Hi everyone! I was watching Roadmovie and I noticed that Michael sounds as if he is singing something completely different to the original second chorus on the album (which I don't understand even though I have the lyrics. Can someone please tell me what it really is because it is really annoying me.I have 2 sets of lyrics for it. One starts: "High on the roof, thin the blood..." The other says: "High on the booze, in a tent, paved with blood, nine inch howl, brave the night, chopper comin in, you hope" As you can see, they are quite different! Which(if either)is right?

-- MATT P (phelpsyboy@yahoo.co.uk), July 10, 2000

Answers

I have no idea if that's right or not. When I used to listen to REM a lot, I pretty much made up my own words to sing along to Stipe's mumblings. I'll mumble for ya....

I remember reading (again: this is dated info, back when I was in high school and in the fan club, etc. think 1980's) that the majority of the time, Stipe never actually wrote down the lyrics to his songs. Or memorized them. So, often, you would memorize one version from the tapes (ooh, I'm dating myself again) and then in a live show, he would sing something totally different, because HE HAS NO IDEA WHAT THE WORDS ACTUALLY ARE.

I don't even think he remembers the majority of lyrics from Murmur. When I saw them in '89, half of the words were off. But who am I to judge? It was still a really good show. Even if they never did come back.

If you want to see a good old documentary, rent Athens, Ga: Inside Out. I think that's the name of it. They do a really good cover of an old Everly Bros. song. Also, you get to see Buck in his pajamas. Always fun.

-- erin (psytech@prysm.net), July 10, 2000.

hey Matt

Just checked the old roadmovie, and i'm quite sure its 'high on the roof, thin the blood...'. THis is also the lyrics used on green I've never heard or read the other version you said. PLus think 'booze' is actually british slang, so i wouldn't expect stipe using it.

hope that helps

-- Amit B (amitb84@hotmail.com), July 10, 2000.

I would help you, but I havn't got Roadmovie, yet

-- Thomas Tefcke Pedersen (tomtp_tefcke@hotmail.com), July 15, 2000.

Ah, Come on - booze isnt just british slang... words travel.

Anyway, I dont know if Michael actually sang those words on Roadmovie - and I'm not about to go searching for it right this minute, but on the documentary "Rough-cut", part of it films REM during rehearsal for one of the concerts on the Monster/Aneurysm Tour '95, and one of the songs they were rehearsing was Orange Crush. And - this may help - Michael was trying to remember the lyrics. He even started singing words from Begin the Begin, off Lifes Rich Pageant, at one point during the song!

A thing to be careful of, though, is that, Although they are all REM songs, they've written hundreds (perhaps more) , and its hard to remember the words to them all, and be able to play them at the drop of a hat. Even the best of musicians have to practice occasionally - same as even the most mediocre musician, you know? And REM are no exception. And I'm sure michael has better things to do with his time than sit down reading his old song-lyrics everyday, and learning them over.

And one of the reasons Peter gave for NOT touring last year, before they eventually did, was that he didn't want to have to rehearse with new musicians, and learn all the old stuff, again and try to teach it to someone. It was too much hassle - and then to go out on the road for 6 months, or so. It just wouldnt have been worth it... - Or so he thought at the time.

So, It is possibbl that michael sang different lyrics on Orange Crush, and what harm if he did? Even Bill said at the time that they had to go out and buy REM song-books, because they had a little difficulty remembering chords and lyrics in places.

And they hadn't toured in 5 years, so... I guess to answer your question (finally...), the lyrics he sings on the Green album are correct. (Incidently, the song Orange Crush holds a special place in my heart as being the first REM song that made me recognise REM as being REM. I was only 10 at the time, and had just started listening to music, and , well... I just think theyre the best band on the planet! I really do. And even if nobody on this earth thinks that - which is not the case, but how-and-ever - I'm happy cos REM makes me happy, and I'm happy because I KNOW that they ARE the Best Band on the planet!

Bye,Bye

-- phons (phonzerelli@yahoo.com), July 18, 2000.