The song appeared on… Read Full Bio ↴"Shiny Happy People" is a song by the band R.E.M..
The song appeared on their 1991 album "Out of Time" and was released as a single in the same year. The song features guest vocals by Kate Pierson of the B-52's, who also has a prominent role in the song's music video.
It peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, the fourth and, to date, last R.E.M. single to reach the top 10 on the chart. It also peaked at #6 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the first R.E.M. song to reach the top ten in the UK and the only one to reach the top ten in both countries. It was recorded during the autumn of 1990, and was first released as a single in May 1991 in the U.K. However, the single would not go on sale in the U.S.A. until four months later.
In 2005, Q Magazine included the song in a list of "Ten Terrible Records by Great Artists". In its 2006 "Song of the Summer" countdown, CBC Radio's Freestyle named "Shiny Happy People" 1991's "Song of the Summer".In contrast, in 2006, the song received the number one position on AOL Music's list of the "111 Wussiest Songs of All Time". Blender magazine also ranked the song at #35 on its list of the "50 Worst Songs Ever". Also, when talking about the ill-fated song in 1995 on Space Ghost Coast to Coast Stipe simply stated "I hate that song, Space Ghost." Due to the band's dislike of the song, it was one of their few Warner-released singles not included on their 2003 greatest hits album In Time. However, it was later included on their 2011 greatest hits album "Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982–2011".
The band performed it on Sesame Street under the title "Furry Happy Monsters". The female vocal was performed by Stephanie D'Abruzzo of Avenue Q fame. An adaptation was written by Sesame Street writer Christopher Cerf, changing many of the lyrics to fit the context of the scene. Alvin and the Chipmunks recorded a cover of the song as a playable track for their 2007 video game. The song has also been covered by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, but without the lyrics. A cover version of the song is featured on the 2004 video game Donkey Konga 2. The Fatima Mansions recorded a scabrous song of the same title which used the main title line in its chorus on their EPs Bertie's Brochures and Tima Mansió Dumps the Dead. While the music and verse lyrics were totally changed, R.E.M.'s members are still credited as the authors. "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 a big band piece by Tony Babino and various musicians.
Shiny Happy People
R.E.M. Lyrics
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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 handsShiny 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)
R.E.M.'s "Shiny Happy People" is a song that encourages everyone to be happy and spread that happiness to others. The song's verses and choruses are repetitive and simple, but the lyrics tell a powerful story about love, joy, and unity. The song begins with an invitation to join a group of happy people who are laughing and enjoying the moment. The chorus sings about shiny, happy people holding hands and laughing together. Throughout the song, the lyrics encourage listeners to spread love, put it in their hearts, and share it with everyone around them.
The song's title and message were inspired by the band's admiration for the Japanese documentary "Shiny Happy People" which highlighted emotions like satisfaction, surprise, and pleasure. The lyrics call to mind an idealized situation - being happy and laughing with people holding hands, united in love and joy. The images are simple but powerful, and the upbeat melody adds to the sense of celebration.
Line by Line Meaning
Shiny happy people laughing
We are trying to convey that happiness is contagious and we can create a brighter atmosphere by being happy and spreading delight around us.
Meet me in the crowd, people, people
Come and join us. Let's be together and enjoy the moment.
Throw your love around, love me, love me
Let's express our love to each other and cherish this moment.
Take it into town, happy, happy
Share your happiness with everyone in the town and spread the joy.
Put it in the ground where the flowers grow
Spread happiness wherever you go and let it grow like flowers do with love and care.
Gold and silver shine
Happiness is priceless and it's worth more than any materialistic possession.
Shiny happy people holding hands
Let's hold hands and be united in happiness and love.
Everyone around, love them, love them
Love and accept everyone around us, regardless of their differences or flaws.
Put it in your hands, take it, take it
Take happiness in your own hands and spread it wherever you go.
There's no time to cry, happy, happy
Life is too short to be sad. Let's be happy and appreciate what we have.
Put it in your heart, where tomorrow shines
Keep happiness in your heart and it shall brighten up tomorrow.
Whoa, here we go
Let's embark on this journey of happiness together!
Shiny happy people holding hands (people, happy people)
Let's hold hands and create a community filled with happiness and joy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Peter Buck, William Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leokimvideo
Kate Pierson a voice that elevates every song she's involved with
@dwsowash772
Her and Iggy Pop are great together on 'Candy'.
@jameshallam182
Kate is flawless!
@gorringeman
Kate is sexy as hell
@attitudeproblem6462
I thought that was her.
@hubbabubba9323
Truly one of a kind! Think she has a good track with Moby too - or rather a cover of a B’52
@joelheaton8738
When my daughter was battling cancer this song made her so happy . Stipe, Buck, Mills and Kate from the B52's. My daughter has been gone for 9 years now. Everytime I hear SHP I get tears, She's moved on, but her favorite songs are still playing.
@MrShaks72
Joel Heaton this is worst test in life to watch your children go on front of you I pray to god keep her happy where ever she is and strength to carry on with her lovely memories.
@monacaravetta
So much love to you, dear heart,
@Eledin91
+Joel Heaton Everything happens for a reason, something good will come out of it even if its hard to believe. Our egos find difficult to addapt to the ways of the universe but in the big picture of things everything has meaning. Im sorry for your loss I cannot even imagine how difficult it must be to lose a child, I hope your experience helps other people and dont forget what she would have wanted you to do, keep going, try to be as happy as you can and feel always the love, help others and let others help you cause we are one big family, the consciousness of your daughter cant ever die, the body is just our tool to navigate this world, we are all the same with different roles.