Everybody Hurts
"Everybody Hurts" | ||||
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Single by R.E.M. | ||||
from the album Automatic for the People | ||||
B-side | "Mandolin Strum" | |||
Released | April 15, 1993 | |||
Recorded | 1992 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 5:20 (album version) 4:57 (edit) 4:46 (alternate edit) | |||
Label | Warner Bros. | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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R.E.M. singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Everybody Hurts" on YouTube |
"Everybody Hurts" is a song by American rock band R.E.M., originally released on the band's 1992 album Automatic for the People and was also released as a single in 1993. It peaked at number twenty nine on the Billboard Hot 100, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Iceland.
History
Much of the song was written by drummer Bill Berry, although as R.E.M. shares songwriting credits among its members, it is unknown how much he actually wrote.[1] Berry's drums are largely absent from the song—a Univox drum machine took his place—but he was responsible for the sampling of the drum pattern on the track. The string arrangement was written by Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones.
Guitarist Peter Buck commented on the making of the track saying "'Everybody Hurts' is similar to 'Man on the Moon'. Bill brought it in, and it was a one-minute long country-and-western song. It didn't have a chorus or a bridge. It had the verse... it kind of went around and around, and he was strumming it. We went through about four different ideas and how to approach it and eventually came to that Stax, Otis Redding, "Pain in My Heart" kind of vibe. I'm not sure if Michael would have copped that reference, but to a lot of our fans it was a Staxxy-type thing. It took us forever to figure out the arrangement and who was going to play what, and then Bill ended up not playing on the original track. It was me and Mike and a drum machine. And then we all overdubbed."[2]
In the liner notes of the album In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003, Buck writes that "the reason the lyrics are so atypically straightforward is because it was aimed at teenagers", and "I've never watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but the idea that high school is a portal to hell seems pretty realistic to me." Incidentally, the song was used in the 1992 film of the same name that preceded the show.
In 2005, Buck told the BBC: "If you're consciously writing for someone who hasn't been to college, or is pretty young, it might be nice to be very direct. In that regard, it's tended to work for people of a lot of ages."[3]
In the video for the song, directed by Jake Scott and filmed along the double deck portions of I-10 near the I-35 Interchange in Downtown San Antonio, Texas in February 1993, the band is stuck in a traffic jam. It shows the people in other cars and subtitles of their thoughts appear on screen. At the end, all the people leave their cars and walk instead; then they vanish. The video was heavily inspired by the traffic jam in the opening dream sequence of Fellini's 8½.
In 1995, British emotional support listening service The Samaritans, in response to the high suicide rate but low crisis service take-up amongst young men, launched a UK press advertising campaign consisting solely of the lyrics to "Everybody Hurts" and the charity's hotline number.[4]
The song was placed on R.E.M.'s Warner Bros. "best of" album In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003 in 2003. It was one of four songs from Automatic for the People to make the compilation, more than from any other album. The song is included on R.E.M. Live.
Track listing
All songs written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe unless otherwise indicated.
- US 7" and CD single
- "Everybody Hurts" (Edit) – 4:46
- "Mandolin Strum" – 3:26
- "Collectors' Edition" CD 1 (UK)
- "Everybody Hurts" (edit) – 4:57
- "New Orleans Instrumental No. 1" (Long Version) – 3:29
- "Mandolin Strum" – 3:26
- "Collectors' Edition" CD 2 (UK)
- "Everybody Hurts" (edit) – 4:57
- "Chance (Dub)" – 2:36
- "Dark Globe" (Syd Barrett) – 1:51
- German CD single
- "Everybody Hurts" (edit) – 4:57
- "Mandolin Strum" – 3:26
- "Chance (Dub)" – 2:36
- "Dark Globe" (Barrett) – 1:51
- US 12" and CD maxi-single 1
- "Everybody Hurts" (edit) – 4:57
- "Mandolin Strum" – 3:26
- "Belong" (live)[5] – 4:32
- "Orange Crush" (live)[6] – 4:00
- US 12" and CD maxi-single 2
- "Everybody Hurts" (edit) – 4:57
- "Star Me Kitten" (demo) – 3:05
- "Losing My Religion" (live)[5] – 4:55
- "Organ Song" – 3:25
- UK cassette single
- "Everybody Hurts" – 5:20
- "Pop Song '89" – 3:03
- UK and DE 7" single
- "Everybody Hurts" (edit) – 4:46
- "Pop Song '89" – 3:03
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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Helping Haiti charity single
"Everybody Hurts" | |
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Single by Helping Haiti | |
Released | February 7, 2010 |
Recorded | January 2010 |
Genre | |
Label | Syco |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) | |
Music video | |
"Everybody Hurts" on YouTube |
In an attempt to raise money for victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown asked Simon Cowell to arrange a charity single.[21] Cowell chose "Everybody Hurts", Brown agreed to waive VAT on the single and R.E.M. agreed to waive all royalties.[22] The release was under the name Helping Haiti.
Proceeds from the single were split between The Sun's Helping Haiti fund and the Disasters Emergency Committee.[21][23][24] The song was premiered on radio stations nationally on February 2, 2010.[25] The single was released both physically and digitally on February 7, 2010, with the physical release being brought forward by one day due to demand.[26]
It has been reported as having sold approximately 205,000 copies in its first two days in the United Kingdom,[27] and 453,000 in its first week, making it the fastest-selling charity record of the 21st century in Britain.[28]
This cover is also noteworthy for featuring Robbie Williams's first collaboration with Take That since Williams parted ways with the group in 1995, although neither act was present for each other's recording session.
