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R.E.M. — Talk About the Passion
Album: Murmur
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1267









Released: 1983
Length: 3:08
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Empty prayer, empty mouths combien reaction
Empty prayer, empty mouths talk about the passion
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world

Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion

Empty prayer, empty mouths combien reaction
Empty prayer, empty mouths talk about the passion
Combien, combien, combien de temps?

Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Combien, combien, combien de temps?

Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Comments (117)add comment
Saw the Murmur tour in a dive bar in San Diego, my roommate got a signed copy, wish I had now as well, timeless beauty.
 joelbb wrote:

R.E.M. at their whiniest.  Gave it a 5 



Decent ! 
 Lazarus wrote:
 

I be the holy ghost of big stud Romeo Tuma...  this song is marvelous...  this album is marvelous...  time is definitely flying...
 
you occasionally make me chuckle... another CD in Kazoo 's collection that alerted me that we belonged together...I believe he had Rickie Lee Jones, or was it me? I had Tom Waits, I know that much. Time does fly doesn't it?

 itsme_bygolly wrote:
REM was the soundtrack of my youth.
 
Me too 🧡
REM was the soundtrack of my youth.
Good stuff and a band at their most creative.
I rated this song just a week ago, so, RP, why is it saying it's had Zero plays in the last 30 days?? ONE play is too many IMO!
One of the most overrated bands of the 80's IMO.
R.E.M. at their whiniest.  Gave it a 5 
The lyrics doesn't seem to be exact for some songs. Please fix it.
You're doing a great job. Thank you. :)
 
Bought a used CD of this recently. Wish i had discovered them back then.
1-800- Missing: Patient X.
 WonderLizard wrote:
I remember buying Murmur on the strength of a couple of its songs in "heavy rotation" on WHFS and being blown away by its originality.

 

Kudos to WHFS for playing R.E.M. at the beginning.  We had to wait 'til "Fall On Me" hit in the summer of '86 before any midwest stations except WXRT (right left of of the dial) would actually air their music.
I remember buying Murmur on the strength of a couple of its songs in "heavy rotation" on WHFS and being blown away by its originality.
Fucking brilliant. Simple,  understated,  and unparalleled. 
big stud Romeo Tuma wrote:
This song is from a great album...  it has held up thru the years...  time flies when you're having fun...
 

I be the holy ghost of big stud Romeo Tuma...  this song is marvelous...  this album is marvelous...  time is definitely flying...
 
 Papernapkin wrote:
R.E.M. is easy-listening music. Sounds like something John Denver would create.
 
I hope you're joking, as I really doubt we're going to be hearing an unreleased cover of "Annie's Song" when the 25th anniv. edition of Green shows up late next year.
 Papernapkin wrote:
R.E.M. is easy-listening music. Sounds like something John Denver would create.
 

{#Beat}
R.E.M. is easy-listening music. Sounds like something John Denver would create.
Little bit more passion, please - Michael S.!
 paulmack wrote:


I'm with you. I like this stuff alright - even saw them on the Murmur tour - but greatly prefer them from the Reckoning to Green era (when I did not see them live, ironically).
 
I don't think he is talking about that era, I think most (and rightfully so) consider the Reckoning to Green era early as well. To me the change from "old" to "new" REM occurred after 1991's Out of Time, they lost me after that.

 Sasha2001 wrote:
Just once before Oprah's last episode I'd like to see her surprise everyone in the audience with copies of "Murmur" under their seats.

"IT'S REM'S CLASSIC AAAAAAALBUM!"

Just to see middle aged women going nuts over REM.
 

 romeotuma wrote:
This song is from a great album...  it has held up thru the years...  time flies when you're having fun... 
{#Sunny}
Just once before Oprah's last episode I'd like to see her surprise everyone in the audience with copies of "Murmur" under their seats.

"IT'S REM'S CLASSIC AAAAAAALBUM!"

Just to see middle aged women going nuts over REM.

I want to like R.E.M. but I just don't. {#Puke}
Oh so good.
According to Berry, Buck, Mills & Stipe...not everyone can do this.




I second this.

 
HarrO wrote:
Finally, Bill digs out some good old REM !!!!! This is so far superior to the new album it's almost like a different group. More OLD REM please!!!!!   9
 


 TanteJensen wrote:
I know that makes me an exhibit, but I prefer their later stuff.
 

