HFG207]

YESSS!! I’ve been listening to that song a lot lately and thought the same!!

[@axlrio]

bensepulveda71 agreed!

[@nomadcurator]

I would love to hear a feature on Living Color. One of the best albums from start to finish.

[@jen7ellez]

My dad who was maybe 70 yrs old at the time and I bought him an ipod and he said add this song. I'm like how do you know REM?!? It will remind me of him forever. What I love about this is how the overall tone is sad but with the hints of happier chords and lyrics it adds that sense of hope but the ending scale's last note you know it doesn't end happy. It's beautiful

[@claygilchrist632]

I started listening to REM back in the 80s and even played one of their songs at my wedding reception years ago. Had recently begun listening to them again and enjoying their music more than ever. I even met Michael Stipe at the Atlanta airport a year ago. Great guy and very friendly!

[@TyRobertsmedia]

I've met them all at different times... Being a fan since Fall 1982. They are each very cool and don't project any "rock-star" vibes.

[@RahimRahmat]

Please, PLEASE don't tell me that the song at your wedding was "The One I love" ...... That would be disasterous!

[@g00se99]

The lyrics. This song is also great because you can make out every word and sing along in the car. Just full of interesting lyrics with real heart. One of my all time favorite songs to sing along with.

[@moochercat]

Heard this song recently on the radio and it made realize how much I miss REM. They remind me so much of the time this came out (early 90's). It was a much simpler time with no cell phones, no internet or social media. I feel sorry for young people today who'll never know what life was like before all of today's distractions.

[@jamesmacdonaldjr.3594]

I have always said they are the strangest band to ever achieve superstardom. Love it!

[@jussitikkuri6991]

I agree. Stipe has twitchy movements that do not go with his vocals. I could go on about the rest of the band. The video is so artistically arranged It's as good as the song if not better. Maybe.

[@captmcneil]

Always loved this song. Whenever I hear it I want to buy a mandolin... I find it funny how in this grunge/indie/alt context this song sounds so balanced and well produced with such a rich and layered sound - and yet it's minimalistic and natural in a way; some instruments, like the drums, barely doing anything. It's as if by 'less is more' everything in this song breathes. You realize this when you hear an acoustic version, and every essential part is still there.

[@powbobs]

captmcneil Mandolin is a great second instrument for a guitarist.

[@Happyheretic2308]

It's not surprising!

[@brentcrude8565]

Hands down one of the greatest songs of all time. This is the kind of rare classic that you have to listen to in its entirety wherever it comes up (and maybe even sing along too).

[@peanutismint]

Oh man what a great song, made even greater when you break it down track by track. So glad I got to see them live just before they broke up! Cheers Rick.

[@fuzzytabby4304]

Cheers Mr. Turner. It's good to see you appreciate good music as well as all the good places I see you on KZbin.

[@joshuawilliam7010]

I'd love to see another REM video. But a huge shoutout to Mike Mills backing vocals, they add so much to REM songs, he's got such a distinct voice

[@Compassiron1]

“The saddest note” 😄👏🏻...too Tap but also true

[@tonyz7189]

I bought a bootleg cassette of this record when I was in Italy in 1991. This song is timeless and I’ll never forget my time there because I played this This music over And over. A great impact on my life. That’s what music is all about!!

[@mandopops2811]

I’m a Mandolin player. This is the only REM song I ever paid attention to. It’s great to see Beato playing a Mandolin. It brings out the Italian in him. Fun episode. Joe B

[@FlowtnWitWalden]

I picked up a mandolin because the fingering/tuning is the same as violin, which I had ideas about playing after restoring one of my grandfathers' players. But what I really want to learn is The cavaquinho, featured in so much of the Brasilian music I love!

[@safenders]

@@johnlaodicean7862 lol impossible

[@n0n1337h41]

safenders - LOL! I don’t even play anything stringed, but Thile intimidates me. It’s because I’m not used to hearing performers who are *that* technically adept (essentially one of the best mandolinists who has ever lived) who haven’t gotten lost in the technique & theory. Thile is still able to compose pieces that are still drenched with so much relatable emotion that even a casual music listener has no problems feeling what is being played. It’s so rare to have top-tier technical/theory complexity written and performed with the emotional “listenability” as a 3 chord Bob Marley song.

[@distantgalaxymusic1447]

There’s also mandolin on Everything from Green.

[@mattgilbert7347]

There's Mandolin on "Green"

[@wolfetom10]

Picked up on REM in the early 80's in college. Loved the first album Murmur, and the earlier EP (can't recall the name of the EP but it featured Gardening at Night). Right up through most of the 80's. REM was something I owned -- a cult band and I was part of the cult. I was torn when they finally hit it big -- it was so cool to see my private thing embraced by a wider world, but I also felt like I lost something at the same time. I guess that's not so unusual or profound. Any sense of loss was outshadowed by the awesomeness of the music.

[@jpsullivan4845]

@@spacemissing 4 songs. One of the best EP's ever!

[@BobSaint]

I'm old. That's all that comes to my mind when thinking about it's been 28 years since this came out.