This also marks Jon Bon Jovi's first number-one appearance in the UK Singles Chart.[citation needed]
Artists
The song is performed by the following artists (in order of appearance):
- Leona Lewis
- Rod Stewart
- Mariah Carey
- Cheryl
- Mika
- Michael Bublé
- Joe McElderry
- Miley Cyrus
- James Blunt
- Gary Barlow (of Take That)
- Mark Owen (of Take That)
- Jon Bon Jovi
- James Morrison
- Alexandra Burke
- Jason Orange (of Take That)
- Susan Boyle
- JLS
- Mark Feehily (of Westlife)
- Shane Filan (of Westlife)
- Kylie Minogue
- Robbie Williams
- Kian Egan (of Westlife)
- Nicky Byrne (of Westlife)
Video
A five-minute promotional short documentary was broadcast on ITV at 20.30 on February 7. The documentary includes footage of the performers recording their vocals (except for Carey, Cyrus, Bon Jovi and Minogue) and images and footage from the aftermath of the earthquake.[29] It opens with a statement of what had happened on January 12 and moves on with footage showing the devastation in the country and the suffering of the Haitians.[30] The official music video was directed by Joseph Kahn and premiered on March 6, 2010. Jon Bon Jovi is the only artist not to appear in this video.
Track listing
- "Everybody Hurts" – 5:24
- "Everybody Hurts" (alternative mix) – 5:35
Chart performance
Following its release in the UK and Ireland on February 7, 2010, Helping Haiti's song entered the Irish Singles Chart on 12 February at number 1. On 14 February it entered the UK Singles Chart at number 1 and spent two weeks at the top spot before dropping to number 9.
On February 23, 2010, the single debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at #28.
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Certifications
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References
- ^ Bowler, David (1995). R.E.M. from "Chronic Town to "Monster". New York, NY: Carol Publishing Group. p. 88. ISBN 0-8065-1724-7.
- ^ "Peter on "Everybody Hurts"". Retrieved 9 November 2011.
- ^ Pop, Classic (27 January 2010). "What's Haiti single and REM song Everybody Hurts about?". BBC News. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
- ^ "The facts of life: heartbreak". The Independent. London. 24 September 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- ^ a b Performed on Mountain Stage on April 28, 1991.
- ^ Recorded at the Fox Theater, Atlanta, Georgia; November 13, 1989.
- ^ "Discography R.E.M." australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2297." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 22 May 1993. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ "R.E.M. – Everybody Hurts" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
- ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (14.05.1993 - 20.05.1993)" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir - Tónlist. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Everybody Hurts". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
- ^ "R.E.M.: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
- ^ "R.E.M. Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
- ^ "R.E.M. Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
- ^ "R.E.M. Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
- ^ redirected to OCC website)[permanent dead link]
- ^ "The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1993". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – R.E.M. – Everybody Hurts" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 16 April 2018. Select "Tutti gli anni" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Everybody Hurts" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "British single certifications – R.E.M. – Everybody Hurts". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 July 2018. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Everybody Hurts in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ a b "X Factor Simon Cowell Earthquake Charity Single To Be REM's Everybody Hurts, Sky Sources Say". Sky News. 22 January 2010. Archived from the original on 25 January 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Haiti all-star charity single gets first airplay". BBC News. 2 February 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
- ^ "Mariah Carey joins line-up for Haiti charity single". BBC News. 26 January 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
- ^ Bull, Sarah (26 January 2010). "Kylie Minogue revealed as latest star for Simon Cowell's Haiti earthquake charity single". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
- ^ Hamilton, Sean (2 February 2010). "Hear The Sun's Helping Haiti single today both on radio and internet". The Sun. UK: News International. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
- ^ Stroud, Carl (6 February 2010). "Single to hit shops on Sunday". The Sun. UK: News International. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
- ^ Cowell Haiti single hits 200,000 sales from Music Week
- ^ Haiti charity single tops UK chart from BBC
- ^ "Video premiere for Haiti charity single". BBC News. 8 February 2001. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
- ^ Everybody Hurts Haiti Charity video from BBC
- ^ "Helping Haiti – Everybody Hurts". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Helping Haiti – Everybody Hurts" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Chart Track: Week 6, 2010". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Archivio – Top Digital Download – Classifica settimanale WK 8 (dal 22-02-2010 al 28-02-2010)" (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. "Tipparade-lijst van week 13, 2016". Top40.nl. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Helping Haiti – Everybody Hurts". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Helping Haiti – Everybody Hurts" Canciones Top 50.
- ^ "Helping Haiti – Everybody Hurts". Singles Top 100.
- ^ "Helping Haiti – Everybody Hurts". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ^ "Helping Haiti: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Bubbling Under and Other Charts". Billboard. 122 (22). Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 6 May 2010. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ "2010 Year-end UK Singles". BBC (BBC Online). 26 December 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
- ^ "British single certifications – Helping Haiti – Everybody Hurts". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Everybody Hurts in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Single chart usages for UKchartstats
- Use dmy dates from March 2012
- 1993 singles
- 2010 singles
- Music videos directed by Jake Scott (director)
- R.E.M. songs
- Songs about suicide
- 1990s ballads
- Rock ballads
- 2010 Haiti earthquake relief
- Songs written by Bill Berry
- Songs written by Peter Buck
- Songs written by Mike Mills
- Songs written by Michael Stipe
- Irish Singles Chart number-one singles
- Number-one singles in Scotland
- UK Singles Chart number-one singles
- Warner Bros. Records singles
- 1992 songs
- Song recordings produced by Scott Litt
- Song recordings produced by Michael Stipe
- Song recordings produced by Mike Mills
- Song recordings produced by Peter Buck
- Song recordings produced by Bill Berry
- 2010 Haiti earthquake
- All-star recordings
- MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction