Singer said is not about religion. In southern states losing my religion means losing temper or civility. He said it was about someone who pines for someone, unrequited love

“Losing my religion” is actually an old southern expression for being at the end of one’s rope, and the moment when politeness gives way to anger.

Where does almost thirty years go as this was released in 1991? Great song that never ages.

Michael Stipe said this about the song "When you have a crush on somebody, and you think that they understand that but you’re not sure, and you’re dropping all kinds of hints, and you think that they’re responding to these hints but you’re not sure; that’s what this song is about: thinking that you’ve gone too far, you’ve dropped a hint that is just the size of Idaho, and they responded in a way that maybe confused you, or they haven’t responded at all or they responded in a way that seemed like ‘well, maybe I’m gonna- maybe I’m- maybe something’s gonna happen here!’ and I think I’ve probably said this seven thousand times, but the phrase ‘losing my religion’ is a southern phrase which means that something has pushed you so far that you would lose your faith over it. Something has pushed you to the Nth degree, and that’s what this is about. Now, some people still think that it’s a song about religion; it’s not. It’s just a song about having a crush.”

REM are great. Try Everybody Hurts, Its the End of the World as we Know It and Man on the Moon

That mandolin makes that song so catchy. It's a great 90's song and band.

R.E.M. was one of the bands that was on every mixtape I made back in the day. So many amazing songs to choose "The One I Love", "Orange Crush", "Stand", "Gardening at Night" "Drive", "Everybody Hurts" "Superman"

This group is amazing. The lead singer's voice is very unique. The video is surely interesting. The first time I recommend a song is this 'Everybody hurts' I absolutely love that song

R.E.M. are a great Art band, there's loads of references to classical art & classical paintings in the video. There is Leonardo Da Vinci in the video trying to build a flying machine using bird wings. Super interesting band, always

Everybody hurts is a good one of theirs

R.E.M. has an album called Automatic For The People. Every song is good. I recommend Nightswimming and Find The River. They are 2 of my all time favorite songs.

"I think I thought I saw you...try..." Such a great lyric! I'd like you to listen to Orange Crush.

This is a deeper band their lyrics have always had a message. I love the mandolin.

I love Michael Stipe's voice.

This is one of my favourite bands. So many songs to choose from. Its The End Of the World As We Know It, Shiny Happy People and the ultimate favourite Everybody Hurts. I suffer from severe depression and anxiety and I always listen to that song when depression hits me hard to keep me going. Its saved me many times. I even have a couple of lines of it tattood on my arm as a constant reminder that I'm not not not alone. A genius band. 💜

"Losing my religion" is apparently a southern term, which means "Losing one's temper" and has nothing to do with religion. I also didn't know that until last week!

Love REM. Everybody and everything is hurting right now. Stay safe, Everyone. X

I was a huge fan of R.E.M. when I was in college in the 80's. This was a couple years after. Some others to try are Radio Free Europe, It's The End of the World, Begin the Begin, Cuyahoga, Orange Crush, Fall on Me ... I might be getting too obscure, but these were big ones for me. Haha Another band in this genre ... The B-52's. Both bands are from Athens, GA.

I’ve always thought of REM as an “Art Band”, musically and lyrically. I saw a few suggestions given to you and I concur. A good band to sink your musical teeth into

Not only one of my favourites by them. One of my all time favourites!!

I'm glad you're reacting to R.E.M.. They were great. A few more great songs of theirs to get you started (they have many) are "Radio Free Europe", "Fall on Me", "The One I Love", "It's the End of the World As We know It", and "Orange Crush".

Another great reaction to a great R.E.M. song. That key string instrument in the song is a mandolin.

Hi man! HUGE fan... love seeing your reactions!! It’s like watching a child open a wonderous new present. Your joy of discovery is palpable and I’m so happy for you at each happy new find!! Keep em coming!!!

They've got a lot of great music. I'm partial to some of their early stuff, like "Pretty Persuasion " and " Radio Free Europe"

Everybody Hurts one of R.E.M.’s best.

Trust me , Everybody Hurts will bring you to tears!

"Losing my religion" is a Southern saying (slang) for 'I'm losing my mind'. It means 'feeling frustrated', or ' being agitated'. I'm sure that others on here might be able to explain it better, since I'm not from the South.

Check out "Everybody Hurts", their live version. The one where his face is partially painted blue. A SONG THAT PERTAINS TO "EVERYONE"! Awesome song...

