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He used to dance like this whenever he sang. He really got into it and didnt care what he looked like

"Losing My Religion" is a Southern expression for having had enough, being at the end of your rope, so to speak. Michael Stipe said it's about unrequited love.

This song makes you want to listen to it over and over.

This amazing musical masterpiece, entered my soul the second I heard it in 1991. It sits there happily, and joyfully to this day. April 2024

The mandolin work on this track is insanely good.

R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe wrote the lyrics, which he has said are about "obsession" and "unrequited love," which is powerful and dangerous combination. Throughout the song, he is baring his soul, searching for hidden meaning and hopeful signs, but driving himself mad in the process. "I love the idea of writing a song about unrequited love," he told Top 2000 a gogo. "About holding back, reaching forward, and then pulling back again. The thing for me that is most thrilling is you don't know if the person I'm reaching out for is aware of me. If they even know I exist. It's this really tearful, heartfelt thing that found its way into one of the best pieces of music the band ever gave me."

Homie was gay, which I didn't know or understand as a kid, but going back and listening to the song and reading those lyrics with this knowledge in mind, imagining the struggle of wanting to tell another person you're into them, but the fear of that person not reciprocating, looking for clues in every little interaction and wondering if they feel the same and whether or not you should make a move... We can all relate to that. But then the added layer of worrying about being outed and embarrassed, especially in a time when homosexuality wasn't as readily accepted as it is today. Really tugs at the ol' heart strings.

"Everybody hurts" is also a good one. I am a black Woman. I've loved R.E.M since the beginning. The one that you just heard was definitely a classic as well.

5:30 my guy, that dance is iconic. the movements of a desperate and stressed person who doesn't care about rhythm, they just need to move or they'll end themselves. its not supposed to be nice and flashy

'Losing my religion' is an age-old southern expression that means "losing your patience with something.:

The ‘consider this’ line is him talking to great philosophers. From what I read on this song back then and now is it is an internal dialogue. All of this is in his head - ‘just a dream’ of him saying what he really wants to say to someone and those philosophers represent his internal logic/doubt - and they/himself are laughing at his attempts to articulate logically to someone how he feels. He is also wrestling with his good and bad portions and losing because in the end he knows he will keep it all bottled up inside and he is in anguish. It’s a song about wanting to release your feelings but being insecure and failing yourself.

The phrase "lost my religion" is an expression from the southern region of the United States that means "losing one's temper or civility" or "feeling frustrated and desperate." "I tweaked it slightly for the title," explained Stipe, who told The New York Times the song was about romantic expression.

Everyone is going on about Everybody Hurts, which is a fantastic song, not denying that. But everyone seems to kind of forget their song Man on the Moon. Which was an amazing tribute to Andy Kaufman (and an amazing song. One of my favorites from R.E.M.)

I have always loved Michael Stipes voice. Amazing distinct and powerful

I think his dancing fit the mood of the song but dancing is fun no matter how a person does it.

One of my favorite songs ever. I know that this song wasn’t written about religion but I came out just as I was breaking out of deep religious indoctrination. “Oh no, I said too much. I haven’t said enough” described perfectly my insecurities over telling my parents/friends about how I no longer believed what they did. It’s amazing how music can heal and how it can mean whatever we need it to.

R.E.M. has so much great music. They were geniuses. Per singer Michael Stipe "The phrase "lost my religion" is an expression from the southern region of the United States that means "losing one's temper or civility" or "feeling frustrated and desperate." "I tweaked it slightly for the title," explained Stipe, who told The New York Times the song was about romantic expression."

he dances to the music in his soul. the music decides.

One of the greatest voices of my generation! ❤️

"Everybody Hurts" "The One I Love" "Shiny Happy People" "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" can't go wrong with any of these songs.

the entire album " automatic for the people " is incredible . possibly one of the best albums of that decade ....

R.E.M were my favourite group in the nineties. Never get tired of listening to them. Try 'Everyone Hurts' amazing song amazing video!!

This song was the song that made REM blow up. It was the song of the year when it came out. It was EVERYWHERE. There's two ways to go from here, you can go to earlier stuff from when they were mostly a quirky college radio band like "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" or you can do to later hits like "Everybody Hurts".

This song was a smash when it came out. Everybody hurts - is one their other big hits

It doesn't sound corny, desperation and pain is exactly what he's channeling.

I rarely comment on here, but I have to ... REM is amazing! This song holds deep meaning to myself and a departed friend, so thank you for the flash back of memories

One of my faves. I also recommend "I am Superman" (1986) and "It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine" (1987) as earlier R.E.M. songs

I love the dancing it’s fabulous

Thank you guys for watching please be sure to like the video on your way out if you wanna see more R.E.M. on my channel🙏

"Everybody hurts" has to be next.

