All that Intensity backstage and that jug of orange juice in the beggining makes it obvious they were on psychedelics. mushrooms perhaps? and on stage theyre way more relaxed and comfortable then they would normally be in the beggining.
played this on this week's webcast since it's on the reissued "Fables" CD. so damn good. great capture of the energy and creativity of the time. Athens must have been an amazing place to be.
This is the rarest gem in the R.E.M. collection. That's saying a lot since R.E.M.s work rises above anything offered by most other bands. Actually, searched this song/video since Fables is my favorite album of all time and this is my all-time fav song ... ever.
@Echobuns For many, many years this song was my favorite REM song as well. It's fun to read that others had the same opinion of a song not well known. For my life of loving R.E.M. (since playing Green on a college radio station), this song, I Believe and Letter Never Sent are probably my all time favorites.
Wow this brings back memory trails - I saw them on Green tour in Philly ('91?)& yelled for this song & did not hear it - went to Rich., VA next night and THEY PLAYED IT! Sorry just had to tell someone. Bye bye.
because current songwriters are idiots, this song was written about a man who had to sides to his house with a wall in the middle and when he got bored with one he would go to the other. when he died they found in the wall a ton of his self published books and one of them was titled "life and how to live it".
Life and How to Live It. Anyone have more of vintage REM doing their IRS songs? Story behind this song typical elliptical Stipe lyrics about something he found in real life. Made a great song from something obscure.
Great song...REM in the 80s ingored and underestimated. "Life and How to Live It" strange tale of the origin of this song and very sell put into a song by REM. Read "It Crawled From the South" to find the very interesting origin of this amazing song.
I love this song and this early video of it. Read "It Crawled from the South" and you will find how this song lyric came about. Stipe was a brilliant song writer.
All that Intensity backstage and that jug of orange juice in the beggining makes it obvious they were on psychedelics. mushrooms perhaps? and on stage theyre way more relaxed and comfortable then they would normally be in the beggining.
Psychedelic925 1 year ago
Comment removed
Psychedelic925 1 year ago
perfect in every way, guitar, drums, bass, vocals, subject matter
drmacman101 1 year ago
Fave all time REM song. Saw this tour in Omaha. Too bad they sold out. Pure genius
lopergrad 1 year ago
Best live song from them back in the 80's The crowd would go wild.
JLDB1987 1 year ago
REM is good getting drunk to music!!
pucksterz12 1 year ago
played this on this week's webcast since it's on the reissued "Fables" CD. so damn good. great capture of the energy and creativity of the time. Athens must have been an amazing place to be.
emmbee 1 year ago
my all-time favourite REM song. TImeless classic, perfect in every way.
mrbollocks1979 1 year ago 2
this was probably my anthem for the whole 80-90 decade, and then forgotten, until now :) thanks REM and utahwrx
mouser98k 2 years ago
thanks Utahwrx for this and others songs you posted
rigi63 2 years ago
Sorry fresh!
Noeladishi 2 years ago
You just cant bored of rems early work, Its amazing to hear the early work of one of the greatest bands in history. It sound so freah.
Noeladishi 2 years ago 2
Very cool video! Thanks.
BuddyKatt 2 years ago
I love this album so much. I still love it..and I bought it when it came out!
allanosterm 2 years ago
One of their best songs!!! Peter's intro is really great!
FelisSilvestris27 2 years ago 4
damn their awesome!
codern 3 years ago 5
This is the rarest gem in the R.E.M. collection. That's saying a lot since R.E.M.s work rises above anything offered by most other bands. Actually, searched this song/video since Fables is my favorite album of all time and this is my all-time fav song ... ever.
Echobuns 3 years ago 18
I agree. There is an amazing, joyous energy to this song.
monkeys37 3 years ago 3
Amen.
jjpme92un 3 years ago 2
@Echobuns For many, many years this song was my favorite REM song as well. It's fun to read that others had the same opinion of a song not well known. For my life of loving R.E.M. (since playing Green on a college radio station), this song, I Believe and Letter Never Sent are probably my all time favorites.
HOGEFAN 1 year ago
Wow this brings back memory trails - I saw them on Green tour in Philly ('91?)& yelled for this song & did not hear it - went to Rich., VA next night and THEY PLAYED IT! Sorry just had to tell someone. Bye bye.
jjpme92un 3 years ago 3
Play it loud : )
umbrasleeps 4 years ago
Best band. I love this song. Really great. Thanks !
biglice33 4 years ago 2
IM BEN A r.Em FAN FROM THE 1982 I LOVE THIS GUYS
7775carlg 4 years ago
Peter's guitarwork on this song is amazing. This is one of my favorite intro's from him. It's so beautiful.
robin14669 4 years ago 8
Thank you so much for posting this!! "Life and How to Live It!" R.E.M. the greatest band from the U.S.A.!
Ruda59 4 years ago 3
Why don't current song writers write lyrics like this? Interesting and different. Original lyrics seem to be lacking these days.
Ruda59 4 years ago 2
because current songwriters are idiots, this song was written about a man who had to sides to his house with a wall in the middle and when he got bored with one he would go to the other. when he died they found in the wall a ton of his self published books and one of them was titled "life and how to live it".
incinoman 4 years ago
the mans name was brivs mekis
incinoman 4 years ago
Well actually Michael said they were all the same books. ALL titled Life and How to Live it.
thejonranhuff 3 years ago
Hey who's the writer of the book "It Crawled from the Sounth"???
I think I must order it from abroad cause I won't be able to find it here in Greece...
Goss how I hate this!!!
solidsn2004 4 years ago
Life and How to Live It. Anyone have more of vintage REM doing their IRS songs? Story behind this song typical elliptical Stipe lyrics about something he found in real life. Made a great song from something obscure.
Ruda59 5 years ago
Great song...REM in the 80s ingored and underestimated. "Life and How to Live It" strange tale of the origin of this song and very sell put into a song by REM. Read "It Crawled From the South" to find the very interesting origin of this amazing song.
Ruda59 5 years ago
I read 'It Crawled from the South'when I was 14 and haven't looked back since, great biography! And a great song/video!!
Steve31000 5 years ago
I love this song and this early video of it. Read "It Crawled from the South" and you will find how this song lyric came about. Stipe was a brilliant song writer.
Ruda59 5 years ago
This is my favorite REM song, thanks for posting this.
Mooshpups 5 years ago
sweet homespun sincerity...served with a serious southern snarl. majestic. savage. yes.
almadora 5 years ago