Man I remember the first time I heard this song, I thought it was awesome! Bought the album immediately. I hear this today and I still feel the same way. Good music will do that.
Noticed this CD at a yard sale a couple weeks ago in a $1 bin. I thought "eh, what the heck, it's R.E.M, maybe it'll be good". Pulled out a dollar, got to the car and popped the CD in...
How about this reaction...R.E.M. is a band uncompromised by the crap music coming out in the 80"s....These guys worked hard on their sound and it paid off big!!! I can't even name a song they did that I don't appreciate.....
I'm not a fan of rock music, or alternative for that matter, although I can't help but appreciate songs and lyrics like these. I wish people stopped arguing about how one genre is better then another, and just realized that music is an art form that can be expressed in different ways.
One of REM's best hard-rocking songs. They'll be missed, but I wonder if they'll do a reunion tour in five or ten years? It wouldn't shock me.
And to the poster: fair use is a pretty complicated legal issue, and 'in your face government! haha' tells me you don't understand it. In posting this, you aren't defying the government, you are defying the owner of the copyright. So 'in your face REM! haha' would be more accurate, if you insist on taunting the owners of the song.
This proves that these boys can ROCK. Why can't they do it more often. I've never been more disappointed with a band not being able to fulfil their true destiny. They could have taken this song even further and really beefed it up and rocked it out (but they didn't). CORPORATE SELL OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?
@andreaneilcmc Perhaps this is the version of the song REM wanted to make...since they're the band...and you're not...their "potential" is what they define it being, not you. REM is far from a corporate sell out, LOL.
With all due respect, I'm sure REM would have been a much better band if they had remained with a minor label. I'm sure they would have had more artistic freedom. But at least they got the cash.
@grantdrummond It is. From Wikipedia: A 'radio edit' version of the song was mixed and marketed (through mainly promotional release) due to use of the phrase "don’t fuck with me" in the original album recording. The 12" and maxi-single releases of the single both feature the radio edit, whereas the 7", CD single and cassette release of the single feature the uncensored album version.
Amo esta canción, es como si me conquistara una joven y bella mujer (un club nocturno)... en una etapa fea de mi existencia y este sol llegara con esta música y su presencia... a llenar tanto vacio y pena de mi corazón... Es un tema romántico, genial y profundo para amarse y sentirse con PASIÓN......- y algo mas.- ESO.-
Even the '90s were so much simpler and better than now.Facebook,Blackberrys, reality TV and all that BS has really messed things up even more.People get more self absorbed,lazy and stupid.You can't find too many awesome songs coming out nowadays.This one rocks.
"You wore a shirt of violent green" is way better than "you want to shout violent things," which is what I used to think it was. Thank you, internet lyrics, for finally teaching me what Michael Stipe was saying!
The song slows down slightly towards the end (from an original tempo of 96 BPM down to 94 BPM) as bassist Mike Mills was in severe pain and slowed his playing. Mills was taken to the hospital and it was discovered he had appendicitis, which disrupted parts of the 1995 Monster tour (resulting in dates between 10 July, 1995 and 20 July, 1995 to be cancelled). R.E.M. never got around to re-recording the song.
@Kingkidkira your lexicon is perplexing . can you please use monosyllabic language , you see i'm an *AMERIKKKAN dumbass . i believe proper englishmen use the word "fag" to describe a cigarette . i am not from england ..why did you just call me a cigarette ?! and , judjing by your ,poor , limited vocabulary , you are a very angry TROLL !!! PWND ! YOUR BREATH STINKS !WHITE TRASH .! STRAIGHT ! HAHAHA...FUCKIN' A DUDE .STRAIGHT !!
@beats1969 now it shows your fucking stupid I'm american to and there would no point calling you a cigarette when I meant fag I meant that you were gay dumbass. and poor limited vocabulary? dude I just don't want to spend my days talking to you. and Iknow your trying to hit on me but your barking up the wrong tree. oh and go suck a dick
@clone63742 you don't need to worry about that they tried and failed, they can't take it down because of the fair use act :) in your face government! haha
@imagination43 If you managed to get this allowed under fair use then fair play to you, that's a tricky can of worms to open when it comes to music. However, if successful, it leaves us with quality tracks like this on youtube.
