This song moves me 20 years later as much as it did when I was 19. The year I went to the mail box and found a post card in untidy writing, an answer to my letter from Mr. Mike Mills. That letter and this album got me through so much. It still does. Such a beautiful album.
its not about kurt, an rem disc was found in his stereo beside his body. rem were the last thing he listened to, mr stipe is kurts daughters god father. sry if u already knew this
man this song nearly had me in tears when i was a young teenager, before i even developed a conscience (older folk will know what i mean) powerful song.
this is like half a semi tone slower/lower pitch. What a gorgeous song. I am so ashamed and embarrassed with today's music. The only good thing about todays rubbish is that it only puts gem songs like this into perspective. R.E.M!!
Me too brother. I loved so deeply during this period of my life. Promises were given and, subsequently broken. Blamed on youthful indiscretion. I haven't formed a healthy relationship with a women since, and probably never will.
Que cancion estremecedora. Espero volver a verlos como en aquella maravillosa primavera del 2008, La mejor banda del mundo, solo superada por the beatles
My first 5 star song. This means cream of the cream- absolute best. Way back when I was 15 in 2001 this was the first song to really '"shake my reality" and helped define what it means when song goes above and beyond. I've heard many, many better songs since then so it doesn't have that same punch, but it's still one of the best songs. The best song by REM.
I m not really a REM fan but I think Automatic for the people is a masterpiece and their best album by FAR . This album is always on the road in my holidays.
In my view its a metaphor for life, or more accurately your journey through life to the ocean, (death). The song is basically about trying to find your most meaningful path through life. Which is why it is both uplifting and melancholy. Utterly haunting and my favourite REM song by a large margin.
Interesting thought. Just one question: If the river means the way of life and ocean is death, what could be meant by "just deserve" and "the ocean is the river's goal"? I'd say this is the most uplifting part of the whole song because it hints to the possibility of heaven.
"your just deserves are only just light years to go" says that life is not a dress rehearsal - there is little time left (in the grand scheme of things), so "don't be shy" and take every opportunity that comes your way. "The ocean is the rivers goal"; every river runs towards the sea, all life leads inexorably to death. I don't know if Michael Stipe is hinting at the possibility of heaven or commenting on the futility of life. But personally I take the latter view.
Really? How did anybody find out about THAT? Absolutely great pictures, by the way, it's like all these rivers were one huge street of water on which one could travel all around the world!
Fine closer to their superb Automatic album. Yeah a well crafted song. This was the last single taken off the album in the UK but didn't make much of an impact (Top 60 I think), probably because everybody had the album by then anyway. (David).
As much as I also prefer the first view I need more than preference to justify faith. :-) But you could be right! If the metaphor of river=life and ocean=death is correct then water=soul. The ocean is the rivers goal, a need to leave the water knows.
its certainly in the top 10 albums. I doubt its their best. Document, New adventures in hifi, green , up, reckoning, life rich pagent, accelerate, murmur, around the sun are certainly better. Automatic is better than out of time though.
This song is a solace for those of us getting older & wondering how the lovely years slipped past.
This song always helps me get through hard times. I listen to it a lot.
Some get it, some don't. This is one of the best philosophical songs ever written.
probably their best song, certainly one of thee best songs
There best 😉👍
This song moves me 20 years later as much as it did when I was 19. The year I went to the mail box and found a post card in untidy writing, an answer to my letter from Mr. Mike Mills. That letter and this album got me through so much. It still does. Such a beautiful album.
That's some really good lyrics. Most modern artists could learn so much from them.
a wonderful song from a great album and a great band. R.E.M. a legend!! :-)
best rem song ever absolutely brilliant
its not about kurt, an rem disc was found in his stereo beside his body. rem were the last thing he listened to, mr stipe is kurts daughters god father. sry if u already knew this
always gives me strength my fave rem song
My favourite REM song !!
just late nights,head phones on,glass in hand,forgetting the the next days toil... love it
This song makes me cry, not sure how or why but it is as emotional as any thing ive ever had the pleasure of hearing.
man this song nearly had me in tears when i was a young teenager, before i even developed a conscience (older folk will know what i mean)
powerful song.
I remember well I used to show this song to my students about to graduate... most of them cried for the beauty of the song and it´s lyrics.
WOW !!! Awesome song !!!
this is like half a semi tone slower/lower pitch. What a gorgeous song. I am so ashamed and embarrassed with today's music. The only good thing about todays rubbish is that it only puts gem songs like this into perspective. R.E.M!!
definitly one of the best songs ever
I did exactly the same about 2 years ago! Amazingly calming song
esta música é fantástica, a minha preferida, além de boa pra ouvir, a letra é maravilhosa.
parabéns michael Stipe.
Me too brother. I loved so deeply during this period of my life. Promises were given and, subsequently broken. Blamed on youthful indiscretion. I haven't formed a healthy relationship with a women since, and probably never will.
Yes - it was one of my favourites. Hope it comes back one day.
The most contemplative Real Easy Mothers'(sic) tune I do believe.
yes .. one of my favorite songs of all time. it reminds me not to hold things too close.
a little songs like this have in this world... great song
This is one of the best REM songs. I might not understand what it is about exactly but somehow it gives me some sort of inner peace
Que cancion estremecedora. Espero volver a verlos como en aquella maravillosa primavera del 2008, La mejor banda del mundo, solo superada por the beatles
thanks guys for your excellent music
Ahhhhhh!...medicine.