One of the few times I really loved the use of a mandolin in rock music! And the musician is great on it!

I have loved this song forever 💕❤!! If you look into it, you will see it means losing your temper and a regrettable time. Powerful lyrics 😍. It speaks to me, every time I hear it ❣️. Thank you for your precious reaction ❤❤

I’ve always loved his dancing in this video.

Polo your voice is warm kind tender your family must be proud off you keep trucking Christine from Windsor uk xxx

That song is the bomb. Love the mandolin. This is my favorite. Also "The End of the World as we Know It" is worth a listen. So glad you like my generation's music.❤❤✌🌻🌻

One of my fave songs of all time

The song basically expresses someone who is suffering because because they love someone and it is not reciprocated. The video is more complex, with flashes of western civilization replacing faith with doubt and eventually science and industry.

-"Everybody hurts". Have really come to enjoy listening to music with you. Keep up the great work.

You Are The Everything is one of my faves. ✌️

Nightswimming is a beautiful one of theirs 😊

A favourite of mine. Spine shiver from the opening.

The video concept is just Art.

Its a masterpiece.

Welcome to the world of REM, welcome.

It's a southern expression for being at the end of your rope. Everybody Hurts is an amazing song too.

Masterpiece!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I relate to this. He's feeling losing his pure connection to the spirit of God and embracing the pain. He's not sure He's made the same way and can endure it the same way the rest of people can due to how he was raised.

Another masterpiece from R.E.M. is Find The River” what a song pure perfection my favourite song of all time such wonderful music and pure poetry in the lyrics.

My favourites by REM are "Man on the Moon" & "What's the Frequency Kenneth".

Losing My Religion is one of my all time favorite songs. I've heard it well over a hundred times. So glad you are enjoying it too. Back in 1994, my husband was in the Army and went to Airborne School. While waiting to exit the aircraft, R.E.M's Man on the Moon was playing in the plane. He was singing it while doing his first Airborne jump.

I read something a few years back where he said this song wasent really about anything specific but I did watch a reaction once where the reactor pointed out that in the video they recreated scenes from different pieces of art. Also "Everybody Hurts" is a beautiful song by them and youll want to do the video. Its powerful!

R.E.M. has several great songs. I especially like Fall On Me, Superman, Orange Crush and Driver 8. I would like to see you discover more R.E.M. songs.

Stipe ( Lead Singer) told The New York Times the song was about romantic expression. He told Q that "Losing My Religion" is about "someone who pines for someone else. It's unrequited love, what have you.". Stipe compared the song's theme to "Every Breath You Take" by The Police, saying, "It's just a classic obsession pop song.

Good music and lyrics have individual meaning to every person who listens. That's what good music is.

Great song, great band, great reaction!

I love this song

It means what it means to whoever wrote it. It means what it means to you. 💚🕊🙏🏻

Dope reaction my dude crazy how much good music we overlook growing up

Automatic for the people was an excellent album really a standout of the 90s Starts off with radio song and carries all the way through with bangers the whole way

If I'm not mistaken, this was lead singer Michael Stipe's public admission that he was gay, which is why it's so heartfelt and personal. As far as other R.E.M. songs are concerned, "It's the End of the World As We Know it" has to be at the top of the list. Good luck figuring out the lyrics just by listening

The phrase "losing my religion" is an expression from the southern region of the United States that means "losing one's temper or civility" or "feeling frustrated and desperate." Stipe told The New York Times the song was about romantic expression.

A similar song by them is "This One Goes Out to the one I Love" but I really like "What's the Frequency Kenneth?"

The agony of his internal dialogue of ‘unrequited love’ - it’s tragic 😢 I suppose you could think of the video as he feels a fallen angel - he was gay at a time when it was not okay. Very artsy and clever - it’s interpretation 👏

"Dissapear" from them is my fav

I can see a lot of people have said this already, but "Everybody Hurts" is a very powerful song. I just watched their official music video as a reminder before I wrote this and it had me in tears, so I would love to see your reaction to it. Otherwise, my personal favourite is "It's the end of the world as we know it".

ALWAYS LOOK THE VIDEO> THE WHOLE MEANING IS THERE! ALWAYS LISTEN TO THE LYRICS...they are metaphors1

So when my father passed there was two songs I chose for his funeral. First, REM everybody hurts. Which actually made the gentleman conducting the ceremony cry. He told me after it moved him so much. So definitely that track. On top of that, the other track was in the air tonight. Which you love 😎 so let’s get it homie

It's his emotional voice gives you chills

I grew up homeless in Seattle in the late 70’s-early 80’s. Fast forward to high school in a tiny rural town in Wisconsin when this song came out. It made me cry because it encapsulated the existential crisis of my sense of self in those two worlds. It was personal yet ubiquitous. And that was the same sense of shock I had first hearing it. What the hell! It’s been many years since, and it still punches me in the throat. Sincerely appreciate the genuine reaction buddy.

