Shiny Happy People

Album: Out Of Time (1991)
Charted: 6 10
Play Video
  • 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) Writer/s: Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Peter Buck, William Berry
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 42

  • AnonymousThe guitar riff is terrific, and very addictive!
  • Grace from New ZealandIt's not ironic. I'm constantly frustrated by people not knowing what irony is. Very few use the word correctly. The misunderstanding is so common that sadly even dictionaries have the incorrect meaning.
  • Phil 1943 from Sydney, AustraliaThis is the ultimate 'feelgood' song. From the first time I saw it in the 90's to now (2021) it's made me happy. Whenever I'm feeling down I go to YouTube and watch the video. It always brings me up again, and I'd be surprised at anyone who couldn't watch the clip and feel happier. REM's other big song for me, 'Losing My Religion', is another favourite but for other reasons. REM may not have liked 'Shiny Happy People' as much as some of their other, more serious compositions, but it's been an important song in my life and for my life for something like 30 years, and for that I thank them.
  • RStill trying to find the evidence of 'hundreds of people being killed'
  • Jodie from Queensland AustraliaInteresting, Have always loved REM but never knew what was behind this song. I definately took it as ironic and thought It was a commentary on social facades I know it was a musical departure for the group but I loved the combining of whimsy and irony.
  • Josh from Champaign, IlThe irony was completely lost on me, I'm just learning this almost 30 years later. lol I just thought it was a hollow-headed, happy song. That certainly does sound like a Chinese propaganda poster.
  • Mj Ward from New OrleansFirst, I Love ALL REM music. Lennon did the same with McCartney over Hello, Goodbye... It too is a great song, a #1 Hit - what’s the issue? It’s not like Shiny, happy people is a cover REM reissued. Own it, love it and just shut up Michael. Otherwise, you just keep looking like the parody of the song Whiny, Sappy People. Lol.
  • David from Outer MongoliaThis could have been great social commentary if they had used scenes of repression in China and elsewhere in the video.
  • Denise from Pembroke Pines, FlLike many people have already confessed I too love this song regardless of popular opinion, including the band's. While I admit the irony of the lyrics was lost on me I always felt that it was more than just a happy upbeat song. For me this song evokes feelings of happiness yes, but both the singer's plea of "meet me in the crowd, people, throw your love around" as well as the chords in the verses, have a certain wistful almost plaintive quality. The riff is so '60s (Byrds, Beatles) and the 2 voices, male and female, especially the quality of Kate's clear voice, remind me of folksy 60s bands. Combined with the hippy lyric of love and colors I just can't help but love this song!
  • Esskayess from Dallas, TxBob Rivers spoofed this song as 'Whiny, Sappy People.' I've always liked the tune, but the words are like honey-soaked marshmallows.
  • Gregg from East Rockaway, NyKate Pierson did not perform on the Sesame Street video. A great job of performing her role was done by Muppeteer Stephanie D'Abruzzo. You can read her recollections of the recording here - http://www.stephaniedabruzzo.com/stephaniedabruzzo.com/REM.html
  • Leticia from Los Angeles, Azfans and rem hate this song cause nobody got it. it's not a feel good song, atleast it wasn't meant to be. also it was right b4 everyone felt like they sold out.
  • Joel from Newcastle, United KingdomThis song was over played on the radio. It even turned up in a commerical for Apple computers.
  • Hugh from Cambridge, United KingdomFor some odd reason this song really pissed me off whenever it was played on the radio. Now I just find it mildly annoying. I'm not knocking the band by the way. Cheers to all.
  • Matt from Houston, Txwhoever wrote this song was trippin' on something.
    I believe it's what you call getting high on life
  • Brad from Lexington, KyDefinitely not my favorite. I like their other "pop songs", "Stand" and "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" better, and I don't really even like those very much.
  • Biff from Boston, Mai think of ecstacy when i hear a. it was very popular in 91 b. it makes you shiny c. it makes you happy .d you enjoy holding hands with people not to mention lyrics like meet me in the crowd...love me...etc.
  • Kizer from Holly Springs, MsIs there not a verse about sad people crying? Then it picks up again with laughing and being happy. Was that just a special version for the Muppets?
