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R.E.M. — Fall On Me
Album: Life's Rich Pageant
Avg rating:
7.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3170









Released: 1986
Length: 2:43
Plays (last 30 days): 0
There's a problem, feathers, iron
Bargain buildings, weights and pulleys
Feathers hit the ground
Before the weight can leave the air

Buy the sky and sell the sky
And tell the sky, and tell the sky
Fall on me (what is it up in the air for)
Fall on me (if it's there for long)
Fall on me (it's over, it's over me)

There's the progress
We have found a way to talk around the problem
Building towers
Foresight isn't anything at all

Buy the sky and sell the sky
And bleed the sky and tell the sky
Fall on me (what is it up in the air for)
Fall on me (if it's there for long)
Fall on me (it's over, it's over me)
Fall on me
(Well I would keep it above but then it wouldn't be sky any more)
(So if I send it to you you've got to promise to keep it home)

Buy the sky and sell the sky
And lift your arms up to the sky
And ask the sky, and ask the sky
Fall on me (what is it up in the air for)
Fall on me (if it's there for long)
Fall on me (it's over, it's over me)
Comments (329)add comment
 lily34 wrote:


my fav is Nightswimming

but this is great as well and takes me back. sigh.


Night swimming is a beautiful song.
 rtrt wrote:

If we were allowed to pick one song and one song only, to give it an 11 - this would be it for me



Still true 6 years later
Man I really miss these early R.E.M. works like this one, Driver 8, Orange Crush, Can't Get There From Here, etc.  Those were just amazing back in the day.
 
"Losing My Religion" and "Shiny Happy People" felt like the beginning of the end, and it all went downhill into iHeartRadio friendly schlock.
 Daveteauk wrote:

Totally non sensical lyrics, from one of THE most overrated bands on earth! No More REM, Please.




If I had a turbocharged downvote machine running 24/7 it still wouldn't be enough for this idiotic comment.
Totally non sensical lyrics, from one of THE most overrated bands on earth! No More REM, Please.
Fantastic album all the way through!
 jelgator wrote:

Gets better and better the older I get.



agreed. and still marks time for me, like all good music does.
Gets better and better the older I get.
Giant leap is my favorite one, beside all.
 Sasha2001 wrote:

If I had to pick only one R.E.M. song, this would have to be it. It's a masterpiece from start to finish.



my fav is Nightswimming

but this is great as well and takes me back. sigh.
Sonic and lyric impressionism. I love it.
 ¥√€$ wrote:

Michael and Mike's singing is like ABBA's Agnetha and Anna-Frida; timeless beauty for eternity.




Very interesting analogy!! ...It is not something I would have come up with. But, after some careful thought, I can see that!  
Michael and Mike's singing is like ABBA's Agnetha and Anna-Frida; timeless beauty for eternity.
 reallylost wrote:

My favorite REM song. 212 out of 10. Love REM. Love the voice. Emotion. 


this and I Believe are tied for me

Also found on the great Cry, Cry, Cry album by Shindell, Kaplanski and Williams. some tracks from that album would fit here.
Are we in a Gap store?
My favorite REM song. 212 out of 10. Love REM. Love the voice. Emotion. 
Such a great song, with an important message that unfortunately we have not heeded as a society. 
I just don't understand what REM are actually about. There is artistic value there, I sense, but even as much as I like Jackson Pollock I also don't, for the craftiness of the schtick. I've been listening to them for 40 years, and PSE'ing them now on RP for 10. I figure that those 30 years of effort to appreciate them should keep me out of hell.
I discovered R.E.M about 25 years late. Quite worth the wait.
This is possibly my favorite album of theirs...it was quite an interesting time and this filled a void
Awww with that Mike Mills harmonizing.  
You have to think about this one in the context of 1986 to see how progressive it was at the time. It's got hints of post-punk and new wave, bust isn't that. It's got hints of 80s pop, but isn't that either. Just like the Kinks or Sabbath, REM was one of those bands that helped popular music turn an important corner. 
 Daveteauk wrote:
One of THE most overrated bands - Ever!
 

NOT
dreamy and lyrical, this album was my intro to this band. They have some great songs! Over the years I have enjoyed them very much. A desert-island disc for me.
The bands pop sensibility shines on this AOR radio hit 
One of THE most overrated bands - Ever!
Always very listenable like it
What a wonderful group.  I never got into them into them until later in my Life; but, glad I did!
Reminds me of Dr. Martens boots and blue jean jackets.
If you R 2 Big don't Fall On Me!  You will CRUSH my eyeliner.
Mike Mills vocal parts really lend a lot to how good this song is.
 hencini wrote:
So. Good. 

