R.E.M. - E-Bow the Letter (with Thom Yorke)
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- čas přidán 20. 08. 2024
- Tibetan Freedom Concert 1998
In 1998, Thom Yorke of Radiohead performed with R.E.M. at the Tibetan Freedom Concert in Washington, D.C. He sang Patti Smith's part of "E-Bow the Letter," a duet with lead singer Michael Stipe. Stipe also joined Radiohead for a song, singing Yorke's part on "Lucky." Watch "Lucky" here: • Radiohead - Lucky (wit...
E-Bow the Letter:
[from New Adventures in Hi-Fi]
Look up. What do you see?
All of you and all of me,
fluorescent and starry,
some of them they surprise
busride. I went to write this, 4:00 a.m.
this letter.
fields of poppies, little pearls.
All the boys and all the girls
sweet-toothed, each and every one a little scary.
I said your name.
I wore it like a badge of teenage film stars,
hash bars, cherry mash and tin foil tiaras.
Dreaming of Maria Callas,
whoever she is.
This fame thing, I don't get it.
I wrapped my hand in plastic to try to look through it.
Maybelline eyes and girl-as-boy moves.
I can take you far.
This star thing, I don't get it.
[I'll take you over. I'll take you there.]
Aluminum, it tastes like fear.
Adrenaline, it pulls us near.
Will you live to 83?
Will you ever welcome me,
will you show me something that nobody else has seen?
Smoke it, drink.
Here comes the flood,
anything to thin the blood.
These corrosives do their magic slowly, and sweet.
Phone, eat it, drink.
just another chink,
cuts and dents they catch the light.
Aluminum, the weakest link.
I don't want to disappoint you.
I'm not here to annoint you.
I would lick your feet
but is that the sickest move,
I wear my own crown, and sadness, and sorrow,
and who'd of thought tomorrow could be so strange?
My loss. And here we go again.
[I'll take you over. I'll take you there.]
Aluminum, it tastes like fear.
Adrenaline, it pulls us near.
It tastes like fear.
It pulls us near.
Look up, what do you see?
All of you and all of me,
fluorescent and starry
some of them they surprise.
I can't look it in the eyes.
Seconal, spanish fly, absinthe, kerosene,
cherry-flavored neck and collar.
I can smell the sorrow on your breath.
The sweat, the victory and sorrow.
This smell thing, I got it.
[I'll take you over. I'll take you there.]
Aluminum, it tastes like fear.
Adrenaline, it pulls us near.
It tastes like fear.
It pulls us near.
It tastes like fear.
It pulls us near. - Hudba
"When I was in college, the Pixies and R.E.M. changed my life."
- Thom Yorke, at Coachella 2004
Rem changed everyone's lives... And for the better
@@petejones879 after ten years me and you are the first to reply to this comment
Pixies rule, I love Thom Yorke
My high school teacher had a poster of Document behind his desk I checked them out and I was off and running
@@simonandme9397Pixies influence is heard all ends of rock from Modest Mouse Cage the Elephant and many others
This is one of the most underrated songs of life.
I agree 150%!
Rachel Haytsidt Seriously. I just saw it today and thought: Why the EFF did I not see this BEFORE??? Thom was amazing!
Amazing - my funeral song
XD
It’s my favorite song that has ever been written
I don’t think people realize how much Thom needed this for the time
this star thing, i don't get it...
Holy crap. I didn't think that this song would work without Patti Smith, but Thom Yorke nailed her part. When he started singing his ass off at 4:21 I was blown away at the power and tone that came over him. You can tell that at 5:20 Michael Stipe is like "You did it man," when he puts his arm around Yorke.
It must've been amazing for Thom, since he looked up to Michael and REM before Radiohead got big. Imagine singing alongside your music idol not as a fan, but as a peer. Really cool moment!
Sean Rushford is their a term for more than blown away, he is amazing, nails it!
karen bock I love both of these artists, but has anybody seen a person looking cooler than the keyboard player.
I love the way Michael is watching Thom during that bit. It's a beautiful moment.
@@debs656 Its a very personal song for Michael, about River. One of the few songs that is Michael in his own feelings. Its much easier for Thom, and for that matter Patti, to be in their own feelings.
Seeing how proud Stipe is of Thom makes me so happy 😊😊
I can never get over how thom absolutely crushes it
Aaron Fleur de lys Right? He's possessed. It's so sincere and brutal. Delicate and BADA** at the same time. F___K.
Yep never heard it better.
coke
Thing is, in hindsight, there is literally no reason he wouldn't. The guy is an all time legend. Cliché as fuck i know but Thom could sing the phonebook.
In the 1990s, we crowd-surfed to EVERYTHING.