@imagination43 don't mean to split hairs here, but wouldn't any fair use act working in your favour be more of a 'in your face, greedy music company; yay, gov't'? btw, thx fer uploading and fighting to keep this song up
You begin pummeling the man with your fists, screaming "What's the frequency, Kenneth?" over and over as you do so.
After your arms get tired, you leave the alley, wondering what came over you. You consider it for a few minutes, then lose interest because you see something shiny in the gutter. Guess it'll remain a mystery.
REM had such an incredible run of albums from Document to Monster. One of, I would say, the best 20 bands ever, easily. Just consistantly producing quality work and doing it on their own terms.
the album cover looks just like my girlfriends cat, bob. bob's named after codename bob. bet you can't guess what that is. ( clue ; it's another rem album). I love this song!!!
the album cover looks just like my girlfriends cat BOB. Bob's named after code name bob, guess what that is. (Clue it's the name of another rem album)
the album cover looks just like my girlfriends cat BOB. Bob's named after code name bob, guess what that is. (Clue it's the name of another rem album)
Ok, this song WAS written about a subway attack on Dan Rather in 1986....One of the men who attacked him (William Tager) was arrested later for a murder he commited in 1996. Interesting.....Thanks savajostac, I didn't know all of that.
Am I the only one that thinks the album cover is one of those illusions? You know the ones that, if you stare at it long enough, look away and blink, you'll see that image?
see these guys many moons ago pure quality , still play this full volume everytime i hear it. the kids think im mad, little do they know. enjoy u only live the once.
William Tager (born November 9, 1947) is a Charlotte, North Carolina man who assaulted television journalist and newsreader Dan Rather and later murdered Campbell Montgomery because of his belief that television networks were watching him and sending him signals.
I remember seeing the video for this on MTV a lot back in the very early part of 1995. My father had bought a closed captioned TV shortly before then. I remember watching a bunch of videos on MTV with closed captions, including the one for this song.
The guy who jumped Rather thought that Rather was himself from the future (like 500 yrs or so) and he was trying to get the frequency from "himself" on a "special radio" which would transport him back to where he (the guy doing the attacking) belonged--in the future. He thought he was attacking himself. Schizophrenia is a wonderful thing. Amazingly, The man is now locked up for killing a NBC (not CBS, Rathers former employer) employee.
Who cares wot their singin about? Michael Stipe has one of the most amazing voices and the whole sound as with all other REM songs is fantastic.. interpretation is in the ears of the listener
Hands down the coolest REM song - the best part starts around 2:00 and reminds me of why i found them to be so different to listen to. GREAT stuff.... The song is true to its album's name - monstrous !
My first name is Kenneth and I vaguely know the story of Mr Rather, but that is cool you know so much about this song,no , really, it is cool , really I mean it ,really I do.
For over 20 years now, I´ve never figured out what REM's lyrics were supposed to mean. probably just "poetry". But great music anyway, and this is the opening song from their greatest album! :)
This song is about the assualt on Dan Rather while Dan was waiting for a Subway train in N.Y.
The Psyco that jumped on Mr Rather kept asking Dan Rather "Whats the Frequency Kenneth" while continuously beating on Rather face ,,,,,True story ,,,you can Google it if you want. Dan rather is the one who coined the phrase that "Irony was the shackles of youth",,,,,,,,,,,,
@savajostac You're an idiot. The song is about Rather's tour as a reporter in Vietnam. His radio man was shot in the head and Rather was caught on film asking the dying man, "What's the frequency Kenneth?" Over and over. Weird and chilling.
@kskshghg It refers to an incident in New York City in 1986, where news anchor Dan Rather was the victim of an unprovoked attack by one or two assailants who, between beatings, would ask, "what's the frequency, Kenneth?" (although the phrase Dan Rather says he actually heard was, "Kenneth, what is the frequency?"). One of the assailants has been since identified as William Tager, who attacked Rather because he thought the media had taken control of him. smooth man smooth
@savajostac The psycho's name is William Tager, he claimed the networks were sending him signals and he wanted to find out the right frequency to stop the broadcasting.