My favorite part is the layered vocals in the chorus.  Absolutely lovely.   
 
Absolutely true. That's what makes the song so brilliant.  

Makes me happy every time I hear it.
I judge people who dismiss REM...soulless.
Wonderful song with great vocals
 Grayson wrote:
Like in this song, when Ga. boy Michael Stipe sings the word "progress" with a Canadian accent.
 
A long o sound is Canadian?  Are you sure about that?
 leechi wrote:
i judge people who listen to R.E.M

boring music for boring people. 
 
Might I suggest a simple cheese, perhaps a cottage cheese to pair with that whine?
 leechi wrote:
i judge people who listen to R.E.M

boring music for boring people. 

 
We were all 12 once**.  Most outgrow it.

**except those that aren't yet.
There is no bigger R.E.M. fan than me. I'd drive to Athens, Ga. from Charleston, SC all the time in the early 80's to hear 'em in those beer-soaked bars, the 40 Watt mostly, of yore, after my first exposure to their sound. Which was bopping down the street one fine college day, and I heard "Radio Free Europe" blasting from a King Street record store, turned around, walked in and said "Give me whatever you've got of that." My ears haven't been the same since. To love R.E.M. with all one's heart is to embrace that undercurrent of pretentiousness about them they've had from the get-go.

Like in this song, when Ga. boy Michael Stipe sings the word "progress" with a Canadian accent.
 leechi wrote:
i judge people who listen to R.E.M

boring music for boring people. 

 Well you sure sound like a great and fun person to know or hang out with.... NOT


 leechi wrote:
i judge people who listen to R.E.M

boring music for boring people. 

 
"Judge not, that ye be not judged." Let's just all enjoy this great music mix, right? {#Cheesygrin} Thanx Bill and Rebecca, you guys rock! (pun inherent, not intended)

 

Gotta' love R.E.M. in the 1980s.  Thereafter, meh . . .


 leechi wrote:
i judge people who listen to R.E.M

boring music for boring people. 

 
Leechi du bist da Depp
I judge people who judge other people's taste in music as being narrow-minded.

Bat wrote:

That sounds pretty harsh, but I think I may do the same people who are fans of Radiohead.

 


 leechi wrote:
i judge people who listen to R.E.M

boring music for boring people. 

 
That sounds pretty harsh, but I think I may do the same people who are fans of Radiohead.
i judge people who listen to R.E.M

boring music for boring people. 
So many 10's tonight...ask the sky
If we were allowed to pick one song and one song only, to give it an 11 - this would be it for me
As a former college-radio DJ, I love how Bill/ Becca team nails the transition to this from the last, note-for-note, perfectly transitioned...
 bb_matt wrote:
Back when REM could raise the small hairs on the back of your neck.
 
Before they abdicated the throne of Best Band in America. 
What a great period that was. 
 Hannio wrote:
 Proclivities wrote:

Doesn't it seem like time for that scenario to go away?  First of all, what would one use for electricity on this uncharted desert island unless Gilligan and the Professor are going to rig up some sort of solar/coconut-powered generator?  
{#Propeller} 

 

Or instead of making a radio out of a coconut, just fix the damn hole in the boat!

 
{#Lol}
as slick and clean as The Eagles
What a great song.  The posted lyrics are missing an important word: "don't" (as in "Don't fall on me").
Fall geschlossen.
 Proclivities wrote:

Doesn't it seem like time for that scenario to go away?  First of all, what would one use for electricity on this uncharted desert island unless Gilligan and the Professor are going to rig up some sort of solar/coconut-powered generator?  
{#Propeller} 

 

Or instead of making a radio out of a coconut, just fix the damn hole in the boat!
 bb_matt wrote:
Back when REM could raise the small hairs on the back of your neck.
 
couldn't agree more!
It seems like yesterday . . . {#Bananajam}{#Bananasplit}{#Dancingbanana_2}
Back when REM could raise the small hairs on the back of your neck.
perfect. goosebumps.
I miss these guys (IRS period only).

Fall on me Susie B


ScottishWillie wrote:
Throughout my life music had never been quite as important to me as food or shelter but it's not far behind. For a few years in my life, before wife and kids reset my prioritys, REM were colossally important to me. For some bizarre reason this particular track has never made it into any of my playlists, but listening to it now takes me back to a time and place I'll never visit again. Sometimes music can make you think back and you become maudlin, other times, like now, it just reminds you of what you were. Thank you Radio Paradise. 

Now 30 years old.  Where TF did the time go?

Their music has really grown on me through the years. I feel privileged to have seen them at the base of Copper Mountain in the spring of 2011 - seemed like half the crowd (small) didn't even know who they were.  I was dancing in my ski boots in the front row under my blue Summit County sky.  A memory to never be forgotten. 