Best example of Flow State when Thom disappears into the song. Michael knows it and let's him go. This performance always gives me the chills.
Delicately speaking his part I’m the mic and watching Thom.
My idol with his idol.
Mr. Stipe..You are a real gentleman and human being
That moment at around 04:20 when he channels Patti Smith is transcendent. Gives me chills.
Me too...
Seriously 5:05 how the hell does Thom do that and hold a note so long for such a little guy after such a mouthful.. he is truly a legend
Thom was feeling the song 10000% u the man Thom
Johno what a song!
Thom effin crushes everything he does....the man is from another world
I think this all has a history behind it. Around 98 Thom got really, dangerously depressed. Help came from Michael, who gave him strength and motivation to go forward. The saddest part may be that Michael wished he could have helped Kurt Cobain the same way a few years before that.
So in a way I think he saved Thom's life. But that's only my two cents...
Wow... I didn't know that. Thanks.
Know this is like 5 years later, but it's believed that the "letter" was a letter written to River Phoenix, Stipe's friend, concerning Phoenix's hardcore drug abuse, but was never sent due to his death. The words "For River" are seen at the bottom of the rear view mirror on the sleeve for this single.
'Teenage stars...tinfoil tiaras...girlish boy moves, the star thing, I don't get it' thinly veiled references to River. He wears a tinfoil crown in the film "running on empty", which he received an oscar nomination for. Fucking tragic loss. Thank goodness for these magical creatured we still have. Tom Yorke, and Michael Stipe are brilliant.
@@sashabrown1796 well said that man and wow, that's real deep and has put new perspective on this already awesome song.. good info there sir 👍🤘
I think it wouldve been tough to save kurt who was dealing with addiction, depression, the pressure of being in a giant rock group, burn out from a tour he wanted nothing to do with and a failing marriage.
serious bromance between those two. love it.
+Sauce and Sun or better, romance
It’s a beautiful thing.
Choose A Better Name you seemed to feel sorry for not joining the party!
Bono and Noel Gallagher also had huge admiration for each other. Ah, the awesome 1990s 😢
@@dido4386 Thomich? Michom?
thom is totally performing on stage in front of thousands of fans, living his dream, all with his childhood hero
I think Michael is in love with Thom
Yeah. Just like everybody else
I think Michael was and always has been thoms mentor and hero.
Mrs Thom Yorke Think the same
Thom is the one Michael was able to bring back from the edge. He lost River, and Kurt despite trying to help them through their dark days. I'm sure he's very grateful to have Thom in the world and to be playing music with him.
@@sashabrown1796 I know Michael through my friend Ben, who Michael lost too. Not to be too cliche but the 90s were the best of times and the worst of times. I would do crowd control while a friend would beat the life back into people that overdosed. I remember one saying "tell my family i love them" and we were like, oh no, we aren't losing you today squirt.
you can literally see thoms emotion and pain as he sings and it's one of the most beautiful performances i've seen
I was there. Somewhere in that huge crowd in RFK. Only 17 yrs old
Organized by Adam Yauch, his optimism is something we could use, it feels like conspiracy that he was taken so soon.
Two of my favorite bands/lead singers on stage together...can't ask for much better than Thom and Michael!
AND MICHAELS SARONG AH HA HA!!!
Thom was F U K K IN PHENOMENAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously. I think that just became my favorite performance of any ARTIST EVER. Seriously. Killed it. Such passion and abandon.
What are your runner ups? I like Prince's guitar solo on While My Guitar Gently Weeps
@@whutwhut2434 Hard to pick, cuz there are so many you know. I love Sinead O'Connor; she's so passionate and a "protest singer" as she says herself.
@@whutwhut2434 I also love the Killers' performance of "All these things that I've done" at 2005 Oxegen festival. It's on CZcams.
R.E.M. is amazing in their own right. Nonetheless, Thom is spectacular in his role. His passion is apparent and absolute in the way he sings his part. (In my opinion).. It seems obvious this song has some personal attachment to Thom (especially) at this point in his life. From what I understand the song is a tribute to River Pheonix. Thom stated in interviews that Michael Stipe was influential during the "OK Computer-era"... .. We've (all) been there.. Glad you had support Thom! Your portion of the song brings chills & raises the hair on my neck every time I play the song - no matter how many times I play it! Amazing! "I'll take you over..."
Rare thing to see Michael Stipe being being outdone on stage. Well done Thom.
Right, good chemistry. But I prefer Smith version, don't know.
Look up ! What do you see ? All of you and all of me ! . In 2021 we miss these iconic live shows . Our world may never be the same . Thank you REM and Thom Yorke for this memory
Adam Yauch organized the Tibetan Freedom concerts, such a beacon of good gone too soon.
