REM - When I Was Young rare track 1985 (audio)

[VAThrasher]

Hey heads up, a reissue of Reconstruction is coming out July 13th and it will have a demo version of this song/i believe entitled "throw those trolls away". i'm looking forward to hearing it. thanks for posting this.

[leugbol]

@VAThrasher Ohhhh yes yes!! I can't wait!

[michaelstipefan777]

im guessing this is supposed to be I believe in an early stage

[BushmenKing]

I Believe is one of my favorite REM track, so I'm actually glad they abandoned this.

[sashwap]

@BushmenKing that's an excellent point; "i believe" is a big favorite of mine as well. this song does rock, though.

[sashwap]

it's pretty clear why they abandoned this song -- even though the musical aspect is GREAT, the vocal melody just isn't there. stipe's chorus is stillborn, mills steps up with the backing vocals to hold it together, but his part is, in turn, kinda cheesy.

i still hope they release a studio version someday :)

[sashwap]

@sashwap ha, i don't remember writing this. i like the song a lot more now, it seems.

[qba5775]

I still rather like 'I Believe' the way it is altough THIS stuff is much more powerful and damn me, what a disco bassline! Just imagine Mike bouncin' 'round with his shitty purple axe all stage long...!

But, what really turns me on, is that opening riff to the following song=D So does anyone have Little America from this show?

[danbit5]

cuyahoga i think on lifes rich paegant,uses the same line i think:)

[fallandbounce]

Ha! This is from a tape l recorded at the Providence show (Pembroke Field, Brown U.) in March of '85... l think l still have the original. The distortion always bothered me, l wish l knew more about audio then... l made a couple of copies for friends, but never tried to sell any. Funny. Small world....

[REMchout]

nice...those bootlegs spread around lots through the years, i've been waiting to hear from someone who actually recorded one!

[fallandbounce]

l recorded the Oct. '84 show at the VMA in Providence (too echoey, from the 2nd balcony) and the August '85 Leroy Theater show (Pawtucket, RI), as well... l wish l did more from that era.... l should go through the collection and transfer them to cd, so l can share them on here...

[TIAN392257]

Classic gold from such a great band..no shock to me they are already in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Bill Berry will always be the fourth member of the band. Stipe for President 2008!

[sashwap]

annoying that they haven't released the studio version. not a brilliant song, but fits nicely within their early work.

[kgillum]

This sounds like it became "I Believe" on the "Life's Rich Pageant" album. Great stuff. I miss the old R.E.M. :)

[Podle]

I was thinking that when I saw the title. It definitely changed between this recording and the studio take!

[mooseperson]

this is pretty good

[iscistim]

why do rem keep this stuff quiet? this is really good.

[remnicolas]

if this is on a bootleg do you know which one? Once again thanks for this amazing stuff!

[REMdave]

This is on the R.E.M. 'Welcome To The Hoedown' bootleg CD.

[irishfred]

Great find. That's good stuff...

Anyone have the old song "rain" that was the precursor for "fall on me"? You can still hear the original lyrics in the background on the studio version. "rain... watch the children, rain... hide the statues in the park..."

[remnicolas]

i think the live version of fall on me from the rockpalast show in 1985 might be that version. I remember those lyrics from somewhere.

[REMdave]

Sounds like you mean the version on the 'These Days' bootleg CD (recorded 29/10/85 at Hammersmith Palais, London, England)

[atomeyes99]

you have Chicken Coop live?

[BushInJail]

For about 5 or 6 years the greatest band on the planet. I was lucky to live in Athens back then.

[mike97654321]

I have to give it a solid meh! They did better stuff, i don't know maybe it's the sound quality, that i have been spoiled on... Wait the vocal's are what bring it down, instramentaly not bad

[didiroesler]

a revelation!! where did you get that stuff???

[Jammerkevin]

I'm very impressed... Any more tid bits? Keep it up!!!

[deliverthegoods18]

Bloody hell,you've done superb to dig this up!Cheers for sharing it.

[jwire1977]

It was supposed to be on Fables Of The Reconstruction in 1985, and it was performed at a number of shows before its release. It's also listed on the artwork for Fables.

[stv23]

wow that's an eye opener. iv'e never heard it before but like dcfcina said, it's obviously the embrio of I believe.

[dcfcinla]

When I was young and full of grace

and spirited--a rattlesnake.

When I was young and fever fell

My spirit, I will not tell

You're on your honor not to tell

[dayer4b]

yes! exactly

[blowmonkey]

This is awesome I can hear the song and the melody forming. Thank you again.

[a1950hotrodcat]

Your library is truly amazing and reminds us how great of a band they were thru 1987.