My first 5 star song. This means cream of the cream- absolute best. Way back when I was 15 in 2001 this was the first song to really '"shake my reality" and helped define what it means when song goes above and beyond. I've heard many, many better songs since then so it doesn't have that same punch, but it's still one of the best songs. The best song by REM.
Such a beautiful song...it makes me feel melancholy. I love it
Me, my thoughts are flower-strewn
Ocean storm, bayberry moon
Guessing the two dislikes were from Justin Beiber fans lol. One of the best songs I've ever heard and I am 57
One of my favorite REM songs!
IMHO, the best ever song from R.E.M.
My fav R.E.M. song. Thanks for posting it with pics.
I'm probably not the first person to point this out but Kurt died in 1994 and this song cmae out in 92.
There best track ever IMHO ❤️😉🍷
I m not really a REM fan but I think Automatic for the people is a masterpiece and their best album by FAR . This album is always on the road in my holidays.
at times this song reminds of my own life.
Beautiful! Well done.
oldie and a beauty love you earth
In my view its a metaphor for life, or more accurately your journey through life to the ocean, (death). The song is basically about trying to find your most meaningful path through life.
Which is why it is both uplifting and melancholy. Utterly haunting and my favourite REM song by a large margin.
Can someone answer me this: How can one find it in their heart to dislike this?
Novel and worth doing --- appreciate you up loading thanks ! REM ROCKS!
Best band since the Beatles.
river to the ocean goes...
bellissima
The best part of this life has passed before my eyes...
Automatic For the People = Masterpiece
Woooowwwww. Why is this sooo sssllloooooowwwwwww? It is like 20 bpm's slower than it should be.
Amazing song.
I agree. There was once a great vid to this song on youtube but it's obviously been removed.
@AllyMaciver It's my favorite, too. It gives me chills whenever I play it.
Nice video - Thanx for the effort mate.
All the best from PeterBoPeter.
A DIVINE SONG!!!!!!
This is my favourite REM song, f**k all the famous ones! I LOVE this.
é semplicemente divina.......
best REM song
Interesting thought. Just one question: If the river means the way of life and ocean is death, what could be meant by "just deserve" and "the ocean is the river's goal"? I'd say this is the most uplifting part of the whole song because it hints to the possibility of heaven.
Great song, nice pics. Anyone know what happened to the video with the old man and the dog?
Pienso que no buscas bien...
Sí buscas seguro que lo emcuentras!!! Y verás la luz!!y una salida a tanto problema!!!
"your just deserves are only just light years to go" says that life is not a dress rehearsal - there is little time left (in the grand scheme of things), so "don't be shy" and take every opportunity that comes your way.
"The ocean is the rivers goal"; every river runs towards the sea, all life leads inexorably to death.
I don't know if Michael Stipe is hinting at the possibility of heaven or commenting on the futility of life. But personally I take the latter view.
my wedding song
Nice!
@royalsteven What an album!
Really? How did anybody find out about THAT?
Absolutely great pictures, by the way, it's like all these rivers were one huge street of water on which one could travel all around the world!
grandios............
Fine closer to their superb Automatic album. Yeah a well crafted song. This was the last single taken off the album in the UK but didn't make much of an impact (Top 60 I think), probably because everybody had the album by then anyway.
(David).
Why, thank you, what an interesting answer! Personally, I prefer to take the first view. Just because I like it better. ;-)
@belfastchild76 Good for you. Hope your marriage is as great as ours - married 33 years and still adore her. Love this song too by the way.
...coriander and stemmed rose bouquet
As much as I also prefer the first view I need more than preference to justify faith.
:-)
But you could be right! If the metaphor of river=life and ocean=death is correct then water=soul.
The ocean is the rivers goal,
a need to leave the water knows.
its certainly in the top 10 albums. I doubt its their best. Document, New adventures in hifi, green , up, reckoning, life rich pagent, accelerate, murmur, around the sun are certainly better. Automatic is better than out of time though.
good
it's still posted on youtube via remhq
The pitch on this sounds all weird. Slowed down. You may want to get your turntable checked.
I think if Kurt Cobain would have made it to this song, he would have been ok.
bad day at work,argued with the wife,bills come through the door.... just stop & listen,alls well at the end of the day
@naishdave
There was a man with his dog in it as I recall
@AllyMaciver Fine evaluation.
man! rem IS for on the road! it is probably their best, but try to listen to reveal, and up! they are underrated but i guess just as good.
GEM.
there it is
@royalsteven nightswimming, dude
One person has not found the river.
Yo ya lo encontré......
@moonchildalone
this guy knows
its just a good dam song ?
@fecalpost because it rhymes/flows better with "little speedy head"
@royalsteven Decent song, but I prefer Sweetness Follows
@AllyMaciver there songs mean nothing, there just awesome songs, even there lead singer(forgot the name) dosen't know what he sings.
@Eric2947 In a word friend - no.
That was easy
The song sounds too low.. like it's played too slow... strange.
my bad, i.ve pushed the wrong buton :D
@fecalpost
Maybe you "mis-pronounce" it
The beginning of this song is a copy of Gervasio - Con Una Pala Y Un Sombrero.
Nice comment. Yes, just maybe.
not in tune ): still a great song
@marannieify
:)