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R.E.M. — Losing My Religion (live acoustic)
Album:
Avg rating:
7.3

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Total ratings: 414









Released: 0
Length: 4:47
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Oh life, it's bigger
It's bigger than you
And you are not me
The lengths that I will go to
The distance in your eyes
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up

That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

Every whisper
Of every waking hour
I'm choosing my confessions
Trying to keep an eye on you
Like a hurt, lost and blinded fool, fool
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up

Consider this
Consider this, the hint of the century
Consider this, the slip
That brought me to my knees, failed
What if all these fantasies come
Flailing around
Now I've said too much

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

But that was just a dream
That was just a dream

That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

But that was just a dream
Try, cry, why try
That was just a dream
Just a dream
Just a dream, dream
Comments (82)add comment
 acolt wrote:
The thing about Losing My Religion is that there's not much to the song. I feel like it only works with full instrumentation, as it creates a better mood than just acoustic guitar and takes the listener away a bit from the fact that there's not much going on. This acoustic rendition is good, but it's kind of boring compared to the original.
 
You are so right about this. The full instrumentation brings to life the message, the mixture of emotions, internal rhythm, etc that match the words. This version clearly lacks the emphases that can only come out when other instruments accentuate the emotional and conceptual points.
Posted 3 years ago by gleongelpi    [ Reply ]
They are in danger of totally ruining any legacy they have built between 1978 and 1991.{#Sad}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Meh. Yawn
Posted 13 years ago by jitterjames    [ Reply ]
The thing about Losing My Religion is that there's not much to the song. I feel like it only works with full instrumentation, as it creates a better mood than just acoustic guitar and takes the listener away a bit from the fact that there's not much going on. This acoustic rendition is good, but it's kind of boring compared to the original.
Posted 13 years ago by acolt    [ Reply ]
ouch. just because i haven't yet heard the acoustic version 46,000 times doesn't mean i'm not sick of this already..
Posted 13 years ago by floydoftherocks    [ Reply ]
Lost a lot of respect for them when I happened to see them on "Boston Public." Hope the money was good. 
Posted 13 years ago by valerie    [ Reply ]
 Papernapkin wrote:

Ha! It's true, he can't sing. REM songs are so self absorbed.
 
Unlike any other rock band... especially post "Achtung Baby" U2 or anything by Rush. {#Beat}

I'll take Stipe's voice over Dylan's, Jagger's, or Neil Young's any day.  Yeah he's a bit rough on this album, but that's what you get with "Live" music.

Posted 14 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
The best R.E.M is anything before 'Out of Time'. I miss those years...{#Cry}
Posted 14 years ago by shawshank    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
That's me on the stage.
That's me in the spotlight.
Losing my voice.
Trying to sing, when I really can't
 

The campfire doesn't really count as a spotlight, crocky. But I'll take your word for it.
Posted 14 years ago by Bosami    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
That's me on the stage.
That's me in the spotlight.
Losing my voice.
Trying to sing, when I really can't
 
Ha! It's true, he can't sing. REM songs are so self absorbed.
Posted 14 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]

Michael Stipe by *henrimikael
Henri Lassander   ©2008-2010 *henrimikael

Michael Stipe / R.E.M. at Finnair-stadium, Helsinki

September 2008



Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
The true beauty of this song is lost when beaten over the head with it 10,000 times.  This I realized when hearing the live acoustic version.
Posted 14 years ago by lysisphere    [ Reply ]
That's me on the stage.
That's me in the spotlight.
Losing my voice.
Trying to sing, when I really can't
Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
Fast Eddie and I used to play this acoustically. I'd play Buck's mandolin part up the neck on an old Epiphone 12-string. Man, we had fun!
Posted 14 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
That's two 10s in a row with this and the Chris Smither.  Go for the hat trick Bill.

Posted 14 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
{#Daisy}(Reminds me of my youth, and yes it wasnt that long ago that I was a "youth")

Posted 14 years ago by ortallcowgirl    [ Reply ]
Happy Number 50 Michael!
Posted 14 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
finally HATE this one, more the acoustic version {#Headache}

Posted 14 years ago by raga    [ Reply ]
I never understood what other see in this tune / musician, my loss I guess - seems overrated.
Posted 15 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
Nice version, better than the studio one!!
Posted 15 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
superb version they were on Austin city limits here last night great band thanks RP
Posted 15 years ago by tom-kenna    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


This is so good for the ears...  love it...
 
...i like how you roll.

Posted 15 years ago by govna    [ Reply ]
You can't beat the enthusiasm of the lead singer and the quality of this band live
Posted 15 years ago by AdyMiles    [ Reply ]
 vit wrote:
Hay is that Tiny Tim on the lead?
(*runs away)
 
Where'd he go? There he is, he just jumped Mr Wilson's fence...Get Him!
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Four years in Athens, never saw Stipe.  I have always been sad about that.
Posted 15 years ago by viciousfishes    [ Reply ]
Hay is that Tiny Tim on the lead?
(*runs away)
Posted 15 years ago by vit    [ Reply ]
classic great song period
Posted 15 years ago by nochesdad    [ Reply ]
Love It.

Posted 15 years ago by HarrO    [ Reply ]
{#Frustrated}
  Just (temporarily)turned RP on before I went to bed in hope of music. Instead it's the audio from one of those PETA videos where they kill baby animals

Posted 15 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
sounds excentric... â˜…★★★★....

Posted 16 years ago by 2noir    [ Reply ]
Gorgeous mandolin.
Posted 16 years ago by coffee-eyes    [ Reply ]
I often enjoy the "unplugged" versions of the original. However, this one does not cut it.  {#No}
Posted 16 years ago by phoebe    [ Reply ]
Very nice version.
Posted 16 years ago by holborne    [ Reply ]
What a crap version - stick to the original
Posted 16 years ago by Feghoot    [ Reply ]
 Danimal174 wrote:
Yep, you're right. "Losing your religion" is a southern expression about losing your temper and doing or saying things that are "un-Christian". I.E. "President Bush is so stupid, the fact that he was somehow re-elected about made me lose my religion!"
 
Amen, brother! Preach on!

Posted 16 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
I like the song, however it sounds as if Michael Stipe is losing his conviction as well as his religion. Just gonig though the motions

