Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 7d

Delighted to see Leave and I Believe doing so well. Great under appreciated songs

1

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 8d

It’s unbelievable. 5 minutes long, mandolin lead, no chorus, yet still unbelievable

1

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 8d

Thank you! Look, each to their own. I always try and stay away from the “I’ve listened to this too much” piece in these lists. I don’t really get how that impacts on the quality of the song. We all have our opinions though, that’s what makes these so interesting.

1

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 8d

What do you miss most about Rob? Can you tell us your favourite story about him?

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 9d

#REMTop30

Number 1: Losing My Religion

“That was just a dream
That's me in the corner”

The 9 seconds from 2.56 - 3.05 here raise the hairs on the back of my neck like virtually no other song.

Was always going to be number 1.

youtu.be/xwtdhWltSIg?...

R.E.M. - Losing My Religion (Official HD Music Video)

YouTube video by remhq

youtu.be

2 4 47

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 9d

Thanks James. I’ve really enjoyed putting my list together and seeing what other people have chosen.

1 3

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 10d

#REMTop30

Number 2: Find the River

“I have got to leave to find my way”

One of the great album closers, from one of the truly great albums.

youtu.be/KIJGlTu5sEI?...

R.E.M. - Find The River (Official Music Video) [Parallel Video Version]

YouTube video by remhq

youtu.be

21

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 10d

9 minutes sounds like a lot, here it somehow doesn’t

1

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 11d

#REMTop30

Number 3: Country Feedback

“It's crazy what you could've had”

The people don’t think they need to watch a 9 minute version of this song featuring Neil Young. The people are wrong.

youtu.be/H47es-RsJKw?...

R E M & Neil Young Country Feedback 10 18 98 Shoreline Amphitheatre OFFICIAL

YouTube video by Oldskull Pub

youtu.be

1 26

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 11d

#REMTop30

Number 4: Nightswimming

“I'm not sure all these people understand”

I know everyone will share this, but what’s one more. Just beautiful.

youtu.be/KVT0S0j7F9Y?...

R.E.M. - Nightswimming (Later… with Jools Holland on BBC1, 14 October 2003)

YouTube video by REMVEVO

youtu.be

3 28

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 13d

#REMTop30

Number 5: What’s the Frequency Kenneth?

“You said that irony was the shackles of youth”

Visceral first single from the criminally underrated Monster. Fantastic bass line from Mike too.

youtu.be/jWkMhCLkVOg?...

R.E.M. - What's The Frequency, Kenneth? (Official HD Music Video)

YouTube video by remhq

youtu.be

18

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 13d

#REMTop30

Number 6: Don’t Go Back to Rockville

“At night I drink myself to sleep
Pretend I don't care if you're not here with me”

I nearly missed this today. Glorious and so very, very REM.

youtu.be/rvE1lkLfpnc?...

[Don't Go Back To] Rockville (Remastered 2006)

YouTube video by R.E.M. - Topic

youtu.be

23

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 15d

#REMTop30

Number 7: I Believe

“You're on your honor not to tell”

The best melody Michael Stipe ever wrote and R.E.M’s best pop song.

youtu.be/8ftacKGmn6Q?...

R.E.M. - I Believe (Official Lyric Video) - VOTE 2024

YouTube video by remhq

youtu.be

20

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 16d

#REMTop30

8. It’s the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)

“Leonard Bernstein”

One of the great concert closers of all time.

youtu.be/Z0GFRcFm-aY?...

R.E.M. - It's The End Of The World

YouTube video by REMVEVO

youtu.be

1 22

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 16d

She needs to get to 20?

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 17d

#REMTop30

9. Man on the Moon

“Then nothing is cool”

Automatic… has one of the strongest 3 track finishes to an album I’ve ever heard. The other 2 are still to come.

youtu.be/dLxpNiF0YKs?...

R.E.M. - Man On The Moon (Official HD Music Video)

YouTube video by remhq

youtu.be

34

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 18d

#REMTop30

10. The One I Love

“A simple prop to occupy my time”

Truth.

youtu.be/j7oQEPfe-O8?...

R.E.M. - The One I Love (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by REMVEVO

youtu.be

1 26

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 19d

#REMTop30

11. The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite

“And little need to sleep but to dream”

Automatic…is one of the greatest albums of all time and 10 of its songs were in contention for my list

youtu.be/mgiCechWNCo?...

R.E.M. - The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite (Official HD Music Video)

YouTube video by remhq

youtu.be

16

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 20d

#REMTop30

12. Radio Free Europe

“Push that, push that, push that to the floor”

Going right back to the start with a song that sounds as vital now as it ever did.

open.spotify.com/track/0f0U6i...

Radio Free Europe - Live

open.spotify.com

1 1 25

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 21d

#REMTop30

Number 13: Orange Crush

“I've had my fun and now it's time to serve”

Another R.E.M that truly comes into its own when played Live.

open.spotify.com/track/1nzMRc...

Orange Crush - Live

open.spotify.com

2 25

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 21d

#REMTop30

Number 14: Fall On Me

“Feathers hit the ground before the weight can leave the air”

In the earlier days of online polls this would frequently win best R.E.M song. It’s easy to see why.

open.spotify.com/track/3xPKSM...

Fall On Me - 2011 Remaster

open.spotify.com

21

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 22d

#REMTop30

15. Finest Worksong

“The time to rise has been engaged
You're better best to rearrange”

The first song they’d play on stage in the highly unlikely event that they returned and agreed to perform my fantasy Setlist.

open.spotify.com/track/0XJlM0...

Finest Worksong - Live

open.spotify.com

21

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 24d

#REMTop30

Number 16: Begin the Begin

“Silence means security, silence means approval”

Let’s begin again…

open.spotify.com/track/3E5sxg...

Spotify – Web Player

open.spotify.com

19

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 24d

Thanks as always Rich!

1 2

Niall Collins @colliniho.bsky.social · 25d

#REMTop30

Number 17: Lotus

“Wash away my ugly sins
Opposing thumb, dorsal fin”

The best song they released in the “post Bill” era from the best album of that period. It’s brilliant live as well.

open.spotify.com/track/4awrus...

Lotus - Live From Pyramid Stage, Glastonbury Festival / 1999

open.spotify.com

1 14