@savajostac Many people thought Dan Rather made up the story as a publicity stunt ... but then, a few years later, the guy was caught after he murdered a Today show stagehand.
Dan once "sung" this song with REM on the Letterman show.
@savajostac The slant I heard was that they thought Rather was a guy who was screwing one of the assailant's girlfriend. I guess in an attempt to assess the severity of the beating needed, the aggrieved party was supposedly asked "What's the frequency, ie how many hours/days is this rattler banging your girl?
@savajostac do you remember when the today show first went with the windows and all the crowd interaction? about 1994 or so. anyway, one of the producers was murdered while getting set up one morning. it was the same guy who had attacked rather.
The "psycho's" rant was based on the fact he believed the television was sending subliminal messages and controlling/influencing the viewers. Which we know of course to be true. Dan Rather played a plenty good part throughout the decades helping to lull the viewers into the false reality he was spinning. Who is the true Psycho?
Listen to Alan Watt speak about social engineering.
@savajostac I heard something different. I heard that it was a studio thing. They were messing with the soundboard and kenneth knew the frequency and someone was saying that. I heard this story like 10 years ago so its kinda fuzzy.
@TheRocknRollfreak so true! there is no "alternative" anymore, alternative is that good charlotte and my chemical romance shit, what happened to music?
I fucking love this song.<3
nihongeorge 2 weeks ago 2
This song makes me all wet!
MPL029 2 weeks ago
@enrobsorussell Sorry I don't allow retarded comments on my wall.
imagination43 2 weeks ago
@imagination43 calling something a "retarded" comment is...well...very retarded
MPL029 2 weeks ago
wish someone would upload the full album Monster on You Tube.would appreciate it.
johnbrown53160 3 weeks ago
"You are the expectation" Sounds sort of haunty.
liberatedanimal 3 weeks ago
9 people never understood the frequency.
CanesFan680 3 weeks ago
You never went wrong with this band. They described this album as "Much louder than the last one."
ericp65 4 weeks ago
Damn I had this album since I was a kid and some thief broke my fucking car window and stole it along with other things ):( not cool
CastlevaniaDude1 1 month ago
Comment removed
CastlevaniaDude1 1 month ago
ringing
caotorotti 1 month ago
(Not Live) i love you xxx
RaeRae914 1 month ago
Man I remember the first time I heard this song, I thought it was awesome! Bought the album immediately. I hear this today and I still feel the same way. Good music will do that.
Zeppelinlv2007 1 month ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
WTF???!!!!! This is Nickelback.
ffairlane57 1 month ago
@ffairlane57 wtf are you on about?
imagination43 1 month ago 6
Holy shiza, thanks uploader for a great quality upload!
nonameavailableuser 2 months ago
Comment removed
AlexanderSchwartzcof 2 months ago
grew up listening to this cd didnt think much of it then but now i look back and am like damn i was listening to some good shit when i was mad young
collieman4202 3 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
Bargain i paid about 15 GBP for that album on CD back in 1993
iguanna41 3 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
Richard says withdrawal in disgust is not the same as apathy
moeharvard 3 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
I feel weird saying this, but Monster is one of REM's most "danceable" albums. I love the driving rhythm guitar.
ActionAimz 3 months ago
Noticed this CD at a yard sale a couple weeks ago in a $1 bin. I thought "eh, what the heck, it's R.E.M, maybe it'll be good". Pulled out a dollar, got to the car and popped the CD in...
BEST FREAKIN DOLLAR I EVER SPENT! =P
iamnatman 4 months ago 41
@iamnatman you never heard this lot>?? good buy :)
MonkeyHunch 3 months ago
@iamnatman Cool story... seriously. But why did you just discover this album? lol
mynameiscolb 3 days ago
o.O
mikevandervegt 4 months ago
i've often wondered myself, "What IS the frequency?" o.0
rofflemows2 4 months ago 2
dan rather
MrEbichan 4 months ago 2
is that a tele deluxe?
with the off set screws on the humbucker?
fletchermunsoncurve 4 months ago
My favorite song of their's, but not DAN's!
