30년이라는 기나긴 커리어를 갖고 있음에도 불구하고 R.E.M.은 아직까지 현재 진행형의 밴드이자 락음악사에 기억될만한 14장의 작품을 발표해왔다. 초기 컬리지 락의 새로운 물결을 불러일으킨 지도자로 각인된 언더그라운드 시절부터 90년대 얼터너티브 락 무브먼트를 촉발시키는데 기여하기까지 그들이 발표한 작품들 중에서 중요하지 않은 것은 없다고 할 수 있을 정도로 R.E.M.은 70년대 펑크 시대 이후에 등장한 락 밴드 중에 가장 영향력 있는 밴드로 군림하고 있다. R.E.M.과 현재까지 비교 가능한 밴드들을 열거해보자면 U2와 폴리스(Police), 그리고 조금 비약적일지도 모르겠지만 소닉 유스(Sonic Youth)정도가 아닐까? 하지만 이러한 밴드들과 어깨를 나란히 할 정도라면 R.E.M.을 잘 모르는 사람조차 그들의 존재감을 조금이나마 가늠해볼 수 있지 않을까한다. 너바나(Nirvana)의 커트 코베인(Kurt Cobain)과 래디오헤드(Radiohead)의 톰 요크(Thom Yorke), 그리고 라이브(Live)의 에드 코왈칙(Ed Kowalczyk), 콜드플레이(Coldplay)의 크리스 마틴(Chris Martin)이 R.E.M.의 영향을 받았다는 사실은 새삼스럽게 언급할 필요조차 없을 정도로 유명하며, 그들의 음악에 자극을 받아 음악을 시작하게 된 얼터너티브 락 밴드들은 부지기수로 많을 것이다. R.E.M.은 동시대의 사람들에게 음악의 상업적 가치보다도 음악적 가치에 대해 먼저 생각하게끔 만들었고 자신들의 시각이 음악이 지닌 실천의 문제와 직접적으로 연관되었음을 강조해왔다. 그렇기 때문에 많은 후배 밴드들이 그들의 음악에 계속 주목해왔던 것인지도 모른다. 아직까지 수많은 팬들이 R,E.M.이라는 밴드를 통해서 가슴속에 아로 새겨 온 말은 ‘순수함’, ‘용기’, ‘희망’, ‘꿈’이라고 말할 수 있는 숭고함이다. R.E.M.을 이해하기 위한 여러 가지 요소가 있다. 그중에서 가장 특징적인 밑그림을 몇 가지 그려보자면, 마이크 스타이프(Michael Stipe)의 신비한 노래와 예술가적인 기질, 가사에 담긴 문학성, 시간의 굴레에 구속받지 않는 참신한 음악성(R.E.M.의 초기작들은 지금 들어도 멋지다), 서정적인 팝 사운드 등이 있다. 물론, 밴드의 좌파적인 기질과 정치적인 성향, 그리고 환경운동을 바라보는 독자적인 시각으로 인해 R.E.M.을 포스트 모더니즘 음악의 기수로서 인식하는 경향이 우세하지만 개인적으로 그런 바운더리가 이들의 음악을 모두 표현할 수는 없다고 생각한다. R.E.M.의 음악이 대중적으로도 굉장히 성공했다는 것은 그들의 음악이 존재감 있는 락음악 팬들부터 일반 대중들에게까지 널리 사랑받고 있다는 증거이다. 또한, [Automatic for the People]과 같은 밴드의 90년대 작들을 살펴보면 전적으로는 아니지만 초창기의 정치적인 구호나 투쟁적인 모습보다도 내성적이면서 철학적인 주제로 이동하면서 더욱 인간적이며 지속성이 강한 음악가의 모습이 부각되었다고 생각한다. 지금까지 트렌드에 반응하며 곡을 만들어온 일이 없다는 점도 R.E.M.이 높이 평가받는 이유이다. 한국에서는 [Out of Time] 앨범에 수록된 ‘Losing My Religion’이라는 히트곡 하나로 R.E.M.을 바라보는 경향이 강한데, 베스트 앨범 [In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003]에 수록된 곡들만 들어봐도 그들이 수십 년간 많은 히트곡과 함께 했다는 것을 알 수 있을 것이다. .... ....
Readying to bury your father and your mother, what did you think when you lost another? I used to wonder why did you bother, distanced from one, blind to the other.
Listen here my sister and my brother what would you care if you lost the other? I always wonder why did we bother, distanced from one, blind to the other.
Oh..., oh..., but sweetness follows
It's these little things, they can pull you under. Live your life filled with joy and wonder. I always knew this altogether thunder was lost in our little lives.
Oh..., oh..., but sweetness follows. Oh..., oh..., but sweetness follows.
It's these little things, they can pull you under. Live your life filled with joy and thunder. Yeah, yeah we were altogether lost in our little lives.
