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R.E.M., "Fall On Me"

75.25.148.228
Posted on July 19, 2016 at 21:22:20
Luminator
Audiophile

Posts: 7339
Location: Bay Area
Joined: December 11, 2000



"Lummy," emails one of my audiophile friends, "The guys are right. Keep it right here on 1986."

30 years ago, my high school's mascot was the now politically-incorrect Indian. Several students, including a fellow sophomore, actually got to don the costumes (above). But I actually had classes with her identical twin, who was more mousey, not as outgoing. I actually had a crush on the mascot's twin sister.

In maybe October '86, after school, my friends and I would play basketball on the outdoor courts. The mascot's twin passed by, and I decided to take a long way home, and go with her to the 29-Sunset bus stop. She had a Walkman with two headphone jacks. So I stuck my chartreuse yellow Sony Sports headphones into her Walkman. And while walking past the tennis courts, we heard R.E.M.'s "Fall On Me."

As much as she and I enjoyed that short song, I came to realize that she was way out of my league. She was far superior in smarts, self-control, cuteness, sweetness, class, music, languages, upbringing, home skills, typing, handwriting, drawing, and discipline. My only advantages were electronics, sports, and maybe humor.

The mascot's twin got off in the Sunset. When I finally got home, I turned on the TV. And wouldn't you know it, after a few videos, on came R.E.M.'s "Fall On Me." FML.

But anyway, R.E.M.'s "Fall On Me" has always been one of those lesser-known songs I bust out for audiophiles. Be careful with vinyl copies, which can become the sonic equivalent of looking at a funhouse mirror. The cassette actually sounds more "analog-like" than the vinyl my classmates and I suffered through.

-Lummy The Loch Monster

 

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"Life's Rich Pageant", posted on July 20, 2016 at 07:16:30
FenderLover
 Great album!

 

Superman!, posted on July 20, 2016 at 20:56:28
Luminator
Audiophile

Posts: 7339
Location: Bay Area
Joined: December 11, 2000



In Fall '86, we were sophomores, which meant we had P.E. R.E.M.'s inspirational "Superman" caused even the most hopelessly nonathletic nerds to don a cape and fly.

"Superman" was fun. We were gayly prancing, and doing our turbo-charged leaps over the hurdles. Except for my friend, OB. OB, who lived just a few blocks from me, was normally very athletic. But on this day, she was in a foul mood. She frowned, scowled, and huffed.

I jogged up to OB, and asked her what was wrong. Anyone else, she would have clawed his/her eyes out. But for me, OB put her hands on her hips, took a deep breath, and grumbled about hurdles: "I'm not splittin' my legs, and spewin' blood all over."

Oh.

But anyway, "Superman" seemed to portend bigger things for R.E.M. Indeed, when OB and I were juniors, R.E.M.'s next album, Document launched the band to alt-rock stardom.

In the photo above, I know not which student is playing the Indian mascot.

 

RE: Superman!, posted on July 21, 2016 at 05:44:48
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Anthrax did a number called "Indians".

 

Lowell HS, posted on July 21, 2016 at 06:31:37
FenderLover
 Lummy, did you go there? I have a friend (Tom Thacher) that went there. early 1980s.

 

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