Since I was struggling to come up with an idea for my next poll, I checked the book Chase's Calendar of Events for inspiration. When I found out that Michael Stipe turned 49 on January 4th, my dilemma was solved. Instead of doing a birthday post for the lead singer of R.E.M., I decided to ask you to choose your favorite song(s) from their catalog. Since deciding on a favorite song by an artist is about as difficult as a Lost cast member avoiding a DUI charge, you can select more than one R.E.M. tune in the poll.
Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange
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Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange
2124 W.82nd Place
Chicago
1 week ago
15 comments:
Definitely hard to choose just one, in fact I say impossible, you just cant like just one song.
What kind of geek am I? I have to confess that I can't name a single REM song. I can identify their sound easily enough, but I don't know their songs. Several years ago, when I was working in downtown Toronto, they played a free concert on Yonge St. I could see it out the window of our office and sort of hear it too. But geez man, I just don't know their songs.
Dang that was hard...so many good songs by them..until their more recent days.
That's me in the corner, that's me in the spot light!
"At Your Most Beautiful" is my favorite.
What's the frequency Malcolm?! I also love the song on the same album called "Orange Krush". I just love them, period!
About the song:
CBS News anchor Dan Rather, renowned for his unusual expressions and sayings, has led a colorful life. However, one bizarre event really takes the cake.
One night in October 1986, Rather was walking down a Manhattan street when he was punched from behind and thrown to the ground. His assailant kicked and beat him while repeating, "Kenneth, what is the frequency?"
No one could explain the event, and the rumors flew fast and wide. Some speculated the assailant was a KGB agent, while others claimed the attack was the work of a jealous husband. Rather himself couldn't shed any light on the subject. His explanation at the time?
I got mugged. Who understands these things? I didn't and I don't now. I didn't make a lot of it at the time and I don't now. I wish I knew who did it and why, but I have no idea.
Apparently the strange event moved R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe, who said of the incident:
It remains the premier unsolved American surrealist act of the 20th century. It's a misunderstanding that was scarily random, media hyped and just plain bizarre.
The attack inspired the 1994 R.E.M. hit "What's the Frequency, Kenneth." Being a good sport, Dan Rather even accompanied the band when they performed the song on a Late Show with David Letterman appearance.
In 1997, based on a tip from a psychiatrist, Rather's attacker was identified as William Tager. According to the psychiatrist, Tager, who was currently serving time for killing an NBC stagehand, blamed news media for beaming signals into his head, and thought if he could just find out the correct frequency, he could block those signals that were constantly assailing him. Hence the enigmatic inquiry.
Clnmike: I find my list of "favorites" (be it song, movie, or TV show) changing on a regular basis.
Mister Anchovy: That would have been cool to attend a free R.E.M. show. Although I had to pay to see them back in 1995, it was money well spent.
The Mistress of the D: You can say that again. I thought about listing album tracks such as "Near Wild Heaven" and "Disturbance At the Heron House", but I had to draw the line somewhere. I figured the "Other" option would take care of those and other songs not listed by title in the poll.
Pjazzy: "Losing My Religion" is easily one of my favorite R.E.M. songs. When we saw them in 1995, it was about midway through the concert and they hadn't performed it yet. Me and my friends started chanting the title. Although I know our chanting had nothing to do with it, they performed it towards the end of the show.
Red: I hadn't heard "At Your Most Beautiful" until just now when I found the clip on You Tube. I like it... esp. the drumming.
Candy: The song "Orange Crush" is on the album titled "Green". However, the album that contains "What's the Frequency Kenneth?" (Monster) does have a song titled "Crush With Eyeliner". Is that the song you were referring to?
Even after all this time, the story surrounding "What's the Frequency Kenneth?" is still freaky.
I like "The Great Beyond."
That was a hard poll! It was very hard for me to choose...but I did. LOL
That's for asking about me. I got caught up in the holidays and I've been trying to get my high school classmates on Facebook AND I got XBox 360 with Guitar Hero World Tour for Christmas! I've been busy...but it's a good busy!
I hope your holidays were good!
I haven't really thought about it much, but I'd have to say it's either "Begin the Begin" or "Radio Song."
Yes, "Crush With Eyeliner" is the song I meant...it's been about ten years since I listened to the whole album ha ha!
Hey...Malcolm, is Thursday Thirteen disbanded? Did I miss n announcment or is it just gone?
Jessica: Thanks for sharing your "other" favorite. :-)
Since I wasn't familiar with "The Great Beyond", I found it on You Tube and am listening to it now. I like it.
Kristi: It's often difficult for most (me included) to choose a
favorite song by an artist. I'm glad that you are back blogging again. I sometimes go on "Facebook binges" so I can relate to what you mentioned on your blog about the site.
BeckEye: I actually thought about including Radio Song in the poll. I had the album "Out of Time" on cassette back when it first came out. Since I never replaced it when I upgraded to CD, I've periodically been purchasing via Napster some of my favorite tracks on the album.
Candy: Thanks for confirming the R.E.M. song in question. Unfortunately, Thursday Thirteen is no more. I don't know if there was any official word that it was being disbanded. When I tried to visit the site a couple of weeks ago, I was either getting a "Page Not Found" type of message or I was taken to a site that sells domanin names.
Hey...I found a new site for Thursday Thirteen. Still some familiar faces participating. I don't know what happened but some folks are still participating...link at my blog!
http://gnosticminx.blogspot.com/2009/01/make-it-rain-13-songs-about-money.html
Orange Crush!
Candy: Thanks for letting me know about the new T13 site. I will try to participate this week.
Megan: I don't know how I forgot to include "Orange Crush" in the poll. Thanks for taking part.
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