  • Casey from Tamarac, FlI was thinking of the this song walking around Disney.
  • Kelly from Sumrall, MsI have been an REM fan for over 20 years, I like it, I "GET" it it still makes me feel good but its not my favorite. I did use it as the music in my daughters first grade slide show!
  • Sam from Lincoln, NeI'm not surprised to hear that this song is not one of R.E.M.'s favorites. Just look at the video sometime and check out Peter Buck's facial expression. He looks like he's pissed off to be in it. I'd be too if I had to listen to Kate Pierson's irritating backing vocal.
  • Enmanuel from Santiago, Dominican RepublicThis song cheers me up everytime I listen to it.
  • George from Blackwood, NjI have seen this video many times. Is the guy that is wearing tan pants and red striped shirt in the back a very young Nate Berkus? Looks like him....
  • Ben from Gosford, AustraliaI always thought this song was about growing pot and getting stoned on it. I like the guitar in this song and the way it goes on and on- even when it fades out it has that never-ending feel to it. For some bizarre reason when I hear this song I get a mental image of Derek Warwick crashing at the start of the 1990 Italian Grand Prix. Type the words 'Derek Warwick 1990' into youtube and see for yourself. Weird!
  • Addison from Alberta, CanadaI like singing "SHINY HAPPY PEOPLE HOLDING HANDS" over and over again. It's funny. :)
  • Ed from York, Pawhat was Buck playing? it sounded like a banjo
  • Johnny from Los Angeles, CaWil is right, and there still are hippies, Mjn Seifer.
  • Camille from Oz, WaThis is a good song. Kate's voice is amazing and it wouldn't have been as good if anyone else sang the back up part for this song.
  • Mjn Seifer from Not Listed For Personal Reason, EnglandI think this should be put on the "More songs that are commonly misinterpeted" page. So many people (Me included) believe this to be a geniune "Feel good" song, not a spoof of that type of music!
  • Vickie from Sydney, AustraliaI love the "Sesame Street" version with all those Muppet monsters crying and then laughing and just grooving around.They should play it on MTV or Rage sometimes.
  • Mjn Seifer from Not Listed For Personal Reason, EnglandThis would make a good hippie song! (Even though it was made over 30 years after hippies were around)
  • Dave from Cardiff, WalesNot keen on this one, much preferred predecessor 'Losing My Religion'.
  • Ratboy from Ratville, NjI like the song, and screw REM if they don't. And if this is meant to be "ironic" it failed miserably.
  • Wil from Kc, KsPeople often misunderstand the point of this song. This song is a poke in the eye to the "shinny happy people". It was a song making fun of the overly upbeat and ignorant. Of course it is lost on a lot of people.
  • Richard from Newport, Isle Of Wight, EnglandApparently they band hate this song so much that they left it off their greatest hits album (the UK version at least) and they certainly didn't play it when I saw them play in my village last month at the Isle of Wight festival. Mind you, they didn't play End of the World either.
  • Peter from Fort Worth, Txi love the video with stipe in his bright yellow suit dancing with everyone, i first saw the video on beavis and butthead and when the video is over they talk about how the video made them feel really happy all of the sudden.
  • Josh from Austin, TxYeah, in fact the song was almost used for the actual intro to the show. It also intentionally did join the 18 songs on their recent 'best of' album last year, mostly because it has never been a popular with the band.
  • Rhett from Melbourne, Australiai understand that both rem and their fans dont rate this very highly, but i luv, especially the back up girls voice.
  • Michael from Kearny, NjI thought "Stand" was condidered the most annoying REM song. On SHP, Peter Buck came up with the guitar riff and Michael Stipe found it so upbeat, that he intentionally created the over-the-top, corny lyrics and the song progressed from there. The joke backfired when the song became the obvious choice for a follow-up single and became somewhat successful.
  • Steph from Ottawa, CanadaI know that most REM fans view this as their worst song, or most annoying, but I love it. It's so upbeat and happy - I want to play it at my funeral one day. You know, to lighten the mood and all.
  • Dude from Urbana, IlThis song was used in Fahrenhiet 9/11 for when there are pictures of the Bushes and the Saudies.
  • Colin from Mt Gilead, OhThe television show "Friends" often played REM songs including this one during the early seasons.
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