R.E.M. — I've Been High
Album: RevealAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 715
Length: 3:22
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Have you seen?
Have not, will travel.
Have I missed the big reveal?
Do my eyes
Do my eyes seem empty?
I've forgotten how this feels.
I've been high
I've climbed so high
But life sometimes
It washes over me.
Have you been?
Have done, will travel.
I fell down on my knees.
Was I wrong?
I don't know, don't answer.
I just needed to believe.
I've been high
I've climbed so high
But life sometimes
It washes over me.
So
I dive into a pool so cool and deep that if I sink I sink
And when I swim I fly so high
What I want
What I really want is
Just to live my life on high.
And I know
I know you want the same
I can see it in your eyes.
I've been high
I've climbed so high
But life sometimes
It washes over me.
Washes over me
Close my eyes so I can see
Make my make-believe believe
In me.
Have not, will travel.
Have I missed the big reveal?
Do my eyes
Do my eyes seem empty?
I've forgotten how this feels.
I've been high
I've climbed so high
But life sometimes
It washes over me.
Have you been?
Have done, will travel.
I fell down on my knees.
Was I wrong?
I don't know, don't answer.
I just needed to believe.
I've been high
I've climbed so high
But life sometimes
It washes over me.
So
I dive into a pool so cool and deep that if I sink I sink
And when I swim I fly so high
What I want
What I really want is
Just to live my life on high.
And I know
I know you want the same
I can see it in your eyes.
I've been high
I've climbed so high
But life sometimes
It washes over me.
Washes over me
Close my eyes so I can see
Make my make-believe believe
In me.
Comments (53)add comment
Unlike many R.E.M. fans, it seems, I really dig some of their later material where they took chances musically and sonically. This song is a great example, and I don't think it detracts from the legacy and impact of their earlier work, but rather shows what's possible when a band allows themselves to evolve and try new things. Their first album after Bill Berry left, Up, is one of my favorites because they apparently used his parting to try new things that may not have happened in a more traditional band configuration. I know it gets mixed reviews, and not all of the songs work equally well, but it is different and it has character, and I appreciate that. The same goes for Reveal to a great extent.
aww that's an oldie but a goodie
What does this sound like? 80s song, female singer, banging on about holding her tight...
First REM song I've ever liked
of the post Berry stuff, this record is kind of underrated. It has a Beach Boys vibe to it, especially in the 2nd half of it
Wow. Gee. FM radio so utterly destroyed my curiosity for this band that these cuts are unknown to me. Having heard Losing My Religion Twister Everybody Hurts et al etc. ad infinitum on the choking channels of commercial air I didn't seek out more REM, and other bands too, like U2. Cuts like these — my first hearing it — make me a bit regretful I didn't at least chase down a few more tracks. Then again, in '01 or thereabouts, we had no iTunes or other snap crackle ways to load up on tunes we missed. Thanks, RP.
wishlist wrote:
I have almost the opposite reaction to REM than most people. I feel that REM was almost unlistenable in the early years have become much better songwriters and musicians over time. I love the feeling, sentiment and sound of this song.
I love early R.E.M. but I have to agree with at least part of your comment. I love the entire R.E.M. catalog for what it is. Sometimes I'm more in the mood for the "early" sound, and sometimes I want to listen to the later R.E.M., but I can appreciate them for what they've done.
They did become more adept at their craft, though their early efforts deserve credit if you consider the backdrop of what else was going on in the music world at the time.
I have almost the opposite reaction to REM than most people. I feel that REM was almost unlistenable in the early years have become much better songwriters and musicians over time. I love the feeling, sentiment and sound of this song.
I love early R.E.M. but I have to agree with at least part of your comment. I love the entire R.E.M. catalog for what it is. Sometimes I'm more in the mood for the "early" sound, and sometimes I want to listen to the later R.E.M., but I can appreciate them for what they've done.
They did become more adept at their craft, though their early efforts deserve credit if you consider the backdrop of what else was going on in the music world at the time.
...completely unrecognisable and not entirely bad, either: i respect the effort...
What he said!
pushkinjim wrote:
RP plays REM more than Classic Rock stations play their favorite mediocre shit band - Van Halen!
To REM (and Van Halen)
RP plays REM more than Classic Rock stations play their favorite mediocre shit band - Van Halen!
To REM (and Van Halen)
snakechaser wrote:
I like old R.E.M., but not this. Ho hum, indeed.
Heh! I don't much like modern REM . . . this was fairly listenable.
I have almost the opposite reaction to REM than most people. I feel that REM was almost unlistenable in the early years have become much better songwriters and musicians over time.
I love the feeling, sentiment and sound of this song.
Viv515 wrote:
It really sucks that one of my favorite bands has slipped into mediocrity.
bokey wrote:
What is that ticking sound in the background?<...> They have found new ways to be irritating.<...> REM.Peewee Herman gets irritated by REM.<...>I'd rather watch American Idol than listen to REM.
I worship (IRS-era) REM, and still I'm LMAO!! That's gotta be some kinda sardonic (or as we sometimes say here at RP, sartorial) genius, there, Mr. bokey.
snakechaser wrote:
I like old R.E.M., but not this. Ho hum, indeed.
It really sucks that one of my favorite bands has slipped into mediocrity.
AlienRelic wrote:
Yeah, but what do you really think of REM?
I think he's on the fence.
bokey wrote:
What is that ticking sound in the background?