I'm with you. I like this stuff alright - even saw them on the Murmur tour - but greatly prefer them from the Reckoning to Green era (when I did not see them live, ironically).
Good tune from one of the best groups of the 80s and early 90s.
I know that makes me an exhibit, but I prefer their later stuff.
Love me some ol' REM, ever since the early 90s though, not so much......{#Frown}
Empty prayer, empty mouths, combien reaction
Empty prayer, empty mouths, talk about the passion
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world (chorus)
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Empty prayer, empty mouths, combien reaction
Empty prayer, empty mouths, talk about the passion
Combien, combien, combien de temps? (repeat chorus)
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Combien, combien, combien de temps?


Maybe one of the best albumn's ever.  (albumn?  How old are you dude?)
Finally, Bill digs out some good old REM !!!!! This is so far superior to the new album it's almost like a different group. More OLD REM please!!!!!   9
Favorite album (Murmur) by my favorite group (REM), preceded by my favorite solo artist (Steve Earle) ! What a deal!
 pushkinjim wrote:
It's official - REM as well as this song just plain pukes!

 

At least it ain't ABBA ! ! ! {#Puke}
RedGuitar wrote:
Love the early REM!
Still get tingles up my spine from that jangly guitar! Talk about the passion!
nice nice nice...hearing this at just the right time
It's official - REM as well as this song just plain pukes!
pushkinjim wrote:
Oh my gosh! Two weeks later and this song STILL SUCKS!
Hard to narrow down the best songs of one of the best groups of the latter part of the 20th century, but this is surely in the top 5...
Oh my gosh! Two weeks later and this song STILL SUCKS!
pushkinjim wrote:
Yes, REM - definitely overplayed. Bill, please get a clue - REM STILL SUCK!!!
The average rating of 8.1 from 326 people means that most RP listeners don't think it sucks. I guess Bill already has a clue.
Yes, REM - definitely overplayed. Bill, please get a clue - REM STILL SUCK!!!
TKTuttle wrote:
Passion — most overused word of the '90s. R.E.M. - most overplayed band on RP.
You got both answers wrong. Go to the back of the line.
davin wrote:
Amazing that this is 23 years old.
It's not so hard to believe. I'm well over 23 years old and my wife still thinks I rock. Yeah, right!
This song always makes me think of "and he played the guitar just like a'ringin' a bell."
I wish R.E.M. still made music this honest. Doesn't get much better.
spacemoose wrote:
Why do people confuse loose and lose?
Because people don't read, or forgot their English grammar, or slept through it, or, don't get me going....
zaknafein wrote:
Godlike in every sense.
I concur.
Godlike in every sense.
spacemoose wrote:
Why do people confuse loose and lose?
RP doesn't have grammar check.
Love the early REM!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. While new REM has its place, there is something about hearing anything from the early albums that just makes you sit back and enjoy. What great music.
mxdcec wrote:
Why do all bands loose that fresh energy that makes them so interesting to hear as they become successful?
because they have their entire lives to create their initial work. As they mature as men/women/artists, their passion (along with the time spent on that passion) changes...sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Often, if they are lucky, the cycle repeats and artists rekindle that fire mid-career....
Amazing that this is 23 years old.
Murmur and Reckoning are so strong, and were so fresh when they were released. Easily on my list of "desert island" records.
This is an excellent example of fantastic music. 10
I never tire of listening to early REM. This music really doesn't get old. Just the rest of us. Beauty of great music. Just ask Mozart.
window wrote:
Transcendent.
Don't you mean transplendent? (inside joke perhaps)
Transcendent.
TKTuttle wrote:
Passion — most overused word of the '90s. R.E.M. - most overplayed band on RP.
Funny, this song came out in 83.
spacemoose wrote:
Why do people confuse loose and lose?
I've found this to be one of the most common misspellings in the English language. Aaanyway...what a treat to hear this song on the 'radio'. Vintage R.E.M. A beautiful song, truly. Keep it up and ignore the haters.
Passion — most overused word of the '90s. R.E.M. - most overplayed band on RP.
spacemoose wrote:
Why do people confuse loose and lose?
...asks the spacemose. Likeable tune, anyway. Stipe's vocals are really strong here.
REM is one of the best bands of the last 25 years and this is where it all started (in 1983). Easy "Godlike" 10. One of the first albums I purchased a Compact Disc for. Talk about the passion...
mxdcec wrote:
Why do all bands loose that fresh energy that makes them so interesting to hear as they become successful?
Why do people confuse loose and lose?
Death_to_Clear_Channel wrote:
"Not bad"? Try outstanding.
yep
"Not bad"? Try outstanding.
Huh. I never understood why people thought Toad the Wet Sprocket sounded like REM. Wow do I understand now.
yep
Tux wrote:
Quite avarage - for REM standards. I've heard better stuff from them. Not bad though.
Um.. okay.
Yummy!
reedifus wrote:
bonehead (REM's first album!)
Comment still valid though - last two REM albums were very weak indeed, and U2 haven't been decent since Zooropa. In mitigation though, if you look at the sheer quantity of excellent stuff they have done, a few weak efforts in their twilight years can surely be overlooked.
mxdcec wrote:
Why do all bands loose that fresh energy that makes them so interesting to hear as they become successful?
bonehead (REM's first album!)
Now that I've been able to read some of REM's early lyrics, I've begun to understand why Michael Stipe used to mumble.
These guys can do no wrong. Even when they miss the mark, they're still great.
Aaahhh the early days of REM.... This song and 'Ages of You' from Dead Letter Office have been rolling through my brain lately..good stuff !
radiozep wrote:
Ah, come on, throw in Fables. Love that album.
I love that one too. Don't care that it is REM's least favorite.
mxdcec wrote:
Why do all bands loose that fresh energy that makes them so interesting to hear as they become successful?
Erm, Murmur was REM's first album (after their pre-album EP Chronic Town), so this statement seems just a tad unreasonable. Reference their discography : (click here).
mxdcec wrote:
Why do all bands loose that fresh energy that makes them so interesting to hear as they become successful?
Sorry, but can't agree there... I think this stuff is great, but IMHO one of their best albums is "Automatic For The People"... One of things I like about REM is that they keep on changing, while never really losing their own sound... At least we seem to agree on how great this song is....
Empty prayer, empty mouths, combien reaction Empty prayer, empty mouths, talk about the passion Not everyone can carry the weight of the world Talk about the passion Combien , combien , combien du temps ? ) (The Hunger/Faith Song)
Classic REMÂ… Love it.
steeler wrote:
Murmur and Reckoning. Sublime.
Ah, come on, throw in Fables. Love that album.
Quite avarage - for REM standards. I've heard better stuff from them. Not bad though.
Why do all bands loose that fresh energy that makes them so interesting to hear as they become successful?
yogaboat wrote:
I really like this song! And what a great album - REM is probably my fave group if I had to pick one.
I think I agree on all points with you on this.
InTexas wrote:
I agree with the previous comments that this is truly a great song from a great album. However, don't give up on REM's newer stuff. Try out these more recent REM gems: "Hope" from Up, "I've Been High" (iTunes Originals), "Me in Honey" (live) from Crush in Eyeliner EP, "Bittersweet Me" from Bittersweet Me EP, "Imitation of Life" from All the Way to Reno EP. Great stuff!
I uploaded hope and it got sorried--bummer. It IS a good tune--as are several of these. Change--even from a favorite band--isn't necessarily bad. . . .
I think that when Bill left the band, the band left the train station. Especially live. They seem to phone it in these days. God bless early REM!
I agree with the previous comments that this is truly a great song from a great album. However, don't give up on REM's newer stuff. Try out these more recent REM gems: "Hope" from Up, "I've Been High" (iTunes Originals), "Me in Honey" (live) from Crush in Eyeliner EP, "Bittersweet Me" from Bittersweet Me EP, "Imitation of Life" from All the Way to Reno EP. Great stuff!
combien du temps? Pure magic.
Murmur and Reckoning. Sublime.
Darlington wrote:
Mine too, most probably. However, I have to say that their last album/cd is pretty weak compared to the rest of their stuff. This, however is Godlike.
REM used to be my favorite band. But I haven't liked much of their work since Automatic for the People. Hooray for classic stuff like this!
yogaboat wrote:
I really like this song! And what a great album - REM is probably my fave group if I had to pick one.
Mine too, most probably. However, I have to say that their last album/cd is pretty weak compared to the rest of their stuff. This, however is Godlike.
I really like this song! And what a great album - REM is probably my fave group if I had to pick one.
RichardPrins wrote:
8)
i'm perty sure you meant
R.E.M. before they lost their "special powers".
:sunny.gif:
Great song off their first LP. Saw them in concert in Indy in the fall and they were stuck on playing everything off their new album, a few things off Pageant and nothing from Murmur, Reckoning, or Fables. It was fun to finally see them but I missed the older stuff. I guess they are sick of playing it after 25 years.
:sunny.gif:
8)
A classic song from a classic album! Too bad no one makes records like this anymore - including, in fact especially, R.E.M. Love the beautiful guitar playing by Pete Buck and the indecipherable vocals by young Stipe.
Ah... Always loved this song... One of REM's best!
any REM where I can't understand the words is a classic in my book.
Yes, siree. A classic.
Ahhhhh....classic, AWESOME REM. One of my favorites! Greatest guitar riff everrrrr.
great tune. great band. p.s. hello minnesota.
Truely godlike.
Awesome! Great tune from a Top 5 album. :)