I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Shiny happy people laughing
Meet me in the crowd, people, people
Throw your love around, love me, love me
Take it into town, happy, happy
Put it in the ground where the flowers grow
Gold and silver shine
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing
Everyone around, love them, love them
Put it in your hands, take it, take it
There's no time to cry, happy, happy
Put it in your heart, where tomorrow shines
Gold and silver shine
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing
Whoa, here we go
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing
Shiny happy people holding hands (people, happy people)
Shiny happy people holding hands (people, happy people)
Shiny happy people holding hands (people, happy people)
Meet me in the crowd, people, people
Throw your love around, love me, love me
Take it into town, happy, happy
Put it in the ground where the flowers grow
Gold and silver shine
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing
Everyone around, love them, love them
Put it in your hands, take it, take it
There's no time to cry, happy, happy
Put it in your heart, where tomorrow shines
Gold and silver shine
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing
Whoa, here we go
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing
Shiny happy people holding hands (people, happy people)
Shiny happy people holding hands (people, happy people)
Shiny happy people holding hands (people, happy people)
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What this song is really about is: I remember reading that the title came from a piece of Chinese propaganda that the Chinese government put out after Tiananmen square, that had a first line that translated to read "the shiny happy people holding hands", which always lead me to believe that the entire song was not only meant to be sarcastic, but it was meant to be almost bitterly so. Simply put, a song to mock the overly happy fits of lunacy that people put out to mask real life problems.
Unfortunately for REM, the song became what it was mocking.
It's about communism. Like how in the pictures of the citizens of China they look happy, they are being hidden by what's happening behind closed doors. Hence, Shiny Happy People.
It always makes me think of Hippies. I don't know why
Me, too. Just seems like the attitude Hippies had in general and the way they'd do that whole happy campfire thing.
How many times does R.E.M have to explain this ffs:
The title and chorus are based on a Chinese propaganda poster. The slogan "Shiny happy people holding hands" is used ironically - the song was released in 1991, 2 years after the Tiananmen Square uprising when the Chinese government clamped down on student demonstrators, killing hundreds of them.
@lucydubbs Well, the music video produced for this song doesn't really help either.
@lucydubbs Also, R.E.M. don't explain it that way. As far as they're concerned, they just wrote a meaningless pop song.
I heard this on an interview - R.E.M. was tired of everyone saying that their songs and videos were morbid, sad, or dark. they wrote this and ridiculously dance in bright colors on the video to be smart asses. It's a great song that I've always liked, but after I heard where it stemmed from - I like it even MORE!
i always thought this was about how alot of people believe they are happy because that's what they are told. they live a "good" life, and even if it isn't the one they want, they are happy with it because they know that someone else has it worse.
shiny people are fake people. they think they are happy, but have no idea what happiness is.
who cares if its drug related or not? its a really happy song, and it makes you happy. and as long as you're happy, who cares? this song rules. forever. and then some. anyways, that's what i think...
@xpankfrisst lol omfg it is so not about that. It’s a gigantic FU to Bullshit propaganda specifically in relation T-Square massacre. It’s 100% sarcasm. I remember watching “shiny happy monsters” when REM was on Sesame Street with my toddler and I just started dying laughing. It’s way deeper than the surface. It’s not intended to make you happy, it’s intended to point out seeing through the terrible things people want to believe. Listening to the progressions, are indicative of sadness covered by superficial false happiness.
I LOVE THE VIDEO!!!!! It's just so awesomely fucked up you gotta love it. The reason they had Stipe dance in videos was b/c he couldn't.
she is kate pierson...
...why is this not on in time? mozzer answered that
I agree with OrangeCrush. Why are people so oblivious to sarcasm/different perspectives?