This one is very personal. It is the song that helped me during a traumatic period in my life, when music was so important to get me through to the next hour.
Put simply, R.E.M. wrote ‘Everybody Hurts’ to save people's lives. Everything about the song was designed to stop folk committing suicide; from the straightforward lyrics to the dramatic string arrangements to the beautiful melody, the song hits directly where it counts — the heart.
"I don't remember singing it," Stipe noted, "but I still kind of can't believe my voice is on this recording. It's very pure. This song instantly belonged to everyone except us, and that honestly means the world to me."
"I don't remember singing it," Stipe noted, "but I still kind of can't believe my voice is on this recording. It's very pure. This song instantly belonged to everyone except us, and that honestly means the world to me."
I've inscribed the opening lines from the song on his face.
We are living in days that are hurting so many people around the planet and little things can help to save us. I thank God and REM for this "little thing".
This is a one-off Original piece on Saunders Waterford 300gsm HP paper, using mixed media including Watercolour Paint, Acrylic Paint, Inktense Pencils and occasionally Unison Colour Soft Pastels.
Unframed: 760 x 570 mm
Framed: 1063 x 868 mm