Oh..., Oh..., Ah...
Oh, oh, but sweetness follows. Oh, oh, oh, but sweetness follows.
Makin' a livin' the old hard way Takin' and givin' by day by day I dig snow and rain and the bright sunshine Draggin' The Line
My dog Sam eats purple flowers Ain't got much, but what we got's ours We dig snow and rain and the bright sunshine Draggin' The Line (Draggin' The Line) Draggin' The Line (Draggin' The Line)
I feel fine, I'm talkin' 'bout peace of mind I'm gonna take my time, I'm gettin' the good sign Draggin' The Line (Draggin' The Line) Draggin' The Line (Draggin' The Line)
Lovin' the free and feelin spirit of hugging a tree when you get near it. Diggin' snow and rain and the bright sunshine Draggin' The Line (Draggin' The Line) Draggin' The Line (Draggin' The Line
I feel it in my fingers I feel it in my toes love is all around me and so the feeling grows
it's written on the wind thats everywhere I go so if you really love me come on and let it show
you know I love you I always will my mind's maid up by the way that I feel
there's no beginning there be no end cause on my love you can depend
I see your face before me as I lay on my bed I kind a get to thinking of all the things we said
you gave your promise to me and I gave mine to you I need someone beside me in everything I do
you know I love you I always will my mind's maid up by the way that I feel
there's no beginning there be no end cause on my love you can depend
it's written on the wind thats everywhere I go so if you really love me come on and let it show come on and let it show come on and let it show come on and let it show come on and let it show come on and let it show come on and let it show come on and let it show
I was hungry when I said I never got to sleep You go ahead You can get whatever you want There's a feeling in my belly It's the new tomorrow scene It's an interesting job It's the fireworks
*I don't need it (I don't need it) I hit my head (he hit his head) I can't feel anything You gave too much away You came to say It's a free world baby And you gave too much away(get whatever you want)
Me, I'm tired of this candy My teeth ache my head
**Boys in bed, girls in bed All now go to sleep Sleep, sweet dreams Wake to a new today tomorrow
Nothing could be bring me closer Nothing could be bring me near Where is the road I follow? Believing, leave
It's under, under, under my feet The scene spread out there before me Better I go where the land touches the sea There is my trust in what I believe
[Chorus:] That's what keeps me, That's what keeps me, That's what keeps me down, To leave it, believe it, Leave it all behind
Shifting the dream Nothing could bring me further from my old friend time Shifting the dream Charging the scene I know where I marked the signs Suffer the dreams of a world gone mad I like it like that and I know it
I know it well, ugly and sweet A temperament who said believe in his dream
That's what keeps me That's what keeps me That's what keeps me down I set it on there lightly I sent it off in an airplane That never left the ground
[Chorus]
Lift me, lift me, I attain my dream I lost myself, I lost them Heartache calling me I lost myself in sorrow I lost myself in pain I lost myself in gravity, Memory, leave, leave, leave
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Midnight hands, my eyes are still I walk into the scene Shoot myself in a different place Leavin'
Longed for this to take me, Longed for my release Waited for the coming Leavin', leave
I fell asleep and read just about every paragraph. Read the scene where gravity is pulling me around Peel back the mountains peel back the sky Stomp gravity into the floor
It's a Man Ray kind of sky Let me show you what I can do with it Time and distance are out of place here Step up, step up, step up the sky is open-armed When the light is mine, I felt gravity pull
Somewhere near the end it said "You can't do this", I said "I can too" Shift sway rivers shift, oceans fall and mountains drift
It's a Man Ray kind of sky Let me show you what I can do with it Step up, step up, step up the sky is open-armed When the light is mine, I felt gravity pull onto my eyes,
Holding my head straight (looking down). This is the easiest task I've ever had to do... I fell asleep and read just about every paragraph Read the scene where gravity is pulling me around Shift the swaying river's shift, Oceans fall and mountains drift
It's a Man Ray kind of sky Let me show you what I can do with it Time and distance are out of place here Step up, step up, step up the sky is open-armed When the light is mine, I felt gravity pull onto my eyes,
Holding my head straight (looking down). This is the easiest task I've ever had to do... Reason had harnessed the tame Holding the sky in their arms Gravity pulls me down
He's not to be reached, he's to be reached. He's not to be reached, he's to be reached.
Called the fool and the company, On his own where he'd rather be. Where he ought to be, he sees what you can't see, can't you see that?
Maybe he's caught in the legend, maybe he's caught in the mood. Maybe these maps and legends have been misunderstood.
Down the way the road's divided, Paint me the places you have seen. Those who know what I don't know refer to the yellow, red and green
Maybe he's caught in the legend, maybe he's caught in the mood. Maybe these maps and legends have been misunderstood.