 ...chuckle...on the other hand, it reminds me of my best friend who was also dancing in her ski boots and partaking of some of the shared "flowers" in the crowd and some great cocktails - she wanted to climb up on a small bar table and dance up there.  Most of the crowd yelled "NO" in fear but in general were having more fun watching her than R.E.M. to see what she would try next. 

She upstaged them that day.  

 I'll have to remind her of that.  {#Cheers}


have you seen the video of Stipe doing 'Ashes To Ashes' for the Bowie tribute at Carnegie?
i'm worried about the guy, i don't think he'll make it much longer on Earth
hopefully he's insulated and someone's keeping an eye on him 
The 'other' R.E.M. songs sound so damn good.
Gorgeous soundscape, searing lyricism, enchanting harmonies; everything they did in this period was magic. Saw them live then, too!
their best album.  a masterpiece.  {#Cowboy}
 LindaSimmons wrote:
Pity they stopped.

 
Oh, I don't know. They ended things on their own terms. No fights, no being dropped from a label, still making good music.
Just about every other band keeps going, long after they should have hung it up for good (hello, Stones).
REM was never really the same after drummer Bill Berry departed. He was the "editor" in the band when they were recording. The one who knew sooner than the others what should stay or go on a song or what was needed.

Throughout my life music had never been quite as important to me as food or shelter but it's not far behind. For a few years in my life, before wife and kids reset my prioritys, REM were colossally important to me. For some bizarre reason this particular track has never made it into any of my playlists, but listening to it now takes me back to a time and place I'll never visit again. Sometimes music can make you think back and you become maudlin, other times, like now, it just reminds you of what you were. Thank you Radio Paradise. 

 YepSasha2001 wrote:
If I had to pick only one R.E.M. song, this would have to be it. It's a masterpiece from start to finish.

 
Agree completely.

Edit - In fact see I agreed with you, others and myself previously {#Cheesygrin}
If I had to pick only one R.E.M. song, this would have to be it. It's a masterpiece from start to finish.
 Babette55 wrote:
Miss this band SO much....{#Drummer}

 
What REM has created is timeless, so they`re still on{#Clap}
I'm always The World Champion Air Guitarist when Peter Buck launches into those fantastic chords on Chuyahoga off this album.
Miss this band SO much....{#Drummer}
 boober wrote:

Electricity? No problem

 

(dragging of images into post editor is not allowed)

{#Fire}
How prophetic these words....
 
 rtrt wrote:

agree - goosebumps every time for me

if i had to pick one REM song this would be it 

 
I couldn't agree with you more.
 hencini wrote:
So. Good. 

My favorite part is the layered vocals in the chorus.  Absolutely lovely.   

 
agree - goosebumps every time for me

if i had to pick one REM song this would be it 
 Proclivities wrote:

Doesn't it seem like time for that scenario to go away?  First of all, what would one use for electricity on this uncharted desert island unless Gilligan and the Professor are going to rig up some sort of solar/coconut-powered generator?  Wouldn't acquiring food, water, and shelter be much more important than wondering what one musical work one would be condemned to listening to for the rest of their life?  Anyhow, why haven't you mentioned Air Supply's music on that short list?
{#Propeller} 

 
Electricity? No problem

 

Image result for picture of MAcGruber


This sure is getting played a lot lately.
I've always felt that Mike Mills was sort of a rein on Stipe's penchant for going off the unintelligible end. I'm not sure that it worked with the all of R.E.M.'s oeuvre, but it did with this one.
Too short
 treatment_bound wrote:
Paging romeotuma!  Come in please, romeotuma!!
  
This song is soooo good it puts a spring in my step these last days of summer...  hope life be grand for you, treatment_bound...

 dingleberry wrote:
I have a running argument with a friend as to whose music would make it to our desert island. And so he is horribly offended that I would take REM over the Clash, but songs like this are the reason why.
 
Doesn't it seem like time for that scenario to go away?  First of all, what would one use for electricity on this uncharted desert island unless Gilligan and the Professor are going to rig up some sort of solar/coconut-powered generator?  Wouldn't acquiring food, water, and shelter be much more important than wondering what one musical work one would be condemned to listening to for the rest of their life?  Anyhow, why haven't you mentioned Air Supply's music on that short list?
{#Propeller} 
great fireside song!
Agreed REM>Clash too much catelogue for Clash to compete. 

dingleberry wrote:
I have a running argument with a friend as to whose music would make it to our desert island. And so he is horribly offended that I would take REM over the Clash, but songs like this are the reason why.

