Shiny Happy People
"Shiny Happy People" | ||||
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Single by R.E.M. | ||||
from the album Out of Time | ||||
B-side | "Forty Second Song" | |||
Released | May 6, 1991[1] | |||
Recorded | September–October 1990 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Warner Bros. | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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R.E.M. singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Shiny Happy People" on YouTube |
"Shiny Happy People" is a song by the American rock band
"Shiny Happy People" was released as a single in May 1991 in the United Kingdom, and four months later in the United States by
R.E.M. performed the song with Pierson on
Music
"Shiny Happy People" is described as an accessible and optimistic pop song.
R.E.M.'s lead singer, Michael Stipe, described "Shiny Happy People" as a "really fruity, kind of bubblegum song".[13][14] Pierson interpreted the line "throw your love around" to mean "to share your love and grow your love with others. It's not mindless at all. It's a song about spreading love."[15]
According to some reports, the phrase "shiny happy people" was taken from Chinese propaganda posters used after the
Critical reception
In an 2016 retrospective review, Justin Chadwick from Albumism described the song as "buoyant" and R.E.M.'s "most unabashedly pop-fueled composition of their career". He added further, "Regardless of the song's true inspirations or whether you care for the song or not, I suspect most can agree that the soaring backing vocals supplied by Kate Pierson ... are the unequivocal highlight."[14] In 1998, the Daily Vault's Christopher Thelen said it's the song "that dared to show a new side of R.E.M. — a, well, happy side. Who woulda thunk it? The song is a tad cornball, but is infectiously catchy, nonetheless."[29]
Music video
The accompanying music video for "Shiny Happy People" was directed by American film and music video director
Legacy
In its 2006 "Song of the Summer" countdown, CBC Radio's Freestyle named "Shiny Happy People" 1991's "Song of the Summer".[30][31] By contrast, in 2006, the song received the No. 1 position on AOL Music's list of the "111 Wussiest Songs of All Time".[32] Blender magazine also ranked the song No. 35 on its list of the "50 Worst Songs Ever",[33] and Q included it in a list of "Ten Terrible Records by Great Artists" in 2005.[34]
When Stipe made an appearance on Space Ghost Coast to Coast in 1995, he said he hated the song. It was one of their few Warner-released singles not included on their 2003 greatest hits album In Time, and R.E.M. have rarely played it.[2] However, over time, Stipe's position on the song has softened. Speaking in 2011, Stipe said he was "always at peace" with it, but that it was "embarrassing" that it had become a hit.[13] He said:
Many people's idea of R.E.M, and me in particular, is very serious, with me being a very serious kind of poet. But I'm also actually quite funny – hey, my bandmates think so, my family thinks so, my boyfriend thinks so, so I must be – but that doesn't always come through in the music.... (But) I'm in 'Shiny Happy People', 'Stand', 'Pop Song 89', 'Get Up', too. Our fruitloop songs![13]
Track listings
All songs were written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe unless otherwise stated.
- "Shiny Happy People" (album version) – 3:44
- "Forty Second Song" – 1:20
- "Shiny Happy People" – 3:45
- "Forty Second Song" – 1:20
- "Losing My Religion" (live acoustic version, recorded on Rockline, April 1, 1991.) – 4:36
- UK limited-edition CD single[41]
- "Shiny Happy People" – 3:45
- "I Remember California" (live, from Tourfilm) – 5:42
- "Get Up" (live, from Tourfilm) – 3:15
- "Pop Song '89" (live, from Tourfilm) – 3:30
Personnel
Personnel are adapted from the Out of Time liner notes.[42]
R.E.M.
- Bill Berry – drums, percussion
- Peter Buck – electric guitar
- Mike Mills – bass guitar, vocals, organ
- Michael Stipe – lead vocals
Additional musicians
- David Arenz – violin
- Ellie Arenz – violin
- Mark Bingham – string arrangements
- David Braitberg – violin
- Andrew Cox – cello
- Reid Harris – viola
- Peter Holsapple – acoustic guitar
- Ralph Jones – double bass
- Dave Kempers – violin
- Elizabeth Murphy – cello
- Paul Murphy – lead viola
- Kate Pierson – vocals
- Jay Weigel – orchestral liaison
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Italy (FIMI)[70] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[71] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. May 4, 1991. p. 31.
- ^ a b O'Neal, Sean (January 29, 2015). ""Shiny Happy People" and a young man's blossoming into cynicism". Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ Andrew Marr (November 20, 2016). REM Talk Donald Trump on Andrew Marr show, Michael Stipe Mike Mills. YouTube. The Andrew Marr Show. BBC. Archived from the original on November 21, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
- ^ "In Defense of… R.E.M.'s 'Shiny Happy People'". November 10, 2017.