Posted 16 years ago by GINRUSH    [ Reply ]
wishlist wrote:
I thought I heard Stipe say this song (and the term "losing my religion") was about someone losing their temper and not really a song about religion. I believe he said it was either an old southern term or an old afraican-american term - I can't recall.
Yep, you're right. "Losing your religion" is a southern expression about losing your temper and doing or saying things that are "un-Christian". I.E. "President Bush is so stupid, the fact that he was somehow re-elected about made me lose my religion!"
Posted 16 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
Vocal mic sounds really rolled off. I assume the guitar and mandolin are DI. The crowd at the end has more highs than the vocals.
Posted 16 years ago by james_of_tucson    [ Reply ]
Interesting interpretations of the lyrics in this discussion. More on this: (click here) Whatever your understanding, its a great song by a great interpreter (Michael Stipe)...
Posted 16 years ago by macadavy    [ Reply ]
Xeric wrote:
Very nice.
DITTO
Posted 16 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
wishlist wrote:
I thought I heard Stipe say this song (and the term "losing my religion") was about someone losing their temper and not really a song about religion. I believe he said it was either an old southern term or an old afraican-american term - I can't recall.
Actually, this song is about unrequited love....or at least that was the press when it was first released. That makes sense if you listen to it knowing that was how it was written. It doesn't really make sense if you apply the words to actually losing faith in a god-being. Great song...no matter the version or significance to the individual listener.
Posted 16 years ago by joanie    [ Reply ]
Very nice.
Posted 16 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
goose bumps all over....
Posted 16 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
D'ye know - I think these Harmonn Kardon sound sticks must just turn crap to gold cause I'm liking this despite the herd of vitriol rolling over the hill..
Posted 17 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
This is more than boring....
Posted 17 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
I thought I heard Stipe say this song (and the term "losing my religion") was about someone losing their temper and not really a song about religion. I believe he said it was either an old southern term or an old afraican-american term - I can't recall. KSTrillian wrote:
I love the original..but there's a stronger poignancy here without the drums and full-on music. And while yes, this song is about losing actual religion, hearing this version made me think about the greater symbolism: "religion" being anything that guided your life and its loss/your disillusionment. Faith in a person, in love, what have you. All you who hated it, you're entitled to your opinion but I heartily disagree.
Posted 17 years ago by wishlist    [ Reply ]
oh boy. i think i'm one of the biggest REM fans around, but this may be one of those "live acoustic" recordings of something that worked really well in the middle of a concert, surrounded by other music by the same guys, but that doesn't really translate very well to recording and then playback on its own in another setting. my read on this anyway, and i love the original recorded version, band, and album!
Posted 17 years ago by jyoull    [ Reply ]
Never heard before, But I kind of like this acoustic rendition.
Posted 17 years ago by Whirlpool    [ Reply ]
I love the original..but there's a stronger poignancy here without the drums and full-on music. And while yes, this song is about losing actual religion, hearing this version made me think about the greater symbolism: "religion" being anything that guided your life and its loss/your disillusionment. Faith in a person, in love, what have you. All you who hated it, you're entitled to your opinion but I heartily disagree.
Posted 17 years ago by KSTrillian    [ Reply ]
Ziller wrote:
God what a friggin whiner! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh shut up!!
Usually, I would fully agree. Michael Stipe's whining makes me want to die. But somehow, in this version he actually sounds semi-decent, and the whining is down to a bare minimum. I'm impressed! Sounds soooo much better than the studio version.
Posted 17 years ago by musikalia    [ Reply ]
Nice! Never heard this version.
Posted 17 years ago by Ubaldo    [ Reply ]
kind of drags.
Posted 17 years ago by sonofpick    [ Reply ]
WOW! I'd never heard this version before!
Posted 20 years ago by oakenguy    [ Reply ]
I'm baffled by the people that crushed this ...if I was in a band and one of the members came to me and said- hey I wrote this song , check it out, and then perfomed it as is here in all it's starkness...I would be floored! What a great song! no production to hide behind...just the song. I'm no enemy of production either, but sometimes hearing a song of this caliber naked can show in a profound way just how great it is. this gets a 10 from me. :P
Posted 20 years ago by toastee    [ Reply ]
tomnam wrote:
It's always nice to hear Mr. Stipe enunciate. Good tune, nice mandolin.
:nodhead: :highfive:
Posted 20 years ago by philarktos    [ Reply ]
Great song...decent version....nice change of pace.
Posted 21 years ago by funkaholic    [ Reply ]
This has got to be one of the worst songs in the known universe. God what a friggin whiner! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh shut up!!
Posted 21 years ago by Ziller    [ Reply ]
Lacks the kick of the normal version, not bad though
Posted 21 years ago by Waltz    [ Reply ]
I think this is really great. I love the mandolin. Stipe\'s vocals are solid.
Posted 21 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by bad_moon74: Sometimes Stipe delivers nice vocals. Not here.
Yes indeed. Kinda depressed without being plaintive or poignant. Not as good at the slightly less acoustic original.
Posted 21 years ago by stubbsz    [ Reply ]
That is correct. WB sucked the life out of this band.
Originally Posted by dmax: Post IRS label REM sux. Pre WB label REM roolz.
Posted 21 years ago by dignan2    [ Reply ]
I don\'t think I\'ve ever heard Radio Free Europe here on RP. I\'d like to. This version is OK.
Posted 21 years ago by bakedjake    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Art_Carnage: An example of how some groups should NEVER unplug.
Are there any electronics on the studio version? I seem to recall that the original is pretty acoustic to begin with. Maybe someone is playing electric bass, but that's about it, I think.
Posted 21 years ago by Shimmer    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Art_Carnage: An example of how some groups should NEVER unplug.
At some point the "unplugged" trend got so big, that I was expecting a reaction called "plugged" anytime! Even Bob Dylan, who in the sixties was condempt by the folkies because he started playing electric guitar, got "unplugged"!
Posted 21 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
An example of how some groups should NEVER unplug.
Posted 21 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by mbond: I love this song! Anybody know what album this live version comes from? The little Amazon link doesn't find anything.
I'm pretty sure that it's from MTV Unplugged (the first time they were on it '91?) which they never released as an album. A bootleg CD exists with about an hour of MTV Unplugged material and some other stuff. I played my copy of this at the same time as listening to RadioParadise and they sure sound alike. I'm sure the MP3's of this disc are floating around somewhere... www.murmurs.com has a "tape" trading section you could check out.
Posted 21 years ago by amitz    [ Reply ]
great version
Posted 21 years ago by Revel    [ Reply ]
I kept thinking all the way through this that I was going to say I preferred the studio version. But the longer I heard the voice, the mandolin, and the soft harmonies blending together, the more this won me over.
Posted 21 years ago by Wallyman    [ Reply ]
Nice version. Very intimate sounding with the small audience.
Posted 22 years ago by jeremyleo    [ Reply ]
It\'s always nice to hear Mr. Stipe enunciate. Good tune, nice mandolin.
Posted 22 years ago by tomnam    [ Reply ]