55Mizzou 5 months ago
How about this reaction...R.E.M. is a band uncompromised by the crap music coming out in the 80"s....These guys worked hard on their sound and it paid off big!!! I can't even name a song they did that I don't appreciate.....
danimartin661 5 months ago
@BarwinDarney I get nowhere with my penis.....
theburdcotter 5 months ago 2
@theburdcotter
Gee, that's too bad.
mikes230 5 months ago
@mikes230 Thanks Mike........have you a sister ?
theburdcotter 5 months ago
I'm not a fan of rock music, or alternative for that matter, although I can't help but appreciate songs and lyrics like these. I wish people stopped arguing about how one genre is better then another, and just realized that music is an art form that can be expressed in different ways.
600159mer 5 months ago
最高のバンドでした。
日本に来てくれてありがとう。
すばらしい曲を本当にありがとう。
7esperant 5 months ago
One of REM's best hard-rocking songs. They'll be missed, but I wonder if they'll do a reunion tour in five or ten years? It wouldn't shock me.
And to the poster: fair use is a pretty complicated legal issue, and 'in your face government! haha' tells me you don't understand it. In posting this, you aren't defying the government, you are defying the owner of the copyright. So 'in your face REM! haha' would be more accurate, if you insist on taunting the owners of the song.
misterdeadly1 5 months ago
one of my fav r.e.m songs. such a great alt rock band that will be missed
leeb19yido 5 months ago
Farewell R.E.M.
whatsavailable213213 5 months ago
R.I.P R.E.M. :(
BookerDayton 5 months ago
great band
zimmcat 5 months ago
Gone but never forgotten!
TDCC93 5 months ago
EA Hockey on the megadrive and this on repeat - unbeatable
neilcarmouche 5 months ago 2
This proves that these boys can ROCK. Why can't they do it more often. I've never been more disappointed with a band not being able to fulfil their true destiny. They could have taken this song even further and really beefed it up and rocked it out (but they didn't). CORPORATE SELL OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?
andreaneilcmc 6 months ago
@andreaneilcmc Perhaps this is the version of the song REM wanted to make...since they're the band...and you're not...their "potential" is what they define it being, not you. REM is far from a corporate sell out, LOL.
comlax22 5 months ago
@comlax22
With all due respect, I'm sure REM would have been a much better band if they had remained with a minor label. I'm sure they would have had more artistic freedom. But at least they got the cash.
andreaneilcmc 5 months ago
Poor replay botton..got raped by me
caifa4 6 months ago 7
Reminds of the 90's... before music took a huge crap.
bunkosquad2000 6 months ago
The original Monster. Take that Lady Gaga.
quiet777riot 7 months ago 6
@quiet777riot i'll Like that one :D
rofflemows2 6 months ago
The song that made me fall in love with the Monster album!
lyonslaforet 7 months ago
Still convinced that the last line is "Don't fuck with me"
grantdrummond 7 months ago 2
@grantdrummond You too?
MajickDemoniack 7 months ago
@grantdrummond So am I.
TJ347 6 months ago
@grantdrummond It is. From Wikipedia: A 'radio edit' version of the song was mixed and marketed (through mainly promotional release) due to use of the phrase "don’t fuck with me" in the original album recording. The 12" and maxi-single releases of the single both feature the radio edit, whereas the 7", CD single and cassette release of the single feature the uncensored album version.
SamWaterstonFanatic 5 months ago
@SamWaterstonFanatic cheers mate :)
grantdrummond 5 months ago
@beats1969
@Kingkidkira
Alright give it a rest ladies, my video wall is not for you to meet up and exchange handbag blows just enjoy the music or leave
imagination43 7 months ago 34
@imagination43 michael stipe likes handbags .
beats1969 7 months ago
@imagination43 and the incredibly sexist insult award goes to...
nezzynez 5 months ago
@imagination43 Umas das melhores bandas de todos os tempos . . .
Sempre a Austrália e sua bandas sensacionais ....
Triste foi tomar conhecimento do fim da banda ...
Deixaram seu nome na história do Rock in Roll . . .