Love this song! I'm a music nut, and an amateur musician. R.E.M is my third favorite band behind Radiohead and Yes. They have many awesome songs and I would go back to the beginning and hit 'Radio Free Europe' next. One of the things I love about them is their albums are all solid - every song is really good. Their early work, the lyrics are almost unintelligible half the time and that was part of the 'mystery' and aura of the band. Plus they follow in the style of making the lyrics vague enough that they are open to the interpretation of the listener, sometimes to the point of it being hard to pin down the actual topic of the song. In that way, rock music is sort of the opposite of rap music, which is all about lyrics and beat. In rock music, the music usually comes first and often the sound of the vocal is as important, if not more so, as the lyrical content. Thanks so much! Be well, stay safe. Peace from SF P.S., try using 'instruments' instead of 'instrumentals'. Or just say 'the music' as opposed to the vocals. You usually use "instrumental" to describe a song with no vocals, just instruments. Also, the main instrument in this song is a mandolin. You can see the guitarist, Peter Buck, playing it early in the video, sitting down. It looks kind of like a fancy small guitar with eight strings, but it's just 4 notes with a pair of strings per note. It's pitched much higher than a guitar and that's where that nice jangly ringing sound is from.

Just wanted to add that the videos they used to make weren't usually about the song. The entire point was just to capture your attention. 😉

The imagery of the video is amazing. Knowing that his love is not returned. Going close to her is like Icarus and Daedalus flying too close to the sun. It burns the wax on his wings and he tumbles to the earth. To Reality. While everyone is laughing and whispering behind his back. One of the best videos. The song itself is so unique, brilliant lyrics and the soothing riff and the melody is superb! The band is from Athens, Ga. I was lucky to see Hootie perform this with Peter Buck playing the mandolin (he’s the guy in the video paying the mandolin)

Everybody Hurts; It’s the End of the World as We Know It; Orange Crush; What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?; Man on the Moon (referencing Andy Kaufman)

"Radio Free Europe" is a great REM song.

R.E.M. was a hit machine!! They must've had 15 hit songs in the 90's alone, not even counting the late 80's!!!

R.E.M. was the first or one of the first bands in the alternative genre. I love many of their songs. They put me in a relaxed zone.

This was a hit and all over the radio when I was in college

REM have a rabbit hole of sorts. You should find a number of worthwhile tracks with them. This one has always been a hypnotic favorite. It's a song about someone who has a thing for another person but it apparently is more of a fantasy - unrequited or a one way relationship. 'Losing my religion' is a sort of Southern phrase for basically losing control of oneself.

I think this song has some of the best lyrics ever. I still remember every single word over 20 years later.

Jayvee I love watching your reactions. I can see the second the song clicks with you, from the way your eyes move, or the change in direction of you body swaying and when your eyes light up, you know you have it! This is one of my favourite songs. TBH, you seem to review all my favourtite songs, but you are my favourite reviewer for the reactions as you can definataly see the appreciation sinking in. Keep on, I'm loving it!

Do 'Shiny Happy People' next. And 'It's The End Of The World As We Know It' and 'Tongue'.

It's funny to see the difference in the reactions to this song when the music video is shown as opposed to a lyric video. Those who see the lyric video generally get the overall gist of the song, while those who see the music video have quite a different interpretation. I'm guessing that was R.E.M's intent when they shot it.

Are you surprised by the amount of brilliant music we grew up with

Their greatest achievement, also try Man on the Moon The One I Love Stand What’s the Frequency Kenneth? Driver,8 So many great songs!

I love the song “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth”, but I couldn’t tell you what it’s about. I just like the sound. I know it had to do with reporter Dan Rather being attacked... but whatever it’s a cool song- whatever it means.

DRIVER 8, GARDENING AT NIGHT, FINEST WORKSONG, FALL ON ME, RADIO FREE EUROPE AND MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

REM is such an amazing band. A few of my personal REM favorites are "The Great Beyond," "Crush With Eyeliner," "Electrolite," and "At My Most Beautiful."

Everybody hurts Is another good song of there's wow. Great reaction Jay loving it. 😊😊💖💕💖

Try The Communards singing "Don't leave me this way"....amazing voices and beat!!

I've followed them since the 80s. Amazing artists.

Stand, Orange Crush, Everybody Hurts. All great R.E.M. songs!

From my home state Georgia. Live about 20 min from Athens. Great musicians. They are kinda indie style music. Another great band out of Athens is the B52s . Need to check out Rock Lobster and Love Shack

When this song came out in 1991, almost every song on the radio was only "boom, boom, boom" and then all of a sudden there was this song with a melody in it, even three melodies, if you listen closely. It restored my faith in humanity, music wise, if you know what I mean. And the lyrics, about unrequited love, are sung with so much feeling, great! It is still one of my all time favourite songs.

I watched this about 4 hrs. ago...great song! Might check out Duran Duran, "Hungry Like the Wolf" probably the big hit from them...

Love REM doing End of The World & Everybody Hurts.

The songs about frustration and unrequainted love for another person and knowing that nothing is going to come from the other person, the love will never be for filled.

This song blew me away when it came out and I was 14. I've loved REM ever since and also went back to the old stuff which is great too.

i love you doing the older songs this is such a good one!

"Nightswimming" is one of REM's best.