[@alexandert696]

Yeah.. 1st time I got my hands on that album I was 13...

[@goobfilmcast4239]

You're Lucky.....NOT OLD.....I am in my late 50s and I am fortunate to have a "broader sweep" of popular musical exposure than many of my family and younger friends (I was a teacher). I can go back and forth across a larger expanse of genres and with Spotify, Tidal etc, I have the means to do so...easily !!!..........more fun than ever!

[@TokyoBlue587]

This song takes me back to my first year at university

[@BubblegumLightsaber]

I saw the video for this song for the first time in the early '90s, when I was twelve or thirteen years old, and I've been an R.E.M. fan ever since. This still remains one of my most favorite songs of all time.

[@giddyaunt9953]

One of my favourite bands of all time, and I have to say a spot-on analysis. Lovely to be able to hear the strings and Michaels voice soloed. One slight disagreement the earlier album Lifes Rich Pageant is where Michaels vocals changed from the slightly mumbled first 2 albums and suddenly sounded even more astonishing. Still the best REM album IMHO. Thanks for featuring this song

[@giddyaunt9953]

@Rumy 73 Probably true - and sad to say I agree with Rick that they were never the same after Bill left - but Pageant is sooooo good

[@jasonsweet8671]

Giddy Aunt Life's Rich Pageant is their best.

[@jaybee9269]

“Life’s Rich Pageant” is a great record! My favorite R.E.M. album. I always thought it was under appreciated.

[@jaybee9269]

Giddy Aunt >> Yeah, Bill’s departure killed REM. It’s like with Bonham dying except Bill just fucked off to be a farmer or something...

[@eboethrasher]

@@jaybee9269 having a brain aneurysm on stage probably will do that to you, make you re-evaluate your priorities. I hold no ill will against him leaving but it's true that he brought so much to the sound.

[@themossypottery]

Rick...my musical envy of you increases every time I see you play another instrument so effortlessly...now it's the mandolin...love your work.

[@dockerdave]

This song is so ubiquitous now that it's easy to forget just how different it was at the time and what a risk it was for the band to release it as a lead single. I was a casual REM fan leading up to the release of Out Of Time and still remember buying it when it was released and listening to it for the first time. What a fantastic album it is!

[@stuartclayton1856]

Absolutely a pleasure to listen to Rick with such insight simply a joy to have him on you tube the best thing since sliced bread...

[@johnjanoski3988]

The intricacies of simplicity and the eloquence found in it. A greatly appreciated look into a great song.

[@Germs19]

This is probably my favorite musical series on KZbin. It's so enlightening and inspiring to see Rick reacting so naturally to these songs as he explains the musical components. Your passion is absolutely palpable, Rick, and I can't thank you enough for putting these videos out so frequently!

[@Princedancaster]

Hi Rick!!, What brand Is your mandolin ?

[@parttroll1]

REM have a great back catalogue some gems to discover on their early albums

[@WickedRabbitGames]

Can I make a living just playing R.E.M. basslines? Mike Mills is utterly amazing.

[@slamegarobinson]

please do. we need more Mills' bassline on the internet.

[@sonicfrogdotnet]

I love his playing. Signed: A bass player.

[@sideshowlol]

Fabulous, Rick! “She Sells Sanctuary” by The Cult would be a great addition to this series.

[@Happyheretic2308]

@Philip Quinn and mine.

[@taragreenetarotastro]

love that song

[@dcfromthev]

Firewoman!

[@HamishGarland]

I don't think Rick has listened to any English bands from the 80s.

[@sideshowlol]

@@HamishGarland It’s possible that he hasn’t met many English band members but he’s certainly talked about the likes of the more universally well-known ones such as The Police, Genesis and Yes quite a bit. Haven’t heard him mention bands such as XTC though and I don’t recall him mentioning Queen at all, but perhaps I missed it?

[@iknowme]

One of those songs people say they can't enjoy because it's overplayed. I could listen to it every day and never get sick of it. It's a perfect song.

[@TyRobertsmedia]

REM from Athens, GA!!!! Still have my original Hib-tone Single of "Radio Free Europe"

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

Singles, right? I remember them! I envy you for the Hib-tone of Radio Free Europe. Wow!

[@distantgalaxymusic1447]

Ty Roberts WOW!

[@gpurkeljc]

Rick, you are a major asset to the music industry. Thank you for sharing your passion for these songs and helping us to truly understand what makes these songs great.

[@joekoenig]

I feel this already-amazing song would take on a whole new dimension if it were released with vocals, strings, and mandolin only. When Rick played back the vocals and strings only, I got chills. Michael Stipe's vocals are a gift.

[@robertlottmann]

Nice breakdown. Always love these details explained on populair songs.

[@garysmith3097]

Thanks for mentioning how much of a melodic player Mike Mills was. If you listen to REM's early stuff, his bass playing is the melody, or at least a counter-melody. Very talented, and played with a pick too. Also, his harmony vocals really made their songs stand out. One of my favorite musicians. Thanks Rick :)

[@gerbs139]

Gary Smith Great take - my model for this is Can’t Get There From Here.

[@urbangorilla33]

I would also add that the song had one of the most gorgeous videos ever shot. A work of art on its own and beautifully set to the music.

[@seanwinkel8890]

This song came out the week I was going through the most painful relationship breakup in my life. It was the literal soundtrack to that whole horrid experience.

[@timsullivan4566]

The instant I read "R.E.M.", an image popped into my head - Rick on a stool with a mandolin! YES!

[@RT060789]

Finally some REM!!! I was betting you would do Driver 8 or the one I love. Still very happy. Thanks Rick.

[@CathyKeating]

Me too. Those were my guesses. I was surprised he went so much later, but now I'm so glad he did.

[@ShiningHourPop]

Fall On Me, So. Central Rain, Perfect Circle would have been great too

[@RT060789]

@@ShiningHourPop If you want to go way back how about wolves lower? Great guitar work by Buck on that one. Another forgotten album is Dead letter office which is a bit weird but has a bunch of gems.

[@AndrewSowerby]

@@ShiningHourPop I would love to get Rick's full breakdown of Perfect Circle. There's still something in that track that I don't quite understand, something that goes much deeper than the bare chords and melody. Plus, it's magic, from start to finish.

[@ShiningHourPop]

RT060789 Yeah Wolves, Lower’s guitars are so intricate and for me, so much more interesting than 90 million note a second shredding!

[@JoseGutierrez-mj4mx]

The greatest song about unrequited love ever written. Got me through some less emotional mature moments in my life hah. I literally smiled when I saw R.E.M in the title and thought, "it better be...." and it was! Break down It's The End Of The World next ~

[@toddhowe427]

Love this band and this record! I dare anyone to try to sing “Shiny Happy People” without smiling...

[@SamyaprasaDasa]

I love how the bridge in this song serves as a respite from the powerful emotional punch that the verses and chorus are bringing. In some (rock/pop, etc) songs the bridge is where the band brings in new chords, new harmonies and/or new rhythmical ideas, but for me this bridge has an opposite purpose to that. It's a chance for the listener to catch their breath, so to speak. Michael Stipe's vocals and the bands driving play throughout is asking a lot of the listener and you know they're going to finish strong too, so that bridge is like a pause and a big inhale before going for it one last time. Brilliant song!

[@liquidsolids9415]

Very cool hearing the isolated string parts, and the melody-writing lesson is incredibly helpful. I really enjoy it when you talk about how to use different notes to evoke certain feelings or emotions. Thanks for another great video!

[@denizozcelik2766]

Oh I'm in love with this bass walk. Just makes it 10x better 12:36

[@tomholton235]

Love these videos Rick. Really reminds me of my old music tech teacher, spent a lot of the lessons just teaching us to listen while we sat and tried to work out what they were doing in terms of arrangement and production on some great tracks... so valuable in understanding music and how to produce it much more than just learning the mechanics of engineering.

[@burado1974]

I graduated from high school in in 91 and I have always felt it was one of those magical years in music. So many diverse releases that year and all great.

[@darkpitcher5242]

One of my all-time favourite bands and one of their best song of which there are many. As always your take in the song casts it in a different light and I can listen to it with new ears. Thanks, Rick You really are a KZbin diamond. Not to detract from this excellent episode I do remember seeing R.E.M. on the BBC in 1984 so well before Out of Time came out. Perhaps they were a little less local then you think

[@Keith-eo5fs]

This is probably my favorite song of all time, and I’ve been listening to it since 1997, and I learned a lot from this. Great video. I love Mike Mills bass line and Stipe’s agitated vocals.

[@willemh.deboer6031]

I love how your channel has covered everything from Giant Steps, to Holdsworth, to Losing My Religion.

[@patriciofernandez2711]

I love the snare sound in this song so much. So rich and full and gated, really drives the song forward

[@BD-xn2dp]

End of the World & What’s the Frequency Kenneth are my faves. But this one is good as well. Great job Rick!

[@IThinkYouLookLarvely]

I like how "End Of The World" later just became a "Bad Day"!

[@BWCharting]

@@IThinkYouLookLarvely I like how the original "Bad Day" demo became "End Of The Word"!

[@raisa_cherry35]

Flawless playing of the mandolin 😍😍😍👏 my favourite song of all time!

[@natfoote4967]

I feel like we get a foreshadowing of this greatness in their early song “Driver 8.”

[@tommegan6500]

I loved "Driver 8" -- that song was like nothing I'd ever heard before. It certainly set the stage for a brilliant career by REM.

[@johnwanderin3872]

REM is one of my favorite bands. My earliest music memories are actually REM because I was 3 when Out of Time came out and Automatic for the People came out when I was 4, both of which got a lot of play time in my house. My dad (whose initials happened to be REM) actually bought my own cassette version of Automatic because I was always singing Man on the Moon.

[@georgeleinberger8670]

Great tune. I’ve always been a “Fables of the Reconstruction” guy but this works too.

[@zenoelea8239]

When I listen to just the strings and Michael singing I am overcome with emotion and tears. Pure genius ❤️