I was thinking today about how everybody is being hurt by the reckless actions of the right wing extremist Tea Party and decided to feature “Everybody Hurts” in my Two’Fer Tuesday post. First up is an amazing performance of the song by the Corrs followed by REM’s original version. Enjoy…….
The Corrs Unplugged
REM
REM Live
In my continuing effort to make up for all of the political posts I have made you read over the last two weeks, tonight I’m offering up a double shot of REM unplugged. One from 1991, one from 2001, and both absolutely wonderful. Enjoy…..
REM Unplugged (MTV 4/10/1991)
REM Unplugged #2 (2001) – Sorry about the advertisement at the beginning of the show!
If you listened to the 1991 unplugged show you might have noticed the band playing the official theme song of tonight’s Government Shutdown drama……It’s The End Of The World As We Know It.
So this is a song that isn’t liked by REM or their fans but….. I really could care less. It’s a great song because it makes me smile.
According to Songfacts the song is supposedly about a very serious topic….
The title and chorus are based on a Chinese propaganda poster. The slogan “Shiny happy people holding hands” is used ironically – the song was released in 1991, 2 years after the Tiananmen Square uprising when the Chinese government clamped down on student demonstrators, killing hundreds of them.
I can’t believe I am saying this but….. I don’t care because this song makes very happy.
Let’s listen to the whole song so you can enjoy the great riff. Try not to smile and pogo while you listen, I dare you…….
Today’s song was recorded by REM for their fan club. It is a toss off kind of song but I kind of like it. See what you think….
Your special surprise gift today is an REM parody of their song Shiny Happy People. The parody was performed with the Sesame Street muppet and is guaranteed to make you smile.
Now tell me the truth, aren’t you happy that Mitt Romney did not get to kill Big Bird and the rest of his Sesame Street buddies! Just saying that makes me happy!
So happy that I have another Sesame Street video for you. This one features the Goo Goo Dolls performing a parody of their song Slide with Elmo.
Today’s word of the week is “Happy”. You might be asking yourself why. Well the answer is that I am happy that the election is almost here. To be absolutely honest, the whole process has exhausted me. I feel passionate about the issues and have tried to do my share through this blog but there are just not enough hours in the day to take care of my family responsibilities, do my job that pays the bills, write about the election issues, and try to provide enough music posts to keep my core audience entertained. I need a break…..
So…..I am happy that soon I will be able to get back to thinking about music with my free time. Until then, I have some “Happy” songs for you. The range of these songs is huge. It starts with my favorite REM song which always makes me so happy that I have to move. It ends with a song by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans that makes me happy because it reminds me of my carefree childhood back in the 50s and early 60s. In the middle are songs from a diverse series of bands including the Turtles, Iron Butterfly, and Blood Sweat and Tears. I hope you take time to enjoy the music as you start your weekend.
Shiny Happy People – REM (with Kate Pierson) – My favorite REM song!!!!
Happy Together – The Turtles
You’ve Made Me So Very Happy – Blood Sweat and Tears
Are You Happy – Iron Butterfly (Fillmore East 1968)
Happy Trails – Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin’ until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we’re together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to you, ’till we meet again.Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It’s the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here’s a happy one for you.Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin’ until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we’re together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.Happy trails to you, ’till we meet again.
I hope you have a great weekend. Don’t forget about our fellow citizens in the Northeast that are struggling! Happy trails to all of you………
thebestmusicyouhaveneverheard 