 


I have a running argument with a friend as to whose music would make it to our desert island. And so he is horribly offended that I would take REM over the Clash, but songs like this are the reason why.
Cry Cry Cry's version is worth a spin.
One of my all time favorite REM tunes
So. Good. 

My favorite part is the layered vocals in the chorus.  Absolutely lovely.   
 jnhashmi wrote:
I love R.E.M. All of it. Right up to and including the last album. My favorite albums span across their whole catalog - from Life's Rich Pageant to Reveal. I pretty much love them all.

 
Agreed! I recently went through every album in chronological order.  
I love R.E.M. All of it. Right up to and including the last album. My favorite albums span across their whole catalog - from Life's Rich Pageant to Reveal. I pretty much love them all.
 justin4kick wrote:
Pity they stopped.

 

It is, way back in 1991 was when that was I believe.  More of a pity they kept playing all those years after anyway.
This has been a really groovy hour for me, filled with folk-y, baroque-y, and psychedelic tunes.  I was going to post after Sarah McLachlan, but then Bill put on "My Kingdom" and kept on going.  After this tune he's dropped Alison Krauss "Paper Airplane," and before I'm done "Refugee" by Oi Va Voi. 

Set so far = 9, even though I've rated down to a 6 ("Cutting Out" probably 7.5 in this set) and 7 ("Fall On Me" not my super-fave R.E.M.). 

9:10 pm - R.E.M. - Fall On Me
9:08 pm - Elliott Smith - Between The Bars
9:05 pm - Sam Phillips - Edge of the World
9:02 pm - Lloyd Cole - Cutting Out

8:58 pm - Gorillaz - On Melancholy Hill
8:54 pm - Echo & The Bunnymen - My Kingdom
8:50 pm - Sarah McLachlan - World on Fire
8:45 pm - Ray LaMontagne - Beg Steal or Borrow

8:39 pm - Loreena Mckennitt - The Dark Night Of The Soul
8:30 pm - The Moody Blues - Tuesday Afternoon
{#Bananajam}
Great song from my favourite R.E.M. album.
 suesblues wrote:

Lazarus, did you happen to be Romeotuma in a past life?
 

Indeed...  I be the holy ghost of big stud Romeo Tuma...  hope you are having a marvelous time right this minute...

love this song soooo much...
 
 Lazarus wrote:

This song is soooo good it puts a spring in my step this first day of summer...


 
Lazarus, did you happen to be Romeotuma in a past life?
REM at their melodic, harmonising, idealistic best, LOVE this song....... (but it makes me a bit nostalgic - Gen X have a lot going for us :-))

This song is soooo good it puts a spring in my step this first day of summer...

this whole album is a perfect 10  {#Cowboy}
Damn this is good!!
 mojcamojca77 wrote:

But not in the church, I guess;-)
 
Oh, yes, we be dancing in the pews...  love this marvelous song...

hope you be having a fine time right this minute...
 
YES.  Hoppy Friday, y'all  {#Cowboy} {#Music}
 Lazarus wrote:

We be dancing on the tables...  love this song...



 
But not in the church, I guess;-)

We be dancing on the tables...  love this song...


 Sasha2001 wrote:
Easily one of my favorite R.E.M. songs and, if I'm truly honest with myself, probably one of my favorite songs of all time.

 
Oh yes definitely this
 Rockit wrote:


Romeo has now found religion, I think, & is now Lazarus!
 

Everybody in my church loves this song!
 
 suesblues wrote:

yes I wouldn't mind knowing as well.......!

PS still LOVE this song...
 
Why not just ask him? FWIW, he was taking a lot of guff for his song comments. 
 suesblues wrote:

yes I wouldn't mind knowing as well.......!

PS still LOVE this song...
 

Romeo has now found religion, I think, & is now Lazarus!
 treatment_bound wrote:


Can someone please explain to me why romeotuma is now listed as (former member)?
 
yes I wouldn't mind knowing as well.......!

PS still LOVE this song...
You know how to bring a smile to this listeners face. Still enjoyable as it was when new. Great rhythms and melody. Thank you!
This album certainly got me through some interesting times...and still seems interesting after all this time!
When REM was real good.
 justin4kick wrote:
Pity they stopped.
 



..cool their music will last forever, though..

..this is a sure-fire 10 for yers truly..
 Sasha2001 wrote:
Easily one of my favorite R.E.M. songs and, if I'm truly honest with myself, probably one of my favorite songs of all time.
 
I share the sentiment about the band's repertoire. For me not of all time...but I do very much like the tune.
 (former member) wrote:


People are dancing on the tables here...  love this song!

 
 



Can someone please explain to me why romeotuma is now listed as (former member)?