It's a Tuneful Tuesday!

Good gravy, it's a hot one today! After making a trip to the store, loading and unloading the groceries, and making a few trips to bring in the recycling bins, I'm more than ready to hop in the shower.

But first, a song!

On my way to and from the store, I was listening to the latest REM CD, "Accelerate." I'm really enjoying it, and it's some of their best stuff in years. There was a song that played, and something about it just struck me, enough so that I played it twice. It's called "Mr. Richards," and it's got the usual jangle-y REM guitar sound and the perfectly-layered REM harmonies. It's just kind of a laid back song that progresses along nicely. It's a very pleasant listen. The lyrics first.

"Mr. Richards"

Mr. Richards your position is a messenger pigeon
Left behind you when the camp moved on
We thought that you would listen
But the words they never crystallized
Into a truth that you might own, hey hey

Mr. Richards, your decision
Pay attention, pay attention

Mr. Richards you're forgiven
For a narrow lack of vision
But the fires are still raging on
The public's got opinions
And these consequences border on
The compound that you razed where zealots sang, hey hey

Mr. Richards, your decision
Pay attention, pay attention

So listen, your intention
Sign the papers, stamp the ribbon
You're mistaken if you think we'll just forget

You can thump your chest and rattle
Stand in front of your piano
But we know what's going on
Yes we know what's going on
We're the children of the choir, hey
And we know what's going on

Mr. Richards you're conviction
Had us cheering in the kitchen
Now the jury's eating pigeon pie
So tell me how is prison
Have they taught you how to listen
We've begun to bridge the schism
Pay attention, pay attention

Mr. Richards, your decision
Pay attention, pay attention

You can thump your chest and rattle
Stand in front of your piano
But we know what's going on
Yes we know what's going on
We're the children of the choir, hey
From the compound fire, hey
And we know what's going on
Yes we know what's going on

I don't think this is about anyone in particular, just the typical posturing politician/government official that REM loves to mock.

Now a video, shot live. I've seen REM twice, once in Indianapolis and once at Notre Dame (third row seats, man!) and I can attest to their talent as a live band. In fact, I'd say they're one of the best live acts I've ever seen. Their voices are dead on, as is their playing, and you can't go wrong with spending the money to see them. Cousin Shane has seen them more times than when we saw the shows I mentioned, and in fact, I believe he's got a picture of him and his buddies with Michael Stipe. How cool is that? Here you go. Rock on, J-Land.

Tags: REM, Mr. Richards