I admired her throughout high school, but the courage never came to me. I only watched her shine amongst others, and pined for her under the moon. Six years later, I returned to my hometown for a summer job. She was there. The light in her eyes was “replaced by every day” and the uncertainty of serious mental health issues. Photographs kept turning in my memory, and I recalled her understated persona, culture, and athletic glow. This time, I summoned the courage. Our time together put some of her misfortunes in reverse, and I could not describe my feelings when her fair smile returned. But “these things, they go away”, and I knew that come September, life was going to call us elsewhere. My mind and heart turned endlessly between our quiet laughter and tender moments-how can this work?? Late one evening, she took me swimming at a park that meant very different things to each of us. I floundered by the shore- “you, I thought you knew me”! She, the varsity swimmer, took fluid laps across the lake and back. She I marvelled at in the moonlight. I gathered her heartbeat into my arms; it was so strong, even, and sure-“you, I thought I knew you”!? It became clear that I could not know her, and knew not how to handle her fragility with the right strength, nor her strength with the right fragility. Quite some time after that summer, I heard “Nightswimming” for my first time. Especially when the song comes to two moons, “side by side in orbit, around the fairest sun”, I remember that time together. Ever so brightly.
I remember when I saw this video on MTV for the first time I was blown away. Got the album for Christmas that year and listened to it non stop. Amazing band.
No matter what version of this song I hear from Michael or R.E.M., it always blows me away. So brilliant.. never gets old and actually may be better today than ever before!!
I was lucky enough to meet Peter in 2019 in a little club in Massachusetts he was playing with another band called filthy freinds and he came out after the show
The first song I ever fell in love with over 20 years ago when U first heard it. Thar piano part as "simple" as it is is surprisingly hard to play over and over - Mike Mills does a great job.
I'm not good at all on piano and can manage to play this. Like somebody else said on here somewhere its actually pretty simple,(the why of why it's so beautiful). The challenge is playing it over and over and keeping rhythm. Mike Mills runs a flawless marathon with this amazing composition. Lots of great tutorials on the True for it.
I've always thought this song was about homosexual repression. Yet somehow bravery and honesty.. The longing for openness if only under cover of dark. The thril of being free. The wish for the peace a love deserves.
The Cool One I appreciate your consideration. My reasons come from witnessing loved ones go through that and this song partly making sense of it to me. glorious regardless.
puckdropper27 he actually sheds a tear at the end of that performance. That was the day I knew I had to grow up. Not sure why. I had a kid and was married, had a home and a good job. 2 years later, she'd be dead, and I'd be raising a child on my own. Things are better. It will always get better as long as I move forward.
I know I'm replying to a comment from 7 months ago, but that short sleeved musician is Ken Stringfellow, a touring (and sometimes studio) musician of the band from 1998-2005.
I've looked too. I remember 2004-2005 (I was about 13-14) I came across all these on Winamp and that's when I fell in love with R.E.M., especially this song. Even to this day, I can listen to hours and hours of them.
Tell me if anything ever sung sounds remotely like this....A masterpiece
Totally ❤
I admired her throughout high school, but the courage never came to me. I only watched her shine amongst others, and pined for her under the moon.
Six years later, I returned to my hometown for a summer job. She was there. The light in her eyes was “replaced by every day” and the uncertainty of serious mental health issues.
Photographs kept turning in my memory, and I recalled her understated persona, culture, and athletic glow. This time, I summoned the courage. Our time together put some of her misfortunes in reverse, and I could not describe my feelings when her fair smile returned.
But “these things, they go away”, and I knew that come September, life was going to call us elsewhere. My mind and heart turned endlessly between our quiet laughter and tender moments-how can this work??
Late one evening, she took me swimming at a park that meant very different things to each of us. I floundered by the shore-
“you, I thought you knew me”! She, the varsity swimmer, took fluid laps across the lake and back. She I marvelled at in the moonlight. I gathered her heartbeat into my arms; it was so strong, even, and sure-“you, I thought I knew you”!?
It became clear that I could not know her, and knew not how to handle her fragility with the right strength, nor her strength with the right fragility.
Quite some time after that summer, I heard “Nightswimming” for my first time. Especially when the song comes to two moons, “side by side in orbit, around the fairest sun”, I remember that time together. Ever so brightly.
I still can't believe they never have performed this with a complete full orchestra live. I would give anything to hear that.
Aerial Hiking Look for Mike Mills' Concerto. It is beautifully incorporated 💜
It actually makes me sad cause it would be outstanding.
agreed. the flute sounded like shit through synth
found this gem : ruclips.net/video/yjQmv1NNii8/видео.html
Or at least a real oboe. Good grief. I can’t stand synthesized oboe. I can’t even stand the oboe stop on a pipe organ that’s an actual reed pipe.
Inexplicably, this song is my go-to when stuff is too shitty to handle. Beautiful piano, beautiful singing.
Well said...a cure all indeed
I remember when I saw this video on MTV for the first time I was blown away. Got the album for Christmas that year and listened to it non stop. Amazing band.
No matter what version of this song I hear from Michael or R.E.M., it always blows me away. So brilliant.. never gets old and actually may be better today than ever before!!