Nós fãs do Brasil ficamos muito tirstes ....
isacpiau 5 months ago
@isacpiau
Austrália?
essa banda é americana...de Athens, Georgia.
edumota 4 months ago
we should wrestle ! yum,yum !
beats1969 7 months ago
i want your balls , in my mouth ! you sexy king of improper puntuation ! you sexy ,tough ,badass TROLL ! so manly ,yum,yum !
beats1969 7 months ago
who ever dislikes this song ...idiots
GMAN8407 7 months ago 3
One of their better songs. Though that's hardly saying much! Probably used Kurts Jag to record this too, what a bonus :)
Jagstang67 8 months ago
Amo esta canción, es como si me conquistara una joven y bella mujer (un club nocturno)... en una etapa fea de mi existencia y este sol llegara con esta música y su presencia... a llenar tanto vacio y pena de mi corazón... Es un tema romántico, genial y profundo para amarse y sentirse con PASIÓN......- y algo mas.- ESO.-
Dustinchile 8 months ago
@Dustinchile I know and he's not even on his pushbike
6591paul 7 months ago
I certainly enjoyed monster. I know its not the best but for anyone who freaking whined that R.E.M wasn't rocking enough they forgot about this album
speedybill47 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
soon to be walking away in disgust
TheChrisbarry44 8 months ago
OMG EARGASM.
cheekydiva007x 8 months ago 3
@cheekydiva007x thats what i thout too the first time i ever heard the song
GMAN8407 7 months ago
enjoy. too much conversation.
naughtynurseh 8 months ago
The guitar solo is in backward (I don't speak english so... lol)
ToOomas92 9 months ago
@ToOomas92 hahaha i actually thought that but its not! i can play it, its just all weird bends and stuff, sounds good though !
peterj2o 9 months ago
@peterj2o So my teacher lies to me... fuck him!
ToOomas92 9 months ago
never knew that.
MathanJot 9 months ago
Awesome song
Kedbuka 9 months ago
Even the '90s were so much simpler and better than now.Facebook,Blackberrys, reality TV and all that BS has really messed things up even more.People get more self absorbed,lazy and stupid.You can't find too many awesome songs coming out nowadays.This one rocks.
stations44 9 months ago 2
"You wore a shirt of violent green" is way better than "you want to shout violent things," which is what I used to think it was. Thank you, internet lyrics, for finally teaching me what Michael Stipe was saying!
spershall 10 months ago
understood
1964chrissie 10 months ago
<3
AbenteuerDauerfeuer1 10 months ago
LOVE the tremolo effect in there.
It adds such a great dynamic to a rock song.
PurpleHoneyBear 10 months ago 3
The song slows down slightly towards the end (from an original tempo of 96 BPM down to 94 BPM) as bassist Mike Mills was in severe pain and slowed his playing. Mills was taken to the hospital and it was discovered he had appendicitis, which disrupted parts of the 1995 Monster tour (resulting in dates between 10 July, 1995 and 20 July, 1995 to be cancelled). R.E.M. never got around to re-recording the song.
lil2tom7 10 months ago 4
this song brings me back
wuzreeelytho 11 months ago 2
The guitar just rocks on this song. Love it.
djrom66 11 months ago
great song
bobo441978 11 months ago
I used to steal this CD from my older sister and jam out to it when I was in the 6th grade. This whole CD is fucking phenominal.
NightTimeRightTime 1 year ago
One my top 5 favourites songs........ever. Absolutely amazing. Love the guitar on it. Awesome.
bonoman1982 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
load of shite
MrAlofbag 1 year ago
@MrAlofbag Then you clearly have no understanding or taste in music. Thank you for your retarded comment though moron.
imagination43 1 year ago 35
@MrAlofbag why click on it if its shite retard!!
iguanna41 11 months ago
@MrAlofbag yes...yes, you are.
Simracer1990 8 months ago
@MrAlofbag lol nobody wants to know what's in your pants, man.
tarantulady 8 months ago in playlist best playlist ever
@MrAlofbag a load you say .... you mean like my DICK loaded into your mouth. PWN!!!!!