- ^ a b c Katherine, Dieckmann (August 23, 1991). "On the set of "Shiny Happy People"". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Saturday Night Live - Season 16, Episode 17: Catherine O'Hara/R.E.M. - TV.com
- ^ a b Flick, Larry (July 27, 1991). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 67. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- ^ a b "Picks and Pans Review: Out of Time". People Magazine. May 6, 1991. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ a b Frith, Mark (May 15, 1991). "Review: Singles". Smash Hits. p. 44. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ a b Fricke, David (March 9, 1991). "Albums". Melody Maker. p. 31. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^ Chadwick, Justin (March 10, 2016). "R.E.M.'s 'Out of Time' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Ivie, Devon (March 11, 2021). "Kate Pierson Likes to Think 'Shiny Happy People' Was an 'Homage to the B-52's'". Vulture. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
It's long been purported by fans that "Shiny Happy People" was written about the propagandistic aftermath of China's Tiananmen Square massacre. However, there's not a verified quote from Stipe or any other R.E.M. member that supports this theory.
- ^ a b c Rogers, Jude (November 12, 2011). "Michael Stipe's last stand — an R.E.M. exit interview". The Quietus. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
- ^ a b Chadwick, Justin (March 10, 2016). "R.E.M.'s 'Out of Time' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- ^ Chadwick, Justin (March 10, 2016). "R.E.M.'s 'Out of Time' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- Far Out Magazine. September 17, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
- ^ Wagamese, Richard (March 17, 1991). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald.
- ^ Drogheda Independent. July 16, 1999. p.19.
- ^ "Out Of Time". Dundee Courier. March 28, 1991. p. 18.
- ^ "R.E.M. rocking with Monsters". Evening Herald. September 23, 1994. p.16.
- ^ "Near miss". Liverpool Echo. April 15, 1991. p. 30.
- ^ Lester, Paul (May 11, 1991). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 34. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ "New Releases: Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. March 30, 1991. p. 12. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. June 8, 1991. p. 12. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- NME. p. 30. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^ Farber, Celia (March 1991). "Spins". Spin. p. 73. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ "Zombies and Elvis Presley Wine". Sunday Tribune. March 10, 1991. p.26.
- ^ "Top Ten Dubun Movies". Sunday Tribune. October 11, 1992. p.28.
- ^ Thelen, Christopher (July 5, 1998). "Out Of Time – R.E.M." The Daily Vault. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- ^ "Pursuit Of Happiness - Love & Happiness Tips". Retrieved March 14, 2012.
- ^ "How To Reach The Happiness".
- ^ "The 111 Wussiest Songs of All Time (No. 1)". AOL Music. Archived from the original on August 26, 2006. Retrieved August 20, 2006.
- ^ Run for Your Life! It's the 50 Worst Songs Ever! from Blender.com. Retrieved on May 3, 2008. Archived April 30, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Kirby, Terry (December 11, 2006). "If you're happy and you know it, listen to Lily. If not, it's the Verve". The Independent.
- ^ Shiny Happy People (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). R.E.M. Warner Bros. Records. 1991. 7-19242.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Shiny Happy People (US cassette single cassette notes). R.E.M. Warner Bros. Records. 1991. 4-19242.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Shiny Happy People (UK 7-inch single sleeve). R.E.M. Warner Bros. Records. 1991. W0027, 5439-19307-7.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Shiny Happy People (UK cassette single sleeve). R.E.M. Warner Bros. Records. 1991. W0027C, 5439 19307-4.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Shiny Happy People (UK 12-inch single sleeve). R.E.M. Warner Bros. Records. 1991. W0027T, 9362-40078-0.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Shiny Happy People (UK CD single liner notes). R.E.M. Warner Bros. Records. 1991. W0027CD, 9362 40078-2.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Shiny Happy People (UK limited CD single liner notes). R.E.M. Warner Bros. Records. 1991. W0027CDX, 9362 40079-2.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Out of Time (US CD album liner notes). R.E.M. Warner Bros. Records. 1991. 9 26496-2.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "R.E.M. – Shiny Happy People". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "R.E.M. – Shiny Happy People" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "R.E.M. – Shiny Happy People" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1648." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 26. June 29, 1991. p. 25. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
- Les classement single. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "R.E.M. – Shiny Happy People" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Shiny Happy People". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 27, 1991" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
- ^ "R.E.M. – Shiny Happy People" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "R.E.M. – Shiny Happy People". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "R.E.M. – Shiny Happy People". VG-lista. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "R.E.M. – Shiny Happy People". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ISBN 978-0-89820-209-0.
- ^ "R.E.M. Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "R.E.M. Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "R.E.M. Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "R.E.M. Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1991" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
- ^ "RPM 100 Hit Tracks of 1991". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 1991" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. December 21, 1991. p. 21. Retrieved January 17, 2020 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "EHR Year-End Top 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. December 21, 1991. p. 20. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- GfK Entertainment. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
- ^ "1991 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. January 11, 1992. p. 20.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1991". Retrieved August 11, 2017.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – R.E.M. – Shiny Happy People" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved August 30, 2021. Select "2021" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Shiny Happy People" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "British single certifications – REM – Shiny Happy People". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 19, 2022.