Four years ago today, I faced one of the most important professional days in my life. I had to prepare for an event on June 12 which had to go perfectly. All the stress of that reality, however, gave way to something else.
I had tickets to see R.E.M. the night before my big day. Little did I know it, but this would be the last time I would see my favorite band perform live.
I feel conflicted about all of this. After all, I could have not gone to the show because of my work stress. If I had missed their last tour, I would not have forgiven myself.
But the show I did see did not meet my expectations. I know that sounds selfish, but I have seen the band enough and follow their tour exploits that I can’t help it.
The folks the night before got “Harborcoat” where I got “Finest Worksong.” My encore went right from “Fall on Me” into “Man on the Moon.” The nights bookending my show added “Pretty Persuasion” or “Sitting Still” between those.
But the further away from the show I get, the less it bothers me. I got “Little America” and “Driver 8.” I got to see Peter Buck screw up “Rockville” (in the video below). And I got possibly my favorite R.E.M. concert moment ever.
Near the end of the main set, they ripped into “These Days.” I love the song, especially live. As Stipe headed into the first chorus, he sang words I worked really hard to decipher over the years.
I had a hat, and it sunk, reached down, yanked it up, slapped it on my head*
I sang it along with him as loud as I could. As I finished the line, the guy in front of me turned around and had the biggest smile on his face. he gave me a big double high-five which clearly indicated our membership in the club of people so obsessed with this band that we’re impressed when someone else knows an obtuse lyric.
I may not have heard “1,000,000” like the people the night before me, but I have this going for me. Which is nice.
* – The album lyric is I had a hat, put it down and it sunk, reached down, yanked it up, slapped it on my head but Michael Stipe has left out the “put it down” part for a while now.