Kingkidkira 7 months ago
@Kingkidkira ha ! duuuuuuude ! killer c"u"mback ! hilarious ! oh , man ! lol! hahaha !
philosopher ? c"u"median ? brain surgeon ? rocket scientist ( no pun intended ) .......
oh , everyday , BORING , UNINSPIRED , uneducated , illiterate , toothless , too much t.v. watching , redneck AMERIKKKAN ! i see .
beats1969 7 months ago
@beats1969 *American dumbass and you need to learn how to spell and yes Im a hilarious badass and unlike you I do have a life.... PWND!!! fag
Kingkidkira 7 months ago
@Kingkidkira your lexicon is perplexing . can you please use monosyllabic language , you see i'm an *AMERIKKKAN dumbass . i believe proper englishmen use the word "fag" to describe a cigarette . i am not from england ..why did you just call me a cigarette ?! and , judjing by your ,poor , limited vocabulary , you are a very angry TROLL !!! PWND ! YOUR BREATH STINKS !WHITE TRASH .! STRAIGHT ! HAHAHA...FUCKIN' A DUDE .STRAIGHT !!
beats1969 7 months ago
@beats1969 now it shows your fucking stupid I'm american to and there would no point calling you a cigarette when I meant fag I meant that you were gay dumbass. and poor limited vocabulary? dude I just don't want to spend my days talking to you. and Iknow your trying to hit on me but your barking up the wrong tree. oh and go suck a dick
Kingkidkira 7 months ago
@MrAlofbag do i see you touring the world making lots of money making music??? NO SO SHUT THE FUCK UP!!
nirvanafoo98 5 months ago
@MrAlofbag
maybe you, monster
Flagellator1974 5 months ago
I love the start of the guitar solo. It sounds like a plane crash
Mryorkshirepudngravy 1 year ago
i wonder when they will remove this song for some bullshit copyright reason,no one is allowed to have fun for free!
clone63742 1 year ago 23
@clone63742 you don't need to worry about that they tried and failed, they can't take it down because of the fair use act :) in your face government! haha
imagination43 1 year ago 39
@imagination43 fuck yeah,lol!
clone63742 1 year ago
@imagination43 should be "in your face soulless corporations, thank you government for passing the fair use act :)"
moderndarkage 10 months ago
@imagination43 What fair use act? There is no such thing, and besides, songs can be removed whenever for whatever reason by the copyright holder.
MrAlek445 9 months ago
@MrAlek445
1. Yes there is
2. I've already used it to get the audio back for this video
3. Just enjoy the music
4. Shut up
imagination43 9 months ago 49
@imagination43 hahahahahaha owned
peterj2o 9 months ago
@imagination43 i think 4. says enough XD
devilkera 7 months ago in playlist Favorieten
@imagination43 If you managed to get this allowed under fair use then fair play to you, that's a tricky can of worms to open when it comes to music. However, if successful, it leaves us with quality tracks like this on youtube.
Burbridge92 6 months ago
@imagination43 You are now entitled to one free night of boozing with my me, my wife, and friends for your straight forward righteousness.
SevenOfNone 6 months ago
@MrAlek445 Try googling "fair use act" Amazing things will happen.
RainPoetry 5 months ago
@imagination43 don't mean to split hairs here, but wouldn't any fair use act working in your favour be more of a 'in your face, greedy music company; yay, gov't'? btw, thx fer uploading and fighting to keep this song up
twobit211 7 months ago
You begin pummeling the man with your fists, screaming "What's the frequency, Kenneth?" over and over as you do so.
After your arms get tired, you leave the alley, wondering what came over you. You consider it for a few minutes, then lose interest because you see something shiny in the gutter. Guess it'll remain a mystery.
You gain 6 Strongness.
Saxony4 1 year ago 3
Es espectacular esta cancion ya lleva casi 20 años y aun seguira gustando a muchas generaciones! THANK YOU REM FOR VISIT PARAGUAY. GOD BLESS
marzarza 1 year ago
That riff should be from Keith Richards isn't it ?
