Individual album polls are done, so let’s settle the big question: What’s the best overall song? There was only one album with a tie vote for the top spot (Dead Letter Office), so both of the top songs from that one will be included in the poll. For me, it was a tough choice between “Radio Free Europe”, “Fall On Me” and “Nightswimming”, but I went with the latter in the end (though I really feel “Fall On Me” is the most representative of what makes them great, I love “Nightswimming” more if I’m being completely honest with myself). What say you?
“Fall on Me” is my favorite.
As (I think) I stated in the Automatic for the People thread, Nightswimming has my votes for one of the greatest songs of all time, so this one is pretty easy to call.
Losing My Religion followed by Bang and Blame.
Sitting Still
I wish I could figure out the lyrics though.
A lot of my favorite REM songs aren’t up there, but of the batch, boy do I love me some Driver 8!!!
Thanks for running this poll, and for sticking with it even through the Berryless age. And dopers, thanks for not voting The One I Love or Shiny Happy People to the top.
I picked Losing My Religion, but their best is Shiny Happy People
Not one of the poll options, but these are the lyrics I use when I sing along (bear in mind they still don’t make sense):
This name I’ve got got we all agree
Secret stop, stop it well-read
We could bind it in the cyst (scythe?)
We could gather throw a fit
Up to par and Katie bars
the kitchen sides but not me in
Sitting trial for the big kill
Wasting time, sitting still
I’m the sign and you can read
I’m the sign and you’re not deaf…
I can hear you
You can gather when I talk
Talk until you’re blue
You could get away from me
I can hear you
Can you hear me?
I don’t have any dog in this poll, but why does it lack “Everybody Hurts” ?
Forget “Everybody hurts”, where on earth is “E-bow the letter”?
I did polls for the best songs on each individual album, and these were the highest scoring songs.
I dont understand the world at times…
I know, right? No Man on the Moon either. Oh well, End of the World is an option, at least.
R.E.M. is a hot and cold band. I LOVE a LOT of their stuff, but on a percentage basis, it’s about 20% of what they produce…the other 80%? I can’t friggen STAND.
B-52’s and They Might Be Giants in varying percentages are similar.
I was hoping this would be a best album poll. Either way, I can’t really pick just one.
Thanks! I’ll have to listen to it later to see if you’re any closer than the other versions I’ve seen. On a side note, I remember reading somewhere the Stipe himself doesn’t even know the original lyrics as he kind of winged part of it with random words during the recording.
That was gonna be my vote, until I shockingly realized it was omitted. I guess Losing my religion is their “2nd best song,” and best on this list IMO.
None of their records brought me as much happiness (or, for that matter, drove me to the guitar to figure out a lick quite as often) as Murmur, so that’s where I voted. For that matter, the '83 show was the best I saw them play. Was that 27 years ago? Ye gods.
I like “Orange Crush” because its a drink *and *a song.
Went with Fall on Me, because it’s perfect. IMHO.