Exploring The Intriguing World Of Rem Sleep

Sleep is a complex and mysterious process that is essential for the body and brain to rest and recover. During sleep, the body cycles between being awake and asleep, with certain processes occurring only during sleep. One of these processes is REM sleep, which stands for rapid eye movement sleep. This is when the eyes move rapidly in different directions, and the brain is highly active, similar to when awake. Dreams typically occur during this stage of sleep, and the muscles become temporarily paralysed to prevent people from acting out their dreams. REM sleep is important for memory consolidation, emotional processing, brain development, and dreaming. Most adults need about two hours of REM sleep each night, and a lack of it can lead to trouble coping with emotions, concentrating, and a weakened immune system.

The song 'How Does It Feel (When You're In R.E.M. (Good))' by Trouble's Afoot

"How Does It Feel (When You're In R.E.M. (Good))" is a song by Troubles Afoot, the stage name of Jordan Cooper, a producer, composer, and songwriter. The song was written by Michael Stipe, Jordan Cooper, Adam Scott, and Scott Aukerman. It was released on October 21, 2023, and features vocal samples from Scott Aukerman and Adam Scott's podcast "R U Talkin' R.E.M. RE: ME?". The song also includes a sample of Michael Stipe's concert banter from "R.E.M. - Live at the Olympia 2009".

The song holds a special meaning for Jordan Cooper, who wrote it after emerging from a difficult period in his life. In his own words, he said:

> "This is a song that means a huge amount to me because I wrote it when I came out of a very bad, a very dark period."

The song's uplifting message is reflected in its lyrics, which repeatedly ask, "How does it feel when you're in R.E.M.?" and answer with a resounding "Feels good!" The positive sentiment is further emphasised in the chorus, where the singer expresses their love for being in R.E.M. and proclaims themselves as "Fuckin' stoked!".

The song's structure and instrumentation are also notable. Despite its short length, it has become a fan favourite. Interestingly, the song has no hi-hat or cymbals, giving it a unique, heavy-hitting beat that contrasts with its light and positive lyrics. This contradiction is something that Bill Berry, a member of R.E.M., believes characterises the band's essence.

The meaning of the song to Jordan Cooper

Jordan Cooper, who performs under the name Trouble's Afoot, wrote the song "How Does It Feel (When You're In R.E.M. (Good))" after coming out of a dark period in his life. The song is about feeling good, and to Cooper, it means a huge amount as it reflects his emotional journey and newfound positivity.

The song's upbeat message of feeling good when you're in R.E.M. is a powerful statement of resilience and a testament to Cooper's ability to overcome adversity. It is a celebration of the joy and happiness he found after a challenging time. The song's positive message resonated with many people, and it became a fan-favorite, bringing joy to others and marking a turning point in Cooper's life.

Cooper's journey through hardship and his expression of newfound positivity through music is inspiring. The song's success and its ability to connect with listeners who have faced similar struggles must be meaningful to Cooper. It shows the power of music to uplift and bring people together, offering a sense of comfort and community.

Additionally, the song's creation and release also showcase Cooper's resourcefulness and determination. He created the song using clips from a podcast, initially assuming it would not reach a wide audience. However, the song took on a life of its own, gaining popularity and even being performed by other artists. This unexpected journey of the song must be a source of pride and joy for Cooper, demonstrating the impact of his creative expression.

Overall, "How Does It Feel (When You're In R.E.M. (Good))" is a personal and uplifting anthem that holds a special place in Jordan Cooper's heart. It represents his ability to persevere through difficult times and find happiness, and it has also touched the lives of many others, leaving a lasting impact.

The song's feature on the R U Talkin' R.E.M. RE: ME? podcast

The "R U Talkin R.E.M. RE: ME?" podcast is hosted by Adam Scott and Scott Aukerman, who discuss the music and impact of the band R.E.M. through an album-by-album analysis. The songs featured on the podcast include tracks from R.E.M.'s discography, as well as some of their collaborations and fan club singles.

The podcast also includes interviews with individuals connected to the band, such as R.E.M.'s in-house art director, Chris Bilheimer, and discussions about R.E.M.-related topics like their live album box set "R.E.M. at the BBC". In addition, the hosts play and discuss a song titled "How Does It Feel (When You're In R.E.M. (Good))" by Jordan Cooper, who performs under the name Trouble's Afoot. This song was created using clips from the podcast and became a staple feature.

