[12-04-97 Thurs] Each year, both the Pearl Jam and R.E.M. fan clubs each send a special un-released track to their members as a Christmas present. This year, the two bands have collaborated to make one single to be released to both clubs' members. However, each release will have a different cover for each band, respectively. And, there's more to it than before.
The double B-side single, which will soon arrive fans' mailboxes, includes the last R.E.M. recording featuring ex-drummer Bill Berry. The song, "Live For Today," was recorded in April and August this year in Hawaii and Athens, Ga., while the band was in writing new stuff for their next album, which is due in early 1999. The track is mostly instrumental, with frontman Michael Stipe mumbling for a short time. R.E.M.'s package also has two bookmarks, a sticker, a "Live For Today Yeah" 1998 calendar and eight postcards with lyrics from songs on the band's latest album New Adventures in Hi-Fi with photos.
Pearl Jam's clip, "Happy When I'm Crying," is also a little strange. It begins with a woman speaking Italian: "Eí per noi un piacere augurarvi insieme ai R.E.M. un buon cetriolo," which, according to MNOTW translates into: "It is a pleasure for us to wish you, together with R.E.M., a merry cucumber." The melody sounds like a '60s-garage song mixed with a new-wave touch, with frontman Eddie Vedder's relaxed singing. Vedder also plays bells in the song, which ends with a "Santa Claus" voice.
REM, Pearl Jam - December 04, 1997
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