It's a coming out song, and probably the best one ever.

Yep, this was one of those classics from the 90's. Ive loved this song for years. Im glad you said that about it being difficult to understand the lyrics and videos. I felt the same for years, but its just one if those songs also. That transcends language. I went and lived in Spain for years. I was working with Italians. And One was always asking me to more or less translate this song😮. My Italian was terrible at the time, and i hadnt learned enough Spanish. Im half Ital half English. I basically told her that we arent really sure what hes talking about in his songs. But we love it. Great music etc etc .Very abstract and poetic. Thanks for your reactions mate 😁😎👌

Most important band of the 90s

Shiny Happy People is one of my favorite songs by R.E.M and while everybody hurts is absolutely amazing, this song just makes you feel good..while still delivering a meaningful message

My favorite song when I was a little kid. Always got excited when it would play on the radio in the car

R.E.M. was big back in MTV days, they had a handful or so of classic hits. People today still listen to them today, esp when they randomly come on the radio. Brings back memories.

It’s funny you mention you want to hear on repeat. I remember having this cassette single and would do just that.

Loved this from the start. Yes It's the 90's. I have the CD. ❤ Great reaction.

Just saw your video on one of my favorite songs. This is about unrequited love. "Losing my religion" is a Southern U.S. expression for the feelings of frustration and desperation, being done with something.

I played this song so much. Also one of my favs

Michael Stipe, thats why you feel that power - Michael Stipe!

I love that you admit not understanding this song. I am 57 years old and heard this song a million times on the radio and never had a clue what it was about! And the video makes even less sense. Finally learning “losing my religion” is a southern phrase with a different meaning helps understand the song a lot more! How did I live through the nineties not knowing that! Lol😂

REM was one of my 2 favorite bands growing up. (They Might Be Giants was the other, and I absolutely recommend checking them out too--unlike REM they've continued making music and so there's an incredibly deep back catalog and so much of it is fantastic...) Other REM songs I've seen folks here recommend that I 2nd are It's the End of the World As We Know It, Everybody Hurts, Man on the Moon, Fall on Me, Night Swimming. A couple of others I haven't heard recommended: Stand (I love this song, probably more than it deserves, but I do so love it), Orange Crush, Radio Free Europe, The One I Love. Special mention for Shiny Happy People, maybe the most ironic song ever created--it was basically meant as a screw you to the record label folks for asking for an "upbeat pop song we can make into a hit", so they made the most over the top, stupid, absurdly upbeat pop song they could come up with...and because REM is just that good, it worked anyway. Just about anything from Automatic for the People or Out of Time is probably going to be great. Both are fantastic albums. I saw someone else mention Depeche Mode, and I'll add my vote for checking them out, too.

Certain events in one's life stand out and cannot be forgotten. The first memorable moment of this kind was me and my grandpa sitting in the yard together, each with a shovel in hand, waiting for "the" mole to poke his head to the surface. Talk about whack a mole. Wow, why did this song bring that memory back to the forefront of my mind?

This is one of my FAVORITE songs and videos!!! Glad you did this one!

You are right in describing his voice.

Saw these boys from Athens Georgia in '82 @ Octoberfest Milwaukee. I was in college and they stuck with me ever since.

That "dance" was actually him flailing around as was said in the lyrics.

That song still gives me chills I remember it came out in 1991 I was a teenager still sounds fresh….

A lot of the imagery came from the short story "A very old man with enormous wings" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a popular example of the magical realism movement in Latin American literature.

"It's The End of The World as We Know It" is a great R.E.M. track. "Drive" and "Stand" are two of my personal favorites from them.

So love REM meaning rapid eye movement (when you dream your eyes move) what a great name for a group

It’s an expression in the southern USA, meaning losing one’s temper or composure.

Desperation in the voice you nailed it he hits the desperation we try to hide what leaves you speechless is the realness of it the dong can be interrupted to anyone after all perception is reality our worlds are different yet we all hide and survive the same love your videos this is the first I can comment on

I love bands like R.E.M. and Live for their unpredictable verses. They don’t always sing when you expect them to. Very well structured. 🤘🏻

Saw them twice and I can remember Orange 🍊 Crush once so happy days!🤪

love your channel, this song will be going around mynhead all day, hi from Great Britain

REM is great. This is my favorite song, but I also love 'The Great Beyond' and 'What's the Frequency Kenneth"

It's all good ❤ peace ✌️ Polo ❤

I think REM found a rare bridge between the north and the south. The brilliance of their music is a thing that can bring us all together. As for their catalog, I would point you to stand. And other tracks on out of time. As a kid from Brooklyn, I really appreciate your commentary.