They have found new ways to be irritating.They are the Christopher Columbus of irritation.They are like sand in your butt crack.They are like that little chunky gristly thing you get in a hamburger.You know the guy that put a cigarette butt in the last Heineken after the stores were all closed?That was really REM.Osama Bin Laden is really REM.Peewee Herman gets irritated by REM.Sunburn on the back of your knee is better than REM.
I'd rather watch American Idol than listen to REM.
You should really try to get more in touch with your feelings
bokey wrote:
I'd rather watch American Idol than listen to REM.
I never thought about it before, but I have to agree with you there, at least about REM after about 1990. Everything they've done since then is bo-RING. Especially this one. It's not even interesting enough to warrant a sucko-barfo.
Love REM, dont like song
I like old R.E.M., but not this. Ho hum, indeed.
bokey wrote:
What is that ticking sound in the background?
They have found new ways to be irritating.They are the Christopher Columbus of irritation.They are like sand in your butt crack.They are like that little chunky gristly thing you get in a hamburger.You know the guy that put a cigarette butt in the last Heineken after the stores were all closed?That was really REM.Osama Bin Laden is really REM.Peewee Herman gets irritated by REM.Sunburn on the back of your knee is better than REM.
I'd rather watch American Idol than listen to REM.
Yeah, but what do you really think of REM?
One of their more unique albums...which I liked!
Takes me back to a very special springtime in my life.
What is that ticking sound in the background?
They have found new ways to be irritating. They are the Christopher Columbus of irritation. They are like sand in your butt crack. They are like that little chunky gristly thing you get in a hamburger. You know the guy that put a cigarette butt in the last Heineken after the stores were all closed?That was really REM. Osama Bin Laden is really REM. Peewee Herman gets irritated by REM. Sunburn on the back of your knee is better than REM.
I'd rather watch American Idol than listen to REM.
TheAax wrote:
Not a bad song. Mellow. Sirius Satellite has been playing "Leaving New York" from this CD and I love that song. Great mellow song to chill out to. Maybe this is REM's "lullaby" CD?
Leaving New York is off of the album after this, Around the Sun ;)
Both Up and Reveal are very underrated. Around the Sun was the dissapointment, well, except for The Outsiders.
Way below par for REM.
sounds like talk talk
TheAax wrote:
Not a bad song. Mellow. Sirius Satellite has been playing "Leaving New York" from this CD and I love that song. Great mellow song to chill out to. Maybe this is REM's "lullaby" CD?
Up has some good, mellow songs too. Check it out -- it's a great CD.
I think I was high when I realized I couldn't stand REM...I never came down.
Philistine that I am, this is my favorite REM song.
Not a bad song. Mellow. Sirius Satellite has been playing "Leaving New York" from this CD and I love that song. Great mellow song to chill out to. Maybe this is REM's "lullaby" CD?
Never listened to this album before. Up was the last one I've listened to.
Hearing this track sure makes me miss Bill Berry!
This guy just can't sing. Painful.
deneb wrote:
Sounds so much like... Roxy Music maybe?
Yes! That was exactly my first thought. Good call.
there's a little moment in the melody of this song that puts me instantly in mind of something else -- but of course i can't think of what that other thing is.
it's the "fly so high" bit (i think that's the lyric). is this making anyone else have flashbacks to another song?
I was flabbergasted that this was REM. Sounds so much like... Roxy Music maybe?
Keep on with the more obscure album tracks! As always, I love it!
Normally can't stand them, but this one was rather good!
not generally a fan of REM, but i really like this song
:nodhead: me too!
I think this is a great song on a hugely underrated album. I saw Michael and the guys last night in London and it was the best gig I\'ve ever been too. Brilliant REM
Originally Posted by serene23:
This album does not get enough respect. Its perfect relaxing, bedtime music. Chill out REM. I love it. I used to play it at this gift shop I worked at in LA. Everyone said they loved it and actually shopped longer just to hear the whole thing. It takes time to seep in, but if you give it a chance its very subtle and will reward or Reveal its greatness. 
:) 
:D
Good observation. I like the "chill". :) :DThis album does not get enough respect. Its perfect relaxing, bedtime music. Chill out REM. I love it. I used to play it at this gift shop I worked at in LA. Everyone said they loved it and actually shopped longer just to hear the whole thing. It takes time to seep in, but if you give it a chance its very subtle and will reward or Reveal its greatness. :) :D
:) :DOriginally Posted by porlapaz:
AWFUL! This is so bland. Their lyrics have taken a turn for the worse since their height with Automatic for the People. This album is a lot like "UP"- another disappointment. 
I can go with you on the idea that recent R.E.M. albums have not been as strong as in the past. However, I believe you are not giving this cd fair credit. REVEAL certainly is better than the last few cds. I like it more than Monster, Up or the "Man on The Moon" soundtrack.
This song is the best on the cd, to my ears anyway. This song, at least, is one song from REVEAL that credibly updates the "classic" R.E.M. sound to rank with R.E.M.'s best work. Peace.Wow! This song goes really great with my screensaver - it\'s like a multi-media slide show...
AWFUL! This is so bland. Their lyrics have taken a turn for the worse since their height with Automatic for the People. This album is a lot like \"UP\"- another disappointment.
Really nice. 
Okay, I\'ve smacked most recent R.E.M. songs here pretty good (generally the older the better IMHO), but I gotta admit I like this one.
Agree, and I like it!