Pretty Persuasion (song)

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"Pretty Persuasion"
Song

"Pretty Persuasion" is a song by R.E.M. that was first released on the band's 1984 album Reckoning. Although not released as a single, it reached number 44 on Billboard's Rock Tracks chart.[1] According to R.E.M. biographer Tony Fletcher, it is often regarded as "the 'archetypal' R.E.M. anthem".[2]

Although not released commercially until 1984, R.E.M. performed "Pretty Persuasion" live in concert as early as 1980 and 1981.[3][2] A live version of the song was recorded for the band's 1983 debut album Murmur but was not released on that album, although the recording was eventually included as a bonus track on a 1992 release of Reckoning.[4] Producer Mitch Easter wanted to record the song again for Reckoning but the band, particularly lead singer Michael Stipe who no longer liked the song, was initially reluctant.[3] They eventually agreed to a multi-track studio recording for Reckoning due to the popularity of the song live with fans.[4][5]

Allmusic critic Bill Janovitz describes the lyrics as "an anti-consumerism take on advertising."[6] The song makes the point right away with the lines:

It's what I want
Hurry and buy
All has been tried
Follow reason and buy.[6]

As with many R.E.M. songs, the refrain, "He's got pretty persuasion/She's got pretty persuasion/God damn your confusion" is, as described by Fletcher, concise and repetitive.[2] R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck has stated that the song was originally inspired by a dream Stipe had.[5][2] In the dream, Stipe was photographing the Rolling Stones for the cover of their last single, which in the dream was entitled "Pretty Persuasion".[5][2]

The song begins with a guitar riff based on descending arpeggios.[2] Easter has noted a musical similarity to Todd Rundgren's 1972 song "Couldn't I Just Tell You" and thinks the earlier song provided some inspiration for "Pretty Persuasion".[3][4] Janovitz notes similarities with songs by The Byrds.[6] These include the guitar riffs, which although played on two six-string guitars, produce an "electric-guitar jangle" similar to that achieved by The Byrds' Roger McGuinn on his 12-string Rickenbacker guitar.[6] They also include the multi-track vocals by Stipe and bassist Mike Mills, which evoke The Byrds' vocal harmonies.[6] However, the vocals on "Pretty Persuasion" are not precisely enunciated, making the lyrics difficult to decipher at times.[6][2] Spin critics Eric Weisbard and Craig Marks described "Pretty Persuasion" as "a great rocker."[7]

In addition to being played live in the early portion of R.E.M.'s career, "Pretty Persuasion" was included in the live set as late as 2007 and 2008.[2] Fletcher regards it as one of the songs that influenced R.E.M.'s 2008 album Accelerate.[2] A live version from this tour was released on the 2009 live album Live at the Olympia.[6] "Pretty Persuasion" has also been included on several of R.E.M.'s compilation albums, including The Best of R.E.M. in 1991 and And I Feel Fine... The Best of the I.R.S. Years 1982–1987 in 2006.[6]

References

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  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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