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R.E.M. — Bang and Blame
Album: Monster
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2997








Released: 1994
Length: 4:37
Plays (last 30 days): 0
If you could see yourself now, baby
It's not my fault
You used to be so in control
You're going to roll right over this one
Just roll me over, let me go
You're laying blame
Take this as no, no, no

You bang, bang, bang, bang, bang,
Blame, blame, blame
You bang, bang, bang, bang, bang,
It's not my thing so let it go

If you could see yourself now baby,
The tables have turned
The whole world hinges on your swings
Your secret life of indiscreet discretions
I'd turn the screw and leave the screen,
Don't point your finger,
You know that's not my thing

You came to bang, bang, bang, bang, bang,
Blame, blame, blame
You bang, bang, bang, bang, bang,
It's not my thing so let it go, now

You've got a little worry,
I know it all too well,
I've got your number,
But so does every kiss-and-tell
Who dares to cross your threshold,
Or happens on your way,
Stop laying blame
You know that's not my thing

You know that's not my thing,
You came to bang, bang, bang, bang, bang,
Blame, blame, blame
You bang, bang, bang, bang, bang,
It's not my thing so let it go
You bang, bang, bang, bang, bang,
Blame, blame, blame
You bang, bang, bang, bang, bang,
It's not my thing so let it go

You kiss on me, tug on me, rub on me, jump on me,
You bang on me, beat on me, hit on me, let go on me,
You let go on me
Comments (247)add comment
 monstrdog wrote:

I really try to like REM. Once in a while I hear one that is OK.
Lead singer always seems to be such a whiny kinda guy singing whiny songs.
I know...bring on the hate for these comments.





A critical factor is what era you have heard; have you really listened to the first 4 albums? I have to say that if it's mostly tracks from RP then you are missing a lot of their best work. I think RP could do better representing them here. For me, this album was the beginning of their downfall; with Automatic for the People their last truly great album.
I used to dislike everything REM, but over the years my ears and mind opened up in some way and I appreciate a lot of what they did. I don't get the hate on this song, but to each their own!
 jproduction wrote:

J Productions is a freelance photography/videography service based in the tri-cities that specializes in capturing and creating quality photo, and video projects of everything from family portraits to important events such as weddings or live entertainment.

https://www.jproductionstricit...




Bad manners, JP or whoever you are! No space for self-promotion here.
 monstrdog wrote:

I really try to like REM. Once in a while I hear one that is OK.
Lead singer always seems to be such a whiny kinda guy singing whiny songs.
I know...bring on the hate for these comments.




Agree 100 %. Can't stand them. Never could. Never will.
I really try to like REM. Once in a while I hear one that is OK.
Lead singer always seems to be such a whiny kinda guy singing whiny songs.
I know...bring on the hate for these comments.
might as well be losin' my religion
 RabbitEars wrote:

love the verse hate the chorus. 



Nope.
Gave it a 2. Skip.
Brilliant lyrics. Which I hadn’t paid enough attention to, prior. Wouldn’t expect anything less from them.
As usual, many instances of the word "me".  I guess you gotta write about the things you love the most.
 DW4554 wrote:

Major key bridge/chorus is the hook.   




Hasn't hooked me...
Major key bridge/chorus is the hook.   
 jukes1 wrote:


This is a song about domestic violence.


https://lmgtfy.com/?q=bang+and...


Is this song about sexual addiction?
 drawcard wrote:
Same chords in the verse as Losing My Religion’s chorus, I’m sure that’s intended somehow
 
I suppose if those are the only chords they know they'll just keep using them
Same chords in the verse as Losing My Religion’s chorus, I’m sure that’s intended somehow
 treatment_bound wrote:
Weird.  I just listened to this whole album last week for the 1st time in eons.  It ranks in the lower-half on their "album greatness scale", but this song is definitely a high point.
 

It's very different from their earlier work (which I love), but I still enjoy Monster a lot.
 szpowell wrote:


I totally agree, but never really thought about it until now!
 

It's not my thing so let it go..
 Laptopdog wrote:
Never noticed before just how similar the melody of the verses is to Losing My Religion. I guess if you're going to rip off someone's music, it's best to keep it in- house.
 
AC / DC feel the same way !!!!!! 
 aspicer wrote:
I think I read this is about Courtney Love, can others confirm?
 

https://lmgtfy.com/?q=bang+and...
I think I read this is about Courtney Love, can others confirm?
 szpowell wrote:


I totally agree, but never really thought about it until now!
 