So true, I've been going through live versions on RUclips and they all sound magnificent!
R.E.M is just... an amazing band. And Nightswimming is absolutely one of my personal favorites.
Such a great piece, triggers so many emotions
a year ago i met Mike and Peter in person that was the best day in my life :)
I was lucky enough to meet Peter in 2019 in a little club in Massachusetts he was playing with another band called filthy freinds and he came out after the show
The first song I ever fell in love with over 20 years ago when U first heard it. Thar piano part as "simple" as it is is surprisingly hard to play over and over - Mike Mills does a great job.
One of my all time fav songs from one of my all time fav albums.
My gosh! First Daysleeper, then Nightswimming! Beautiful songs!!
best voice live ever
Beautiful ❤️
Absolutely beautiful ❤️
My daughter is 10 and i cannot wait until she can play this on her piano. I literally cannot wait.
can she play it yet
@@cougarlucas she was getting there but her piano broke when we moved house. So we are hoping to get a new one when we can . X
@@Laura......Did your daughter learn to play this after all?
I am a beginner but would love to play someday, too! 😊
I'm not good at all on piano and can manage to play this. Like somebody else said on here somewhere its actually pretty simple,(the why of why it's so beautiful). The challenge is playing it over and over and keeping rhythm. Mike Mills runs a flawless marathon with this amazing composition. Lots of great tutorials on the True for it.
It’s hard to choose your favourite song of all time, this is mine ❤
Millsey sure can tickle the ivories.
I want to like this a thousand times over, it's amazing how they still have it and well seem it get better and better over time
Love this track remember when this album came out I used to listen to this all the time, wish I was back there now
this was 13 years ago...
+danlad10
it was 1993 the song came out 23 year ago
I wasnt talking to you oliver. I was talking to the guy who said they have still got it. when it was only 10 years after the song release
Definitely brings back memories. Powerful songs evoke powerful memories.
I never knew a song about skinny dipping could be so beautiful
best comment ever
Oliver Bendt excellent commentary
Quite magical...……...one of my top 5 Rem songs
Pure human expression and I'm sad the rest of the universe doesn't hear it
So beautiful!!
I've always thought this song was about homosexual repression. Yet somehow bravery and honesty..
The longing for openness if only under cover of dark. The thril of being free.
The wish for the peace a love deserves.
Mark McGinty Actually, it's about taking a dip at night at an off-limits beach. But, I like your interpretation.
The Cool One I appreciate your consideration. My reasons come from witnessing loved ones go through that and this song partly making sense of it to me.
glorious regardless.
I thought the same thing :)
Beautiful song!
The man playing keyboards is Ken Stringfellow. He plays with them live and he´s got a great band: The Posies. And plays with Big Star too.
I love them
First heard this song when I was in high school , now I'm working and have 3kids,.it chills me still!!
So beautiful.
The best performance of this is the Jools Holland one. Search the video you won't be dissapointed 👍
sublime ...
Perfect 😍
What A tune
Always wanted to go nightswimming...but then, there's fish most active, too :/
I need a pool!!!!
AOL Sessions had some really good stuff.
You sure can't beat strings as soon they came in it added emotion to this song.
Brilliant,thankyou
I will put this song second to Pet Sounds "God Only Knows" for my generation.
I got to see them in San Antonio with Wilco opening. What an incredible night.
Jonathan Elmore wow well done
Fucking awesome MUSICAL SKILL.
VERY NICE. Super!!!!
❤❤❤❤❤
Vi amo!!!
The Austin City Limits version of this song with Coldplay, is simply stellar.
puckdropper27 he actually sheds a tear at the end of that performance. That was the day I knew I had to grow up. Not sure why. I had a kid and was married, had a home and a good job. 2 years later, she'd be dead, and I'd be raising a child on my own. Things are better. It will always get better as long as I move forward.
Great band and very talented
I know I'm replying to a comment from 7 months ago, but that short sleeved musician is Ken Stringfellow, a touring (and sometimes studio) musician of the band from 1998-2005.
masterpiece and beyond
Beautiful song.
He's Mike Mills, the bass player
GREAT.
aol sessions used to be so good!!
Live at Jerry Springer!
ddaze618 you are not funny so stop trying to be.
Lol...that was funny.
Jerry jerry jerry
September’s coming soon
I’m pining for the moon
And what if there were two
Side by side in orbit
Around the fairer sun
Wow.
Oh yeah, now I can see
❤
Where can I find the full REM session@AOL? searched everywhere no luck :(
I've looked too. I remember 2004-2005 (I was about 13-14) I came across all these on Winamp and that's when I fell in love with R.E.M., especially this song. Even to this day, I can listen to hours and hours of them.
The VHS is off by 5 % ish
I meant the the third musician. The one in the short sleeves.
Michael..........wat no stripe...?
@StinkiwinkiPoo
every street light reveals a picture in reverse
no its mikey mills
👤
I meant the guy who is very visible after 4:00
@jualrumahcibubur I'm not sure all those people understand.
Is that Peter Buck on keyboards? It doesn't look like him.
Pretty sure it’s about skinny dipping man
Ander skin
lol
audio is awful? why not grace a beautiful song with decent recordings