this post was submitted on 24 Oct 2023
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[–] sanguinepar@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago (3 children)

R.E.M. and Shiny Happy People. It's just so out of place, especially on an otherwise great album.

[–] TedZanzibar@feddit.uk 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I read somewhere that that was the whole point. Their label or manager complained that all of their songs were dull and depressing and why can't they make something that's chart friendly, so that's what they did. If you listen to the lyrics while knowing the back story you can pretty much hear the sarcasm oozing from every syllable.

Not that I can find any reference to it now, of course, but that's what I read/heard and it makes the song 10 times better.

[–] sanguinepar@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Yeah, I could definitely imagine that. Still don't really like it though :-)

[–] dan1101@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Kate Pierson sort of makes the video for me but yeah it's a vapid song.

[–] sanguinepar@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

It is. I did see a theory that it was actually a very (too?) subtle commentary on the Tiananmen Square Massacre, but I'm not sure I believe it tbh.

[–] Lifecoach5000@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

One of the guys from The Monkees recently covered this and it and it gave me a new found respect for this song.

[–] sanguinepar@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Oh cool, I'll need to check that out.