1-1: The Outsiders vs. Turn You Inside Out

[stip]

Vote

[stip]

There's a live in studio version of the Outsiders on that itunes originals release that features Michael Stipe doing the rap that I've always preferred. I like the idea of the outsiders and the way a song about new beginnings feels so resigned and fatalistic, but the Q-tip rap is out of place, and not in a good over the top KRS-1 way. The studio is a good example of a song that hits the mood it's looking for, but the mood doesn't necessarily make for a particularly enjoyable listen.

Oh, the itunes version has some nicer distorted guitars that also give the song a bit more life.

I've always felt that Turn You Inside Out is something of a poor man's Finest Worksong. But it's still a very solid song despite that. You never think of REM as a massive anthem band, but they were good at it when they went that route. I've always felt this song goes on just a bit too long, though.


Vote for Turn You Inside Out.

[philpritchard]

This is a really tough first one for me, and I feel like I'll be in a minority by picking The Outsiders.

Having said that... does it have to be the album version? If we're exclusively using the version with Q-Tip, that changes my vote.

[stip]

It's the song as a whole. Use whatever criteria you want.

[chewm]

I quite like The Outsiders, one of the better songs in Around the Sun, but this is really no contest, Turn You Inside Out is rocking REM at its best (its also a much better song than Finest Worksong, which I still really like), I wouldnt vote many songs over it.

[Kaius]

TYIO for sure

[AndySlash]

outsiders is one of the better songs on around the sun, i'd maybe put it 2nd or 3rd on my preference list for that album, and i think q-tip's 'rap' isn't as detrimental to the song as some of you. can't say i've heard the version with stipe doing it. but no way outsiders can compete with turn you inside out. one of the best songs on green, and a majority of those songs are better than anything on around the sun, sooooo... no contest here.

turn you inside out

[stip]

He does it here, too

[stip]

it's a bit slower/downbeat in the itunes version, though

[Kevin Davis]

I love "The Outsiders" -- I'll give it my vote.

[stip]

for a moment there i thought KD and I would share the same first round and i felt really good about myself

[Kevin Davis]

"Turn You Inside Out" is fantastic, though -- Mike Mills kills it on backing vocals.

[Norah]

Turn You Inside Out