I like the way the chorus bangs heads with the verse.
REM is a band I didn't appreciate enough in it's heyday. I should have given them more of a chance back when. 
I always found this band inno vativ but maybe sounding too preachy
 RabbitEars wrote:
love the verse hate the chorus. 
 

I totally agree, but never really thought about it until now!
Never noticed before just how similar the melody of the verses is to Losing My Religion. I guess if you're going to rip off someone's music, it's best to keep it in- house.
 rpdevotee wrote:
One of the most underrated rock bands of all time. 
 
UNDERrated? On the conrary...

And way too much R.E.M. on RP.
 rpdevotee wrote:
One of the most underrated rock bands of all time.  I've always like REM, but I've really learned to appreciate the creativity and talent of these guys even more in my later years.  Ageless music.
 
I agree with the sentiment, but 'underrated'? 
They were *massive* :-P

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...   
last sentence in the opening paragraph "R.E.M. has sold over 85 million copies of their studio albums worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time."
 timmus wrote:
I always sing "Losing My Religion" lyrics during the verses in this song.  The tunes sound exactly the same.

 
I have the same feeling about all Dido's songs.
One of the most underrated rock bands of all time.  I've always like REM, but I've really learned to appreciate the creativity and talent of these guys even more in my later years.  Ageless music.
 timmus wrote:
I always sing "Losing My Religion" lyrics during the verses in this song.  The tunes sound exactly the same.

 
Maybe you just have a timmus ear.
Stupid Song!
 cmarket wrote:
Sucko Barfo

 
You don't like music, which begs the question why do you listen to RP or any other music station for that matter?
 timmus wrote:
I always sing "Losing My Religion" lyrics during the verses in this song.  The tunes sound exactly the same.

 
I agree :)


I always sing "Losing My Religion" lyrics during the verses in this song.  The tunes sound exactly the same.
playing REM after Albert King is like a punch in the dick.. ugh
Michael Stipe is here on this track to scold you about being a hussy.
"You kiss on me, tug on me, rub on me, jump on me" - she's a cat, right?
I liked REM in their early years, but as time went on I began to see that Stipe was little more than a mewling whiner.   {#Moon}
 treatment_bound wrote:

Beginning of the end?  I take it you weren't too enthralled with the 17 YEARS OF MUSIC THEY PUT OUT after this album...

 
Not so much, no. I like "Electrolite", though.
a rating for the Eagles of alt-rock
 treatment_bound wrote:

Beginning of the end?  I take it you weren't too enthralled with the 17 YEARS OF MUSIC THEY PUT OUT after this album...

 
Yeah, it was a VERY slow end. {#Cheesygrin}
 nutrod42 wrote:
Beginning of the end of R.E.M.

 
Beginning of the end?  I take it you weren't too enthralled with the 17 YEARS OF MUSIC THEY PUT OUT after this album...
Beginning of the end of R.E.M.
Wow ! crossing your threshold on REM & RIP
LOVE...kids grew up hearing this in the Jeep...and they sang along with the "Bang Bang" part only...{#Whisper}
love the verse hate the chorus. 
Sooner or later, some cop/detective show is going to use this track as the music bed for a very artfully choreographed gunfight sequence.
Okay, yes, that was clever.
But please don't do it again — the juxtaposition was horrible.
Sucko Barfo
 Sasha2001 wrote:

What you mean to say is "Pixies" type construction as they were the earlier alternative band to thrive from this song writing gimic. 
 
The Pixies certainly utilized that style before Nirvana, and probably popularized it more than any other artist,  but plenty of artists did similar things long before.  "Heroin" by The Velvet Underground was likely a direct influence on The Pixies, but a few others come to mind: The Who - "Sea and Sand", Led Zeppelin - "Ramble On", "Green Door" by Jim Lowe, (and later The Cramps), Love - "Alone Again Or", etc.
  It appears to have become the signature sound for The Pixies though, and emulated a little too often by later bands, IMO.
My favorite REM song...
 Cynaera wrote:
I loved/love R.E.M. because of their solid body of work, most of which kept my ears and brain very happy. There are still a few exceptions that will invariably cause me to lunge for the mute button ("Mine Smell Like Honey," for one), but I'll take any R.E.M. over a lot of what's passing for "good" music these days. {#Daisy}  It'll be interesting to see if the guys pursue solo projects, whether musical or otherwise.

 
miss you so much, Cynaera...

everybody in my mushrooming multitude of homeless camps loves this marvelous song, and this album... 
Weird.  I just listened to this whole album last week for the 1st time in eons.  It ranks in the lower-half on their "album greatness scale", but this song is definitely a high point.
Possibly the only R.E.M song I like.
 max_p wrote:
Like this song.
possibly of "nirvana' type construction, namely quiet guitars followed by jamming chorus of distorted guitars

 
What you mean to say is "Pixies" type construction as they were the earlier alternative band to thrive from this song writing gimic. 

We be dancing independently...  love this song...
 
How would I get house cleaning done without RP?!  Makes it so fun!
 
Turning it up and jamming in the kitchen!

Everybody in my church loves this groovy song...
 
Like this song.
possibly of "nirvana' type construction, namely quiet guitars followed by jamming chorus of distorted guitars
 sirdroseph wrote:


Because most of it sucks ass. I thought it was pretty self evident.
 
STUPID REMARK OF THE "SIR"!

GREAT SONG!

9


 justin4kick wrote:

Why?
 

Because most of it sucks ass. I thought it was pretty self evident.
 terrapin52 wrote:
I just ignore any R.E.M. music after Document.
 
Why?
I just ignore any R.E.M. music after Document.
I loved/love R.E.M. because of their solid body of work, most of which kept my ears and brain very happy. There are still a few exceptions that will invariably cause me to lunge for the mute button ("Mine Smell Like Honey," for one), but I'll take any R.E.M. over a lot of what's passing for "good" music these days. {#Daisy}  It'll be interesting to see if the guys pursue solo projects, whether musical or otherwise.

Fun game: every time Michael Stipe says "me" in a song, take a drink! {#Drunk}

I miss you already, R.E.M. {#Cry}
One of the better songs on this album.  IMO the chorus is a bit weak, but man that groove they've got going in the verses between bass, drums, and tremolo guitar is awesome.
 Proclivities wrote:


Well, this album is from 1994 - arguably within their "decade of fame".

 

Fame maybe, but their decade of quality was the 80s.{#Yes}
 Quixmundi wrote:

Would someone please tell REM their decade of fame is over? These guys keep recycling the same monotonous sound. Arty lyrics got stale long ago.  All in all...I'm so over REM


 

Well, this album is from 1994 - arguably within their "decade of fame".

I left my winamp on and went to lunch, had to profusely apologize to my co workers in the vicinity for being subjected to this. They did not accept.{#Stop}

Outstanding song, all this memories..
 Stingray wrote:
NOTHING TO BLAME...!!

ONE OF THEIR BEST!

 
I love REM up until ok, maybe 1991, but I could not disagree with you more.

 sirdroseph wrote:


No, REM used to be good.
 


Boo. REM different - but still very, very good.
 EssexTex wrote:
REM Good.
 

No, REM used to be good.
 oldviolin wrote:
 I love the smell of burning ideology in the morning. Smells like...Prophecy...
 


 tfodden wrote:
I have a lot of respect for REM.  But this one gets a little too much airplay on RP.  Kinda waters down their cred.  Bill?

 

If the comment dates are any indication of airplay frequency, this gets played only once a month, on average.  I suppose if you hate it, even that's too much.


 savoyard wrote:
This song and album was the slow downfall of REM....so annoying.
 

haters gon' hate...
One of the top tracks on the album, a very excelent album I might add.
This song and album was the slow downfall of REM....so annoying.
NOTHING TO BLAME...!!

ONE OF THEIR BEST!

 tfodden wrote:
I have a lot of respect for REM.  But this one gets a little too much airplay on RP.  Kinda waters down their cred.  Bill?

 
Bill is no longer with the band.

{#Yes}
I have a lot of respect for REM.  But this one gets a little too much airplay on RP.  Kinda waters down their cred.  Bill?

One of their best!
SONG and ALBUM!
Wow...this one takes me back. I think I was in middle school and had a BMG membership where I got 2 CDs a month for like $10 each. This was one of the first ones I got.
 Danimal174 wrote:


Waah, waah, waah...

Jesus Christ, so tired of hearing people whine about REM being played on here. Overall, most of their songs have a rating of around 7 on RP, which means that the majority of RP listeners must like REM. Also, at the end of the day, it's about what Bill and Rebecca like, since it's their station, and they appear to like REM. So, it's not going away. Get over it!!
 

No offense, but that is exactly what song comments are for. I would like to preserve my right to voice my opinion on how much I dislike any song or group for that matter. I happen to agree that this song and almost all of post 1987 REM sucks balls (before that, they rocked). That is my opinion, you have the right to say you love this song; I have the right to say it sucks! BTW, I assure you I did not give it a 7.{#Wink}


Heh — I Wore OUT this tape in middle school.
Yes, I said Tape.
YES, I said middle school.
suckit
Alongside it in heavy rotation were Silverchair's Frogstomp, Live's Lightning Crashes, and Green Day's Dookie...RHCP, Cake, Nirvana, The Verve, Soundgarden, PJ, Counting Crows, Blind Melon, Bush...'twas a good time to flower out finding my own musical tastes — funny though, my mom shared more than a few of these with ME. :)
 I love the smell of burning ideology in the morning. Smells like...Prophecy...
REM Good.
Bad song title.  Bad song.
 romeotuma wrote:


I totally agree with myself...
 

And I agree with you too...
Dance the dance; traipse the time...

 bizon wrote:

But unfortunately, we will hear them again and again and again. The same monotonous, bland pop music and recycled melodies. I thought this was Losing My Religion. God awful!

 

Waah, waah, waah...

Jesus Christ, so tired of hearing people whine about REM being played on here. Overall, most of their songs have a rating of around 7 on RP, which means that the majority of RP listeners must like REM. Also, at the end of the day, it's about what Bill and Rebecca like, since it's their station, and they appear to like REM. So, it's not going away. Get over it!!


 tomville wrote:
I'm not exactly sure why, but I really like this song.
 

  Yeah same boat.   One of those where simple is good, just has a cool feel to it...
Like em, love em, but not on RP{#Motor}
i don't think they're that bad at all.. i'm not an REM fan, but along with smashing pumpkins and pearl jam, after getting stardom & cash it's nice to see they haven't gone the way of say, the pretenders or guster, trying to be something they're not & submitting to pop-culture.

good things have definitely trickled out of REM, SP, and PJ post-stardom.


 Quixmundi wrote:

Would someone please tell REM their decade of fame is over? These guys keep recycling the same monotonous sound. Arty lyrics got stale long ago.  All in all...I'm so over REM


 

With you 100%... they were at their musical best before they became popstars. Now it is just a little sad. I would not feel any pain if this was off the playlist.

Would someone please tell REM their decade of fame is over? These guys keep recycling the same monotonous sound. Arty lyrics got stale long ago.  All in all...I'm so over REM


 lattalo wrote:
If I never heard R.E.M again I would be very happy indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
But unfortunately, we will hear them again and again and again. The same monotonous, bland pop music and recycled melodies. I thought this was Losing My Religion. God awful!

If I never heard R.E.M again I would be very happy indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hometown band makes it big. If you haven't seen 'em live in a small venue, do so.  Then judge.
So nostalgic!  Takes me back to the beginning of undergrad.  I skipped a history exam for this concert...the professor was an REM fan and let me take a make-up exam!

That Toad song must have reminded Bill of REM too.
 horstman wrote:


He plays them all the time. More than Talking Heads. More than Porcupine Tree. More than Gabriel.



 
I listen to RP nearly every day for most of the day, and in my experience this statement is not true.  I'm not sure what band/artist has the fine distinction of "most frequent appearances on RP", but it ain't R.E.M.
(But I kinda wish it was!) 

OK, maybe not the best REM album, but for various personal reasons it has a special place in my heart. Thanks for playing!

pushkinjim wrote:
Does a day go by without REM? THIS IS CRAP! REM SUCKS! PLEASE - no more REM! M E D I O C R E ! ! !
Dude/Dudette, Bill likes R.E.M. He plays them all the time. More than Talking Heads. More than Porcupine Tree. More than Gabriel. It might be his favorite band, or his favorite band to play. So if this displeases you, too bad. Get over it. And stop yelling at us. I get enough of that at work, I don't need it from some disguntled REM hater like you.
stand! bang! fire! no beer! outa here!
REM were my favorite band up until MONSTER. They ran out of ideas and this clumsy song is an example.
Great song from a great band, but I can't figure out why I rated this a 10. Dropping it down to a more reasonable 8.
love this song. love the word 'bang'. anyone see stipes video statement about how his 2 bandmates shouldnt be discriminated against? funny!
Elephantik wrote:
Sorry but even the world would not turn around without REM. So no day without them. It's just physics.
AMEN!!
Cha cha cha!
DrLex wrote:
Who cares about commercial radio?
I still do. I have about a one hour commute each way to work, and living in a major market with many stations and formats to choose from, I just can't justify paying for satellite radio. That, and the fact that my daughter's college bills would seem to get higher priority on the expenditures list. So please, if there are any over the air radio programmers out there, try playing a little R.E.M. from the nineties that isn't Losing My Religion, Shiny Happy People, or Man On The Moon once in awhile...
pushkinjim wrote:
Please pass the Pepto Bismol.
Go assemble some furniture will you!