This is definitely the greatest performance in history. EBow is my favorite REM song and adding Thom in there made it ten times better. I'd give anything to have been there.
i love it when a singer MEANS what he's singing. you can see at the end how spent thom is. he meant it so much. what a great video. thanks.
At 4:00 Thom starts to swim into the song, then he starts to fly away. Amazing...
I love this song including Thom Yorke
Radiohead & R.E.M are my favorite bands
Thom yorke is a cool Cat .. Michael and thom are Pals ..
Thom Yorke gave me goosebumps again watching this all these years later. My favorite REM songs. Beautiful. ✨💛
4:23 thom yorke kills it!
OMG - King Thom and Michael Stripe together! They're still great friends after all these years! Radiohead and R.E.M. performed together on this Tour.
I was like "It's such a waste to bring Thom for a boring chorus", till the 4:18. JAJAJAJ. Awesome.
Liberis Puritatem My reaction exactly. Thom Yorke is perhaps my favorite living vocalist. I wonder what it would be like if he had sang or alternated Michael's part.
A boring chorus?!! The disrespect
Thom Yorke simply the Best!
No. That was Tina Turner surely?
E-Bow the letter is one of the most powerful songs I've ever heard with Patti Smith. I love it. It' usually freezes me in place, and so I listen when I can handle it. But this is the moment Thom Yorke realized he could take over. Hence, every fuckin Radiohead album afterwards.
I adore Thoms little shimmy/dance in the beginning 😍💜 and this is generally fucking amazing.
Also just need to say WOW. . how far our Thom has come in terms of owning who he is. Brilliant.
that last note goes on forever … powerful
Thom Yorke...leaves it all.out there on stage..genius
I have very stark memories of finding this on Napster as a teenager and listening to it with the screen door cracked open just enough that the cat wouldn't run out, during a raging thunderstorm. So glad it's still up for people to enjoy.
Same here ! Immediately brings me back to Napster or maybe I got it on Limewire. Great memories my friend ❤
Thom is such a beautiful creature. I could watch him sing all day.
Why the fuck have i never seen this before?! Two of my favourites...singing together. Amazing.
It's great to see these Michael and Thom working together. They obviously admire each other. I wish they'd done more song collaborations! =O
Sweet I was at this concert. This was probably the highlight of the show.
Best 6 minutes in live music ever ❤️
One of the greatest live music moments between 2 iconic musicians . Thank you REM and Thom Yorke ! I miss these days 💕
Thom Y is the best Patti S ever.
Jérôme Nicolas He can do no wrong. He’s other fantastic duets with Bjork and PJ Harvey as well
I would have loved to have been there! Even Bjork performed... omg I need a time machine. lol
Simone Figeroux The nineties were the best time to be a teenager
Thank you Thom ❤️
"thank you thom"
That's it: My new name for Thom is Ersatz-Patti. Thank you Michael.
this is my favorite video on the internet
this will forever be a moment in time that is priceless
Thank god/FSM it was captured.
Ersatz Patty ! Please ! Thom is brilliant in his own right . Best version ever of this song ❤️
I thought that this song doesn't do anything for Thom. but this is my fifth time listening to this version, and i'm amazed by his voice now. it doesn't matter what the song is, Thom Yorke always makes it his own.
I don't think there are words to describe how insanely amazing this is.
Posted msg 1 year+ ago, but felt compelled to re-post it. eBow must have had a special meaning for Thom, otherwise he could have chosen a song which "touched him" during his time at Exeter. The vocals are flawless - esp Thoms accompaniment! Michael is a legend, but I found myself fixated on how he became engrossed in watching Thom as he sang. A-MAZING! Thom was troubled a few years back. Stipe helped. eBow, although about River Ph., is close to Thoms heart. Wow! to earn the respect of idols!
Love the “Thank you, Thom” at the end
I was there. The sound system at RFK Stadium was terrible that day. Still cool seeing Thom Yorke perform with R.E.M. (and Michael, Mike, and Peter perform with Radiohead the previous day).
Incredible pairing of two genius.
I was there close to the stage. 1998 hot as hell. Dying of thirst. THis was def one of the highlights
I have the VHS sent from the fan club in late 90s. I still cry when I hear Thom York in this song.
Daniel Lind He's amazing… so into the song man. sh*t.
Before I even listened and watched I knew Thom would be perfect, and he was.
Great performance Thom.
The end looks to me like Yorke was going through some serious shit and Stipe had been pulling him through.. looks very emotional.
That was so beautiful
Two of the best frontmen ever.
Free Tibet.
two of my idols singing side by side,. incredible
Thom always reminds me of Jesse pinkman when he wears those clothes too big for him
It's funny, 'cause which came first? ;)
Yeah you' re right! By the way, Aaron Paul (Jesse Pinkman) is a huge fan of Radiohead.