What I absolutely adore about songs like this, is there are so many ways we can interpret the lyrics, & it is really up to us, as how we feel it relates to us! ***Great reaction***

This is very moving, as most of their music is, just love them but they finished playing a while ago , much missed 😥.

This is my favourite REM song. It's lovely to see you discovering it. Love from England. X

REM played Losing My Religion in the Christmas episode of the tv show callled Boston Public, and it was unforgettable 💜

“Imitation of Life” is the best song I have ever heard. Other fantastic songs of this band are “Man on the moon”, “Shinny happy people”, “Everybody hurts” among others. Enjoy them.

This is such a cleverly crafted and brilliantly creative song. Thank you 🙏

I've been a fan of REM since the 80's. Michael Stipe's voice is incredible with the passion and pain it can convey but REM are just as strong when doing instrumentals due to the great musicians. They sound as good if not better live. My favourites are So. Central Rain, Fall On Me, Country Feedback, Crush With Eyeliner, Fretless and Try Not To Breathe.

So many interpretations, but what gets me is the hypnotic tune. It draws me in every time.

Down here in the south "Losing My Religion" means losing your cool or your self control.

I always love that you venture into all kinds of music. This band was definitely a favorite at the time. I know others have explained what the song was about, but the video itself was very hard to interpret, but I actually love your interpretation and I thought that many times. One more thing is that I know you loved the instrumental, which contributed so highly to the feel of this song. But there was no guitar, it was based completely around the playing of the mandolin! And another quick fact, this video won 6 major awards at the MTV music awards in 1991! Anyway if you like Michael Stype’s voice, you should definitely react to “everybody hurts“ where the lyrics and especially his voiceAre so highlighted and beautiful and emotional. I love your work. Peace

Beautiful...thank God...you're the first reacter to get it...God bless you Jayzee

Singers voice is incredible.

Love REM. So many memories of my time in NYC.

One of my all time favorite songs! I love REM.

Excellent song! One of my favorite videos as well. Very fitting for the context.

Other great songs by them are: Everybody Hurts It's The End of the World Orange Crush What's The Frequency Kenneth? The last 2 are a bit different as far as the energy you feel while cranking the volume up but all great songs. I probably listen to the 1st and last song I mentioned above more often than the others.

I just wanna let you know, when I need a smile, I watch your reactions. Thank you!!

Thanks for this. One of my fav. bands. Based out of my home state of Ga.

Jay Vee, the lyrics are really deep in this song. Genius lyrics, actually. I won't explain the meaning of "losing my religion", because plenty of others here have done so, but the whole song is an analogy for the struggles of life and love. I'm a new subscriber (just found you this morning, lucky me!), I'm digging your vibe, man. Peace x

Their live performance of this for MTV's 10th Anniversary in 1991 is stunning as well. Formed on 1980, they're cited as being an important influence on alternative rock bands that followed such as Nirvana.

Always loved this song and so glad I read the other comments as like Jay I thought the song was actually about losing your faith..learn something new every day on this channel

Yes love this REM song and another one of theirs you should check out is Orange Crush 👍

First time? My goodness. I hope this song brings as much melodic joy to you as it did to me.

Keep it up brotha, you been listening to great music on your channel

"Shiny Happy People", "Stand" and "Everybody Hurts" love REM

I fell in love with this song waaaaaay back when I was a kid, and love it still.

One of the most intelligent and symbolism-driven song and clip along with it. Fantastic cinematography and editing. It still holds up today.

I can’t even imagine my reaction to hearing this for the first time as an adult. I was born in the early 80s and remember this being ubiquitous in the summer of ‘91. Even if it is just a song about cursing, it sounds transcendant. My favourite REM track is still Pilgrimage though.

I love this video so much. Every time you discover something new.

One of the best songs ever in my opinion. It's really like no other.

was an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe, who were students at the University of Georgia.

I sure don't understand any thumbs down on your videos. Love this song. Love your song picks and YOU! Everybody hurts sometimes

Man in the Moon, Everybody Hurts, Shiny Happy People are the first of many which come to mind. Unusual and special band.

So nice to see the new generation enjoy the music we enjoyed before! Love R.E.M and these music

Great song! That mandolin just sets it offf!!!

This one goes out to the one I love by REM

My brother says this song always reminds him of his son. After his birth he left the hospital, got into his car turned the key and this started to play. At that moment he was so happy he burst into tears and now this song always reminds him of that moment even 29 years later.

I grown up with this songs of the 90s , and it was so wonderful and full of emotions

Like two of my favorites in a row, THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN!!

"Orange Crush" by this band as also a great hit too. Sometime you may want to check it out.

React to their song Its the End of the World as We Know It ... kinda relevant tho today during the pandemic!!

I luv for u to hear Basia new day for u ,promises shes good as well 💜💜✌🏾✌🏾