He's not to be reached, he's to be reached. (4 times)
The map that you painted didn't seem real. He just sings whatever he's seen Point to the legend, point to the east, Point to the yellow, red and green
Maybe he's caught in the legend, maybe he's caught in the mood. Maybe these maps and legends have been misunderstood, been misunderstood. (Maps and legends)
(Maps and legends) Is he to be reached? He's not to be reached. (Maps and legends) Is he to be reached? He's not to be reached. (Maps and legends) Is he to be reached? He's not to be reached anymore.
The walls are built up, stone by stone, the fields divided one by one. And the train conductor says "Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break We've been on this shift too long"
And the train conductor says "Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break We can reach our destination, but we're still a ways away"
I saw a treehouse on the outskirts of the farm. The power lines have floaters so the airplanes won't get snagged. Bells are ringing through the town again, Children look up, all they hear is sky-blue, bells ringing
And the train conductor says "Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break We can reach our destination, but we're still a ways away"
Way to shield the hated heat. Way to put myself to sleep. Way to shield the hated heat. Way to put myself, my children to sleep.
He piloted this song in a plane like that one. She is selling faith on the Go Tell crusade. Locomotive 8, Southern Crescent, hear the bells ring again. Field to weed is lookin' thin
And the train conductor says "Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break We've been on this shift too long." And the train conductor says "Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break We can reach our destination, but we're still a ways away"
Burn bright through the night, two pockets lead the way To doors to go between the wall was raised today To doors remain before your others and your own Keep these books well stocked away and take your happy home
My carpenter's out and running about, talking to the street My pockets are out and running about Barking in the street to tell what I have hidden there
Burn bright through the night, two pockets lead the way Two doors to go between the wall was raised today Raise the walls and shout its flaws, a carpenter should rest So that when you tire of one side the other serves you best
My carpenter's out and running about, talking to the street My pockets are out and running about Barking in the street to tell what I have hidden there
The hills ringing hear the words in time Listen to the holler, listen to my walls within my tongue Can't you see you made my ears go tin? The air quicken tension building inference suddenly
Life and how to live it
Raise the walls and shout its flaws, a carpenter should rest So that when you tire of one side the other serves you best Read about the wisdom lost, a knock, a knock, a knock A secret knock one hammer's locked the other wisdom lost
My carpenter's out and running about, talking to the street My pockets are out and running about Barking in the street to tell what I have hidden there
My carpenter's out and running about, barking in the, listen to the holler My pockets are out and running about Barking in the street to tell what I have hidden there
Listen, listen to the holler, If I write a book it will be called "Life and How to Live It"
Old Man Kensey wants to be a sign painter First he's got to learn to read He's gonna be a clown on TV Flexes his elbow taunt and free That's my folly, I believe Drink up the lake Kensey's awake That's my folly, that's my mistake
Old Man Kensey wants to be a goalie First he's got to learn to count He's gonna be a clown on a circus mount Letters to be signed and dropped off Kensey's going far John, Bill and Ed, stand on your head That's my folly, I'm ready to go
Old Man Kensey wants to be a dog catcher First he's got to learn to stand He's gonna be a clown in a marching band Letters to be signed ransom greed That's my folly, I believe Drink up the lake, John, Bill and Ed, That's my folly, that's my mistake Kensey's awake, stand on your head That's my folly, I'm ready to go
When the world is a monster Bad to swallow you whole Kick the clay that holds the teeth in Throw your trolls out the door If you're needing inspiration Philomath is where I go by dawn Lawyer Jeff he knows the lowdown He's mighty bad to visit home
I've been there I know the way Can't get there from here I've been there I know the way Can't get there from here I've been there I know the way Can't get there from here I've been there I know the way
When your hands are feeling empty Stick head jumpin off the ground, 'round Tris is sure to shirr the deers out Brother Ray can sing my song
I've been there I know the way Can't get there from here I've been there I know the way Can't get there from here I've been there I know the way Can't get there from here I've been there I know the way
Hands down, Calechee bound Landlocked kiss the ground Dirt of seven continents going round and round Go on ahead Mr. Citywide hypnotized, suit and tied Gentlemen, testify
If your world is a monster Bad to swallow you whole Philomath they know the lowdown Throw your trolls out the door
I've been there I know the way Can't get there from here I've been there I know the way Can't get there from here I've been there I know the way Can't get there from here I've been there I know the way
The wheelbarrow's fallen. Look at my hands They've found some surplus cheaper hands Rubbing palms and pick and choose, who will they choose? Here is the news. Look at that building, look at this man Haloed and whitewashed gone to find a cheaper hand He'll offer a pound, offer a pound.
Green grow the rushes go. Green grow the rushes go Green grow the rushes go The compass points the workers home
Pay for your freedom, find another gate Guilt by associate, the rushes wilted a long time ago Guilty as you go. Stay off that highway, word is it's not so safe The grasses that hide the greenback the amber waves of gain again The amber waves of gain.