One of my fave R.E.M. songs and a beautiful version......
I was at this concert! My best friend was/is a huge REM and Radiohead fan and this set brought her to tears.
This is so damn good, especially thom's climax. It really gives me goose bumps
Thank you for uploading. I was there and will never forget. But this is an awesome reminder.
4;20 Thom is killing it PURE PASSION just feel it ..
i think thom yorke is incredible. in joyce's words, in his voice, we could "feel and share the excitement of swift and secure flight"
Ugh! Two of the greatest guys EVER! I love Thom Yorke! He is just amazing, one of my biggest inspirations. I love his stage presence. Michael Stipe...well, he's just Michael Stipe, and I love him.
Two of the world's best dancers on stage together!
Still elevant, still beautiful, still perfect
yeah i know what you mean, it sends shivers down my spine. yorke and stipe are both geniuses, and yorke's vocals on here are amazing, especially when he loses himself in the music towards the end.
It's weird... I'm a huggge Radiohead fan, I love Bjork, Morrissey and Pink Floyd but could never for the life of me get into REM or Joy Division, two of Radioheads biggest influences, I think it's really Thoms voice for me and their ability to blow you away with Crunchy guitars or make you want to want to dance with groovy bass lines and drum loops, who else can really pull that off?
Two great artists, amazing, I wish I was there!
Thom gives me legitimate chills in this performance. What a sound 💜💜 what a chemistry with stipe and Yorke. It’s a beautiful thing
Love this. Michael's "thank you, Thom" is so sweet.
two genius on a same stage!!
I'm so in love with this
Why is this not the most viewed video on CZcams?
I think this version is better than the creators ever imagined. Thank you Thom, thank you Michael!
They compliment each other perfectly.
I dont think any other song can make me sob with joy and happiness :). this is perfect.
My favorite R.E.M. song.. Radiohead used to be my favorite Band, which is how I stumbled upon them.. Which was more than enough to peak my interest.. R.E.M. is now my favorite Band... but my Lord, that might have been the best Ive ever heard Thom nail a note...
This is my favorite live song, ever.
When I originally heard this on the 'Best of REM' album I immediately felt "Thom vibes." Then I come across this treasure of a video years later. Point is, even our idols have people they dig from -- and it so clear when you can hear a song like this and then think someone like Thom had a time machine, but nah its so clear Patty Smith and REM really rubbed off on him and he's a fan like all of us. What a performance, great vid!
I absolutely love this. Happy I found it and thanks for posting. Thom and Michael together on one stage..love it!
Thom doesn't give a shit. The year before, he and his band had just released the best album created.
i agree with you in the past 30 years, i mean ok computer is a gem and thom was only like 26 when he wrote that… but it's not the best album ever. check your beatles and the like but this album is in my top 5
Sauce and Sun I think on paper and bearing in all sources as well as music OK Cumputer is frequently placed as the best album of all time.
My top list is :
1. Sgt.pepper - the beatles
2. Ok Computer - Radiohead
Alex Pack Why are Radiohead fans so goddamn obnoxiously hyperbolic all the time?
Are you talking about Ok Computer, this is in 1998, and Ok Computer was released in 1997, so it is year after right ... unless you are talking about Kid A.
The first 30 seconds of the video with Thom doing the hip dance and Michael in the dress is probably one of the funniest/awesomest things I've seen in a while. It's totally .gif worthy
Great F&#*ing song as well. Thom really nailed Patti's vocals.
larks tongues in aspic
No body distracting talking video and photos with cellphones .Living the moment in music
No tengo palabras ... Thom lo vivió.... Michael es el maestro para Thom
Wow! Amazing song & amazing vocals by Thom. I've read that (the guys of) Radiohead are long-time fans of R.E.M. to whatever extent that is reliable. I get the feeling this song and it's meaning are of special interest to Thom ... also read that Michael (Stipe) helped him through some tough times. I love how Michael can't stop watching Thom sing his part ... it's irresistably engaging and flawless. Love how he holds the long note and beats his hand with the rhythm - reminds me of the blind:)
Damn how have i never seen this? Beautiful
Ahhh this is making me grin ear-to-ear! I love it soo much what an amazing discovery!
R.E.M. and Radiohead played on back to back nights in 2003 in Vancouver, so we got to hear this during the encore of R.E.M.'s show. Then Thom stuck around to dance to It's The End of the World As We Know It.
I played this song at a 6th grade dance I DJed. Patti Smith did the Tom York part . I was rocking out to it, while my class thought I was a bit off. Thanks for making me young again. 😊
I must be dreamig ! Michael Stipe & Thom Yorke together !!!