Hueyham 1 year ago
REM had such an incredible run of albums from Document to Monster. One of, I would say, the best 20 bands ever, easily. Just consistantly producing quality work and doing it on their own terms.
kjcasey42 1 year ago
the album cover looks just like my girlfriends cat, bob. bob's named after codename bob. bet you can't guess what that is. ( clue ; it's another rem album). I love this song!!!
landstrom27 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
the album cover looks just like my girlfriends cat BOB. Bob's named after code name bob, guess what that is. (Clue it's the name of another rem album)
landstrom27 1 year ago
the album cover looks just like my girlfriends cat BOB. Bob's named after code name bob, guess what that is. (Clue it's the name of another rem album)
landstrom27 1 year ago
Ok, this song WAS written about a subway attack on Dan Rather in 1986....One of the men who attacked him (William Tager) was arrested later for a murder he commited in 1996. Interesting.....Thanks savajostac, I didn't know all of that.
todd291022 1 year ago
That story is crazy. Dan Rather was asking a studio technician(Kenneth)"What's the frequency"...and didn't realize he was on a live open microphone
90stevo9 1 year ago
All the old R.E.M. songs keep reminding me of all the good things of the 90s.
I keep hearing their songs from that period in my head while reminiscing over the nineties.
afiv98 1 year ago 3
Am I the only one that thinks the album cover is one of those illusions? You know the ones that, if you stare at it long enough, look away and blink, you'll see that image?
I dunno. But great song.
Elkasaurusfulness 1 year ago
see these guys many moons ago pure quality , still play this full volume everytime i hear it. the kids think im mad, little do they know. enjoy u only live the once.
sam4colin 1 year ago
Great Frequency, Great Song
smokeythecat1000 1 year ago
i heard this song in a movie. can someone name the movie please. thank you
sosidecop64 1 year ago
@999duhast agree. i personally associate this song with high school in the mid 90's!!! good times :-)
lamentate07 1 year ago
3:59 sucks!
miljenko1 1 year ago
William Tager (born November 9, 1947) is a Charlotte, North Carolina man who assaulted television journalist and newsreader Dan Rather and later murdered Campbell Montgomery because of his belief that television networks were watching him and sending him signals.
auerstadt06 1 year ago 2
rockin
kirstmc22 1 year ago
aww horseshit i cant stop listening -cries because the song is too good for my ears-
happensq 1 year ago 2
thanks
chattershatter 1 year ago
rock band next week
blaizevincent 1 year ago 5
You said that irony was the shackles of youth.
jerseyirish 1 year ago
Looks like a Jaguar.
bb4960 1 year ago
Still f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s!
PlaceboMode 1 year ago
what does dan rather think about the song i wonder
krugerfuchs 1 year ago
You couldn't write a better song about a physical assault.
hitokirikurohata 1 year ago
I remember seeing the video for this on MTV a lot back in the very early part of 1995. My father had bought a closed captioned TV shortly before then. I remember watching a bunch of videos on MTV with closed captions, including the one for this song.
TheGringo300 1 year ago
The guy who jumped Rather thought that Rather was himself from the future (like 500 yrs or so) and he was trying to get the frequency from "himself" on a "special radio" which would transport him back to where he (the guy doing the attacking) belonged--in the future. He thought he was attacking himself. Schizophrenia is a wonderful thing. Amazingly, The man is now locked up for killing a NBC (not CBS, Rathers former employer) employee.
samevie07 1 year ago
I never liked this song, even though my older brother had this album and it was played regularly back when it came out. And the years after.
Last week I heard it on the radio again, and suddenly I loved it.
What about that
dinnae 1 year ago
probably cause you're older and mature. I didn't start getting REM till i was in my mid twenties. It's that kind of music
roachster55 1 year ago
Comment removed
nicholsjoshua15 1 year ago
Who cares wot their singin about? Michael Stipe has one of the most amazing voices and the whole sound as with all other REM songs is fantastic.. interpretation is in the ears of the listener
jodavies1978 1 year ago
the last chorus "Don't F**k with me"...
pinaymootang 1 year ago
Hands down the coolest REM song - the best part starts around 2:00 and reminds me of why i found them to be so different to listen to. GREAT stuff.... The song is true to its album's name - monstrous !
nagee76 1 year ago
best REM song hands down
leidheiser6 1 year ago
My first name is Kenneth and I vaguely know the story of Mr Rather, but that is cool you know so much about this song,no , really, it is cool , really I mean it ,really I do.
cockycaucasian 1 year ago
For over 20 years now, I´ve never figured out what REM's lyrics were supposed to mean. probably just "poetry". But great music anyway, and this is the opening song from their greatest album! :)
OKelvin 1 year ago
Great sound!
cockycaucasian 1 year ago
the perfect REM song by far :)
iloveyouukiid 1 year ago
This song is about the assualt on Dan Rather while Dan was waiting for a Subway train in N.Y.
