1-3: Wanderlust vs. Everybody Hurts

Post by **stip** » Fri March 18, 2016 1:41 pm

Everybody Hurts is not a song I listen to much, in part because I still find it powerful, for all its schmaltz. There's such an inviting ache to Stipe's delivery, and the way some of the lyrics and pauses time so well with the musical flourishes - especially that moment where he lingers on the word sometimes, inserts the tiniest of deep breath pauses, and then starts in with the Hold On as the music swells. It's That great moment in the video where everyone starts to get out of their cars. I still love that video.

So it's an occasion song, but it's still powerful after almost 25 years. This is a massively under appreciated song, I think.

I like what they're going for with Wanderlust, but its held back by the antiseptic weight of its album, and so it all falls flat, especially compared to some earlier, similar songs like Shiny Happy People and Stand that just crackle with life

Everybody Hurts

chewm · Post by **chewm** » Fri March 18, 2016 2:23 pm

Yeah, Everybody Hurts.

Chris_H_2 · Post by **Chris_H_2** » Fri March 18, 2016 2:41 pm

I'm not a big fan of either of these songs. to me, wanderlust is just a crap song. I mean, it's bad. everybody hurts hurts my ears because of the overplay. but at least it's a decent song -- by far the better one.

EJ · Post by EJ » Fri March 18, 2016 3:13 pm

I despised Everybody Hurts for a long time, mainly because of that video that was on every 15 minutes back when people actually watched MTV.

I've softened my stance on it over time. I really like the live versions of this song. Pretty powerful. It easily wins this match.

Kevin Davis · Post by **Kevin Davis** » Fri March 18, 2016 10:20 pm

I like "Wanderlust" (I am one of the few Around the Sun admirers on this board), but I forget how nice of a tune "Everybody Hurts" is. Again, a great vocal from Stipe -- for a guy with such a reputation for being a monotone singer, he really sounded great at the upper limits of his range.

Post by **stip** » Fri March 18, 2016 10:38 pm

michael stipe is virtually untouchable on automatic

Norah · Post by **Norah** » Sat March 19, 2016 5:24 am

Everybody Hurts

digster · Post by **digster** » Sun March 20, 2016 1:38 am

Everybody Hurts, definitely...though I do like the live versions of Wanderlust from the '05 tour. It's playful but gains a bit of sharp edges that the studio version lacks.

Post by **stip** » Sun March 20, 2016 3:58 am

Almost everything on that record came into its own live

Red Mosquito