Shiny Happy People

"Shiny Happy People" is a song by the American rock band R.E.M. from their seventh studio album, '' Out of Time'' (1991). It features guest vocals by Kate Pierson of the B-52's, who also appears in the music video. According to the singer Michael Stipe, the lyrics are a satirical translation of the Chinese government's propaganda following the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.

"Shiny Happy People" was released as a single in May 1991 in the United Kingdom, and four months later in the United States. It reached number 10 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, the fourth and last R.E.M. single to reach the top 10. It reached number 6 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the first R.E.M. song to reach the top 10 in the UK and the only one to reach the top 10 in both countries. It is R.E.M.'s most successful song in Ireland, where it reached second place, and in Germany, where it reached number 10.

R.E.M. performed the song with Pierson on ''Saturday Night Live'' on April 13, 1991. It was used as the theme song to the unaired pilot for the sitcom '' Friends'', before it was replaced by the Rembrandts' " I'll Be There for You", and was briefly used in the first season's tenth episode, " The One with the Monkey". R.E.M. was ambivalent about being known for a pop song widely perceived as lacking gravitas. Stipe said in 2016: "It's a fruity pop song written for children ... If there was one song that was sent into outer space to represent R.E.M. for the rest of time, I would not want it to be 'Shiny Happy People.

Writing

The R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe took the phrase "shiny happy people" from Chinese propaganda posters used after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Stipe described the song as a "really fruity, kind of bubblegum song". "Shiny Happy People" features guest vocals from Kate Pierson, of another Athens band, the B-52's.

Critical reception

Justin Chadwick from Albumism described the song as "buoyant" and R.E.M.'s "most unabashedly pop-fueled composition of their career". He added further, "Regardless of the song's true inspirations or whether you care for the song or not, I suspect most can agree that the soaring backing vocals supplied by Kate Pierson ... are the unequivocal highlight." Larry Flick from '' Billboard'' wrote, "Ace guitarist Peter Buck drives alternative band further into the mainstream on this commercially accessible, hook-driven pop tune." He stated that Pierson "contributes splendid vocal harmonies on infectious, sing-along chorus". The ''Daily Vault'''s Christopher Thelen said it is the song "that dared to show a new side of R.E.M. - a, well, happy side. Who woulda thunk it? The song is a tad cornball, but is infectiously catchy, nonetheless." Irish newspaper ''Drogheda Independent'' declared it as "unbelievably catchy", while Scottish newspaper ''Dundee Courier'' described it as "sardonic but delicious disposable pop". A reviewer from ''Evening Herald'' deemed it a "gilt-edged" pop hit.

''Liverpool Echo'' commented that the song "comes at you concealed as bubble gum pop in the guise of an opening string arrangement even Kylie Minogue wouldn't thank you for—before it throws off the cloak of conformity and gets down to a more resonant rendition of power pop". '' Music & Media'' called it "heaven on earth", adding that Pierson's voice is "as prominent as it was" on Iggy Pop's song, " Candy". Terry Staunton from ''NME'' described it as "bubbly", noting that it "opens with a lilting waltz before breaking into a sun-drenched pop anthem, a warm and welcome blood relative to the B-52s' own 'Love Shack'." ''People Magazine'' said that Pierson "added some spark". Mark Frith from '' Smash Hits'' noted that the song is "very summery, optimistic and has some fine vocals" from Pierson. He added, "It's so good that it will make you too want to go around and give the world a great big hug. Summer's here and everything's groovy." The '' Sunday Tribune'' stated that it "waltzes joyfully with the added vocal attraction" of Pierson, and noted the "joyous" and "celebratory" noises, calling it "one of 1991's pure pop highlights".

Legacy

In its 2006 "Song of the Summer" countdown, CBC Radio's '' Freestyle'' named "Shiny Happy People" 1991's "Song of the Summer". By contrast, in 2006, the song received the No. 1 position on AOL Music's list of the "111 Wussiest Songs of All Time". ''Blender'' magazine also ranked the song No. 35 on its list of the "50 Worst Songs Ever", and '' Q'' included it in a list of "Ten Terrible Records by Great Artists" in 2005.

When Stipe made an appearance on ''Space Ghost Coast to Coast'' in 1995, he said he hated the song. It was one of their few Warner-released singles not included on their 2003 greatest hits album ''In Time'', and R.E.M. have rarely played it. However, over time, Stipe's position on the song has softened. Speaking in 2011, Stipe said he was "always at peace" with it, but that it was "embarrassing" that it had become a hit. He said: "Many people's idea of R.E.M, and me in particular, is very serious, with me being a very serious kind of poet. But I'm also actually quite funny – hey, my bandmates think so, my family thinks so, my boyfriend thinks so, so I must be – but that doesn't always come through in the music.... (But) I'm in 'Shiny Happy People', 'Stand', 'Pop Song 89', 'Get Up', too. Our fruitloop songs!"

Track listings

All songs were written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe unless otherwise stated.

US and UK 7-inch and cassette single
# "Shiny Happy People" (album version) – 3:44
# "Forty Second Song" – 1:20

UK 12-inch and CD single
# "Shiny Happy People" – 3:45
# "Forty Second Song" – 1:20
# "Losing My Religion" (live acoustic version, recorded on ''Rockline'', April 1, 1991.) – 4:36

UK limited-edition CD single
# "Shiny Happy People" – 3:45
# "I Remember California" (live, from ''Tourfilm'') – 5:42
# "Get Up" (live, from ''Tourfilm'') – 3:15
# " Pop Song '89" (live, from ''Tourfilm'') – 3:30

Personnel

Personnel are adapted from the ''Out of Time'' liner notes.

R.E.M.
* Bill Berry – drums
* Peter Buck – electric guitar
* Mike Mills – bass guitar, vocals, organ
* Michael Stipe – lead vocals

Additional musicians
* David Arenz – violin
* Ellie Arenz – violin
* Mark Bingham – string arrangements
* David Braitberg – violin
* Andrew Cox – cello
* Reid Harris – viola
* Peter Holsapple – acoustic guitar
* Ralph Jones – double bass
* Dave Kempers – violin
* Elizabeth Murphy – cello
* Paul Murphy – lead viola
* Kate Pierson – vocals

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Other versions

"Shiny Happy People" is one of several anachronistic songs that appear in the 2013 video game ''BioShock Infinite'', which is set in 1912. This version of the song is performed as an Al Jolson-esque big band piece by Tony Babino (vocals), Scott Bradlee (arrangement and piano), Adam Kubota, Allan Mednard, and Tom Abbott.

References

{{Authority control

1991 singles
1991 songs
American pop rock songs
Male–female vocal duets
R.E.M. songs
Song recordings produced by Bill Berry
Song recordings produced by Michael Stipe
Song recordings produced by Mike Mills
Song recordings produced by Peter Buck
Song recordings produced by Scott Litt
Songs written by Bill Berry
Songs written by Michael Stipe
Songs written by Mike Mills
Songs written by Peter Buck
Warner Records singles