The Psyco that jumped on Mr Rather kept asking Dan Rather "Whats the Frequency Kenneth" while continuously beating on Rather face ,,,,,True story ,,,you can Google it if you want. Dan rather is the one who coined the phrase that "Irony was the shackles of youth",,,,,,,,,,,,
savajostac 1 year ago 69
@savajostac thanks for that
Bigmartinno1 1 year ago
@savajostac You're an idiot. The song is about Rather's tour as a reporter in Vietnam. His radio man was shot in the head and Rather was caught on film asking the dying man, "What's the frequency Kenneth?" Over and over. Weird and chilling.
kskshghg 1 year ago
@kskshghg No, actually, Savajostac had it more or less correct.
thekiloton1 1 year ago
@kskshghg Where did you read that? I always understood the Rather assault in NYC was accurate song meaning.
jerseyirish 1 year ago
@kskshghg It refers to an incident in New York City in 1986, where news anchor Dan Rather was the victim of an unprovoked attack by one or two assailants who, between beatings, would ask, "what's the frequency, Kenneth?" (although the phrase Dan Rather says he actually heard was, "Kenneth, what is the frequency?"). One of the assailants has been since identified as William Tager, who attacked Rather because he thought the media had taken control of him. smooth man smooth
willbaboon 1 year ago 2
@savajostac The psycho's name is William Tager, he claimed the networks were sending him signals and he wanted to find out the right frequency to stop the broadcasting.
ZeroFiftyFour 1 year ago
@savajostac
this song is about your mom sucking balls
maseratiquattroport 1 year ago
@savajostac Absolutely true- I remember at the time of the song's release hearing all about the inspiration. Great facts! in your post.
SlimTwisted 1 year ago
@savajostac Many people thought Dan Rather made up the story as a publicity stunt ... but then, a few years later, the guy was caught after he murdered a Today show stagehand.
Dan once "sung" this song with REM on the Letterman show.
0814ma 1 year ago
@0814ma i remember that. i miss rather.
tranurse 1 year ago
@savajostac The slant I heard was that they thought Rather was a guy who was screwing one of the assailant's girlfriend. I guess in an attempt to assess the severity of the beating needed, the aggrieved party was supposedly asked "What's the frequency, ie how many hours/days is this rattler banging your girl?
hork111 1 year ago
@savajostac do you remember when the today show first went with the windows and all the crowd interaction? about 1994 or so. anyway, one of the producers was murdered while getting set up one morning. it was the same guy who had attacked rather.
tranurse 1 year ago
@savajostac
The "psycho's" rant was based on the fact he believed the television was sending subliminal messages and controlling/influencing the viewers. Which we know of course to be true. Dan Rather played a plenty good part throughout the decades helping to lull the viewers into the false reality he was spinning. Who is the true Psycho?
Listen to Alan Watt speak about social engineering.
Ridd333 11 months ago
@savajostac I heard something different. I heard that it was a studio thing. They were messing with the soundboard and kenneth knew the frequency and someone was saying that. I heard this story like 10 years ago so its kinda fuzzy.
iwillkillyouful 9 months ago
@savajostac
*"Kenneth, what is the frequency?"
90Boone 8 months ago
I thought I'd pegged you; an idiots dream. Tunnel vision from the insider's screen. What does that mean?
laustererk 1 year ago
Hope they keep this song up. Your video is the best version I could find. Not live and it's of good sound quality.
heavenspaw 1 year ago
R.E.M. are one of the best Alternative Rock bands ever! Way better than Green Day and Linkin Park and all that other shite!
TheRocknRollfreak 1 year ago
@TheRocknRollfreak so true! there is no "alternative" anymore, alternative is that good charlotte and my chemical romance shit, what happened to music?
quadleaf95 1 year ago