Green grow the rushes go. Green grow the rushes go. Green grow the rushes go. The compass points the workers home.
Green grow the rushes go. Green grow the rushes go. Green grow the rushes go. Green grow the rushes go. Green grow the rushes go. Green grow the rushes go.
Who will stand alone? She carried ribbons, she wore them out Courage built a bridge, jealous tore it down At least it's something you've left behind like Kohoutek, you were gone. We sat in the garden, we stood on the porch I won't deny myself, we never talked
She wore bangles, she wore bells on her toes and she jumped like a fish Like a flyin' friend, you were gone like Kohoutek, can't forget that Fever built a bridge, reason tore it down If I am one to follow.. who will stand alone?
Maybe you're not the problem scissors, paper, stone If you stand and holler, these prayers will talk
She carried ribbons, she wore them out Michael built a bridge...Michael tore it down At least it's something you've left behind like Kohoutek, you were gone.
Michael built a bridge... Michael tore it down If I stand and holler... will I stand alone
She didn't want to get pinned down by her prior town Get me to the train on time, here take this nickel make a dime Take this penny and make it into a necklace when I leave What is at the other end, I don't know another friend Another wife, another morning spent Listen, listen to the auctioneer Another engine, another engine
We never wrote the reasons that I need explained Some things are givens, and others get away This time its for myself you call it what you may Okay, we won't say goodbye so long, so much more Listen to the auctioneer Another engine, another engine
Listen to the bargain holler Listen to the barter holler Listen to the auctioneer
Get me to the train on time here take this nickel make a dime Take this penny and make it into a necklace when I leave What is at the other end, and I don't know another friend Another wife, another morning spent Listen to the auctioneer Another engine, another engine
Do I stand the bargain holler? Listen to the barter holler Listen to the auctioneer
When you greet a stranger look at his shoes Keep your money in your shoes put your trouble behind When you greet a stranger look at her hands Keep your money in your hands put your travel behind Who are you going to call for, what do you have to say? Keep your hat on your head home is a long way away
At the end of the day, I'll forget your name I'd like it here if I could leave and see you from a long way away
When you greet a stranger, look at his shoes Keep you memories in your shoes, put your travel behind Who are you going to call for, what do you have to say? Keep your hat on your head. Home is a long way away.
At the end of the day, when there are no friends When there are no lovers, who are you going to call for? What do you have to change?
A familiar face a foreign place I'll forget your name I'd like it here if I could leave and see you from a long way away. Who are you going to call for, what do you have to say? Keep your hat on your head. Home is a long way away
That's when Wendell Gee takes a tug Upon the string that held the line of trees Behind the house he lived in He was reared to give respect But somewhere down the line he chose To whistle as the wind blows Whistle as the wind blows, with me
He had a dream one night That the tree had lost its middle So he built a trunk of chicken wire To try to hold it up But the wire, the wire turned to lizard skin And when he climbed inside There wasn't even time to say Goodbye to Wendell Gee So whistle as the wind blows Whistle as the wind blows, with me If the wind were colors And if the air could speak Then whistle as the wind blows Whistle as the wind blows
You're funny and you don't know why You're funny and you can't even cry You're funny and you don't know why You're funny and you don't even try Cause your head's shaking cause your arms are shaking And your feet are shaking cause the earth is shaking
You're hungry and you don't know why You're hungry and you can't even cry You're hungry and you don't know why You're hungry and you don't even cry
You take a walk and you try to understand Nothing can hurt you Unless you want it to There are no answers Many reasons to be strong You take a walk you take a walk You take a walk and you try to understand
You're in love and you don't know why You're in love and you can't even cry You're in love and you don't know why You're in love and you don't even try
Ⅰ. R.E.M.(Rapid Eyes movement) 수면 인간의 수면(睡眠), 그리고 수면하는 동안에 일어나는 뇌파의 변화에 대한 지속적인 연구가 진행됨에 따라 그동안 정설처럼 믿어졌던 R.E.M 수면에 대한 중요한 가설들이 수정되어야 할 단계에 이르렀다. 〈네이쳐〉인터넷 판에 최근 실린 기사에 따르면 뇌의 후두엽을 다친 후 꿈을 꾸지 못 하게 된 73세의 여성 환자를 스위스 취리히 의대 클라우디오 바세티 박사가 관찰한 결과 정상인과 같은 R.E.M(Rapid Eyes Movement)수면 패턴을 지니고 있음을 발견했다. 결국 지금까지 R.E.M 수면은 꿈을 꾸는 시간(혹은 꿈을 인지하는 시간)이라는 상관관계가 수정 돼야 할 것 같다. 뿐 만 아니다. 2001년 11월 2일자 〈사이언스〉 지에 실린 기사...