Musical Rediscovery

On somewhat of a whim I purchased R.E.M. The Best of the I.R.S. Years 1982-1987 And I Feel Fine... last night at the local Wal-Hell. I've always liked R.E.M., but I admit that I got into their music later in their catalog, mostly the late 80's and early 90's releases. I don't know why I never really went back and listened to their early stuff, especially since one of my friends back then was the world's biggest R.E.M. fan.

I'm really impressed with these early songs, and I think they are touching me in a way that they wouldn't have when I was a teenager. One song in particular is speaking to me as a comment on our society, Pretty Persuasion. I'm posting the lyrics here so that you might enjoy them and seek out this album as well.

R.E.M. - Pretty Persuasion

It's what I want, hurry and buy,
All has been tried, follow reason and buy,
Cannot shuffle in this heat, it's all wrong
Try to put that on your sleeve it's all wrong it's all wrong

He's got a pretty persuasion
She's got pretty persuasion
God damn, pure confusion
She's got pretty persuasion

It's what I want, hurry and buy,
All has been tried, follow reasoning,
And I put that in this heat it's all wrong
Try to wear that on my sleeve it's all wrong all wrong

He's got a pretty persuasion
She's got pretty persuasion
God damn, pure confusion
He's got pretty persuasion

In the light I saw
Quite a scene there

It's what I want, hurry and buy,
All has been tried, follow reason and buy,
Try to put that in this heat it's all wrong
Cannot wear that on your sleeve it's all wrong it's all wrong