The title of this blog comes from the old R.E.M. song by the same name from the album Out of Time released in 1991. One notable thing about this song is that there is no electric guitar in it. There is, however, a rockin’ mandolin.
Most people, myself included, thought that Michael Stipe chose the title to rile people up. The truth is much different.
In the book R.E.M.: Talk About The Passion: An Oral History, it’s revealed that it comes from an old southern phrase for “going crazy.” If you don’t buy that you’re in good company – his 3 bandmates didn’t believe it either until Stipe’s aunt unintentionally confirmed it for them.
The video makes it clear:
Too bad more people don’t lose their religion in the literal sense of the phrase. This world would be so much better off.
I think it’s awesome that you titled your blog after an R.E.M. song – they were my favorite band in high school (only in the last decade has U2 usurped them). I still love the “Out of Time” album. One of their best, I think.
R.E.M. is such a “generational” band. If you weren’t a teen or older in the 80s I don’t know if you “get” them.
I don’t know, the video doesn’t clear it up for me. Still, it’s good to lose our “religion” and just let Christ live through us – that much, I get:-)
Contrary to “anonymous’ belief (above), people are hardwired to believe in something divine, and it is crazy to imagine that people do not.
For example, the recent movie “Expelled” showed how ridiculous “atheists” become when they chuck a more normal belief in the God that guided the great scientists of Western Civilization for hypotheses of aliens and the origin of life being born on the backs of crystals.
Furthermore, I liked how the documentary showed that atheism does not protect mankind from the human condition and the evil that men perpetrate upon one another; quite the opposite! In fact, it shows that sin is not unique to “religious” people.
I gotta see that documentary!
Atheists are fascinating people. I totally loved that Rick Warren debate with Harris in Time where in the end Harris admitted he had to have faith to believe in what he did.
Sooner or later, you and I will cross paths for some type of athletic endurance fun. Please send holiday regards to Diane, Mum & Dad, and Kurt.
“Expelled” is as good of a movie as “Fahrenheit 911″. They both attempt to represent true journalistic research when they both really just twist and distort the truth about actual events to whatever each of their aims was, to make the other side look like buffoons. Some basic research reveals both of them to be what they really are. Just like it is a shame for people who dislike Bush to believe the F911 movie, it is also a shame for Creationists to believe the Expelled movie is honest. It makes those of us who believe in the one true God look very unintelligent. We need to raise our standards higher than that, and with God’s help (or rather, let’s just perform God’s will) we can only win when we fight the good fight!
“It makes those of us who believe in the one true God look very unintelligent.”
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Jay! Just found this web site. It’s great!
Give me a ring sometime.
Great website! Very disconcerted that you called it an “old” R.E.M. song…when did 1991 get so far away?
Sorry but 91 is well within the rear view mirrow now
Back when Bill Berry was still drummin’…