27 replies to this topic

[rocket21]

While it sounded like somewhat of a throwaway on the online stream, I could hear the song a bit better once I had CD in hand.  Have official lyrics been posted anywhere?

A few things I observed:
- There appear to be some spoken words in the background in a few sections
- Could some of the "a month of Saturdays" actually be "a month of sadder days?"
- Could some of the "weekend weekend" bits be "weakened weekends?"

[Driver Nate]

rocket21, on 18 November 2011 - 02:38 PM, said:

While it sounded like somewhat of a throwaway on the online stream, I could hear the song a bit better once I had CD in hand.  Have official lyrics been posted anywhere?

A few things I observed:
- There appear to be some spoken words in the background in a few sections
- Could some of the "a month of Saturdays" actually be "a month of sadder days?"
- Could some of the "weekend weekend" bits be "weakened weekends?"

Sounds like a job for Blue Mookie.

[LowFeedback]

rocket21, on 18 November 2011 - 02:38 PM, said:

- There appear to be some spoken words in the background in a few sections
- Could some of the "a month of Saturdays" actually be "a month of sadder days?"

I believe those spoken words are the days of the weeks excluding saturday. And I don't think its a month of sadder days. Sadly. It would have had the same effect as Every Day is Yours to Win actually being Every Day is Yours to Lose. Which is; far more interesting, but not really believable. A Month of Saturdays seems more like, well, uh, if it seems like anything at all (people who prefer it over Chance can't be serious), its like a new take on Permanent Vacation. Only limited. More adult. But I believe the whole song and all opinions worthy of mentioning already's been mentioned.

[Driver Nate]

LowFeedback, on 18 November 2011 - 03:28 PM, said:

A Month of Saturdays seems more like, well, uh, if it seems like anything at all (people who prefer it over Chance can't be serious), its like a new take on Permanent Vacation. Only limited. More adult. But I believe the whole song and all opinions worthy of mentioning already's been mentioned.

I definitely like it more than "Chance", probably my least favorite song in the entire R.E.M. catalog.

[beatadrum]

Chance was a bad idea badly realised.

[Driver Nate]

beatadrum, on 18 November 2011 - 04:06 PM, said:

Chance was a bad idea badly realised.

Which is why it was a b-side. It's the only R.E.M. song that sends me searching for some Anacin. Only the Community Trolls' "Six Stock Answers" creates the same sense of tedium, at least for me.

[sashwap]

it barely makes sense to criticize "chance." it's bad, but it's charming and a fun look at something they did off-the-cuff without much thought. we're lucky to be able to hear it. the same applies to "a month of saturdays," although it's more of a proper song. i didn't think much of it at first, but for some reason it sounds pretty great after "alligator."

[MurmursAdministrator]

beatadrum, on 18 November 2011 - 04:06 PM, said:

Chance was a bad idea badly realised.

You do realize at the end of it he says "Guys, this is getting tedious. Stop!"

I do think it was known it was awful.

[beatadrum]

MurmursAdministrator, on 18 November 2011 - 11:07 PM, said:

You do realize at the end of it he says "Guys, this is getting tedious. Stop!"

I do think it was known it was awful.

I admit I had forgotten that as it must be 15 years since I last heard it. I don't intend to break that run any time soon!

Michael's self critique or not, to me it remains the worst officially released 'song' by REM. I'm fairly lenient in criticism of any work by the band to be honest, so it stands alone in the aural spectrum of awful... some of the more flimsy surf instrumentals weren't great either I suppose but at least they had a tune of sorts.

[Trytek]

MurmursAdministrator, on 18 November 2011 - 11:07 PM, said:

You do realize at the end of it he says "Guys, this is getting tedious. Stop!"

I do think it was known it was awful.

Doesn't Peter describe it as a "monstrosity" or something in the liner notes?

[Remixomatosys]

I really love "A month of saturdays", as well as the other new songs.
It is indeed a throwaway song, but a very good one, in my opinion. Chance is more a joke than a song

[Driver Nate]

pelagius42, on 19 November 2011 - 08:22 AM, said:

I completely agree with this assessment of A Month of Saturdays.  It has something of the spirit of fun found on many of their b-sides.  Every time i hear it i chuckle a little.

Agreed. Once the actual singles and holiday singles turned to an endless stream of live versions of many of the same songs, it's the spirit of songs like this that I missed. Better late than never...

[thomas08]

Driver Nate, on 19 November 2011 - 09:03 AM, said:

Agreed. Once the actual singles and holiday singles turned to an endless stream of live versions of many of the same songs, it's the spirit of songs like this that I missed. Better late than never...

That's a really good point to make. I hated when the holiday singles just turned into live versions of common songs.

Then again at least we'll get all the unreleased tracks on the fabled boxset instead of sprawled across 10+ discs..... one can hope!

[ivatsol]

I would agree that 'Saturdays' sorta fits in bside territory.  I would place it on par with 'That Someone is You', just a short little tasty morsel of a song.  'Chance' is funny and quirky, and enjoyed as such.

I would have to say 'Magnetic North' is the worst bside I can recall; that never should have been heard by anyone.  And I would take any of those first three over 3 or 4 tracks on ATS.  Hell, can anyone think of a worse title track on any album than 'Around the Sun'?

[sciryl2K]

LowFeedback, on 18 November 2011 - 03:28 PM, said:

I believe those spoken words are the days of the weeks excluding saturday. And I don't think its a month of sadder days. Sadly. It would have had the same effect as Every Day is Yours to Win actually being Every Day is Yours to Lose. Which is; far more interesting, but not really believable.

"Every Day Is Yours to Lose" is the perfect title for a Minus 5 song (or a possible documentary about the band).

[REMFan]

I like "A Month Of Saturdays" its catchy!  I find myself singing it to myself a lot. :-)

[stipeeyes]

I think this song is the closest to their very early songs.  I like it.  I still have to get to know it more.  I first heard it in Athens at the listening party.

I think Chance is funny.

[bluemookie]

To me, "A Month Of Saturdays" is quite clearly a loose parody of Rebecca Black's "Friday".  It has the same monotone verses sung/chanted in the same fashion.  As for any subtle lyric clues, I don't think there are any.  It's pretty straight forward.  I'm pretty sure that other people have come to this conclusion before me.  I wouldn't say I like it, but I don't hate it either.  And I don't think Magnetic North is their worst B-Side ever.  Emphysema is worse.  Unless you wanted to count fan club singles.  There's worse cuts on those.  And I'll never understand the venom that Around The Sun gets as a song.  That's one of my favorite songs on the album.  Then again, I like Wanderlust a lot as well.  I'm one of the very few that think E-Bow The Letter and Country Feedback are bad songs, or just not my cup of tea.

[welliwonder]

bluemookie, on 23 November 2011 - 05:26 AM, said:

Then again, I like Wanderlust a lot as well.  I'm one of the very few that think E-Bow The Letter and Country Feedback are bad songs, or just not my cup of tea.

wow , Wanderlust over Country Feedback? I couldn't agree less but  I like the fact the fans on here all have different preferences of songs

I don't know Rebecca Black's song but will check it out , interesting
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