• "How Does It Feel (When You're In R.E.M. (Good))" by Trouble's Afoot: This song, created by Jordan Cooper using podcast clips, is played and discussed in Episode 36, "Slowing It Down with David Wain". It became a fan-favorite and was played multiple times during subsequent episodes.
• R.E.M. Christmas Fan Club Singles: In one episode, the hosts discuss these seasonal releases and share treasured Christmas memories.
• "R.E.M. at the BBC": Adam Scott Aukerman discusses R.E.M.'s 2018 live album box set in this episode, along with talking about Robin Hood and the Twilight Zone.
• "Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982-2011": In the final episode of the podcast (for now), the hosts discuss R.E.M.'s "Best Of" compilation and rank the band's albums and songs.
• Fan Club Singles: In multiple episodes, the hosts delve into R.E.M.'s fan club singles, excluding the Christmas songs, and open up the R.E.M. mailbag.
• "New Adventures in Hi-Fi": The hosts discuss R.E.M.'s tenth studio album and share their experiences with the band, including how an aneurysm led to a looser 1996 album.
• "Monster" with April Richardson: Comedian April Richardson joins the hosts to discuss R.E.M.'s ninth studio album, sharing her first experiences with the band and her Top 10 R.E.M. songs.
• "Automatic for the People": Adam Scott Aukerman talks about R.E.M.'s seminal eighth studio album and share personal stories related to the band and the album's release.
• "Out of Time": The hosts discuss R.E.M.'s seventh studio album, including the negative reception to CDs and their thoughts on the 1991 release.
• "Green" with Lance Bangs: Director Lance Bangs joins the conversation about R.E.M.'s sixth studio album, sharing insights on the incorporation of the mandolin into the band's sound and the most annoying video.

The song's various versions and their origins

"How Does It Feel (When You're In R.E.M. (Good))" is a song by Jordan Cooper, who performs under the name Trouble's Afoot. Cooper created the song using clips from the podcast "R U Talkin R.E.M. Re: Me", which is hosted by Scott Aukerman and Adam Scott. The song was posted to Reddit on April 2, 2018 and was later played on the podcast by the hosts, who were not initially aware of Cooper's authorship. Since then, the song has become a staple and fan-favorite feature of the podcast, with various alternate versions being released.

The song has been released in several different versions, including:

• The original version, which was posted to Reddit and later played on the podcast.
• The Coffeehouse Acoustic Version, which is an acoustic rendition of the song.
• The Monster Tour '95 version, which may be a reference to R.E.M.'s "Monster Tour" in 1995.
• The Fan Club Christmas Single version, which was released as a holiday treat for fans.
• The Karaoke version, which features instrumental backing tracks only.
• The Dead Letter Office version, which is a live performance of the song by the band Dead Letter Office at Clusterfest in 2019.

In addition to these versions, there are also mentions of an alternate version submitted by Chris Lawrence and a short version that is only 7 seconds long.

The band R.E.M.'s thoughts on the song and its meaning

R.E.M. was an American alternative rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980. The band was made up of drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe. Known for their unique sound, R.E.M. was noted for Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style, Stipe's distinctive vocal quality and obscure lyrics, Mills's melodic bass lines, and Berry's tight, economical drumming style.

While the band's name, R.E.M., is well known as an abbreviation for rapid eye movement, the dream stage of sleep, sleep researcher Rafael Pelayo reports that when sleep scientist William Dement (who coined the term) reached out to the band, he was told that the band name was not derived from REM sleep. In fact, Stipe selected the name at random from a dictionary.

R.E.M. was pivotal in the creation and development of the alternative rock genre. Their early breakthrough success served as an inspiration for other alternative bands, and they are considered pioneers of the genre. In fact, in 1987, Rolling Stone magazine named them the "Best Band in America".

R.E.M.'s music often contained politically and socially conscious lyrics, with themes including environmentalism, feminism, human rights, and voter registration. The band also supported various causes, including the Freedom Campaign and the US Campaign for Burma, and participated in the Vote for Change tour in 2004 to support Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.

In 1997, Berry left the band due to health reasons, and in 2011, R.E.M. announced that they were disbanding. Despite their massive success, the band avoided the label of "sell-outs" because they got to the top on their own terms and maintained their integrity.

While there is no specific song titled "How Does It Feel When You're in R.E.M.," there is a song with a similar title, "How Does It Feel (When You're In R.E.M. (Good))" by Jordan Cooper, who performs under the name Trouble's Afoot. The song was created using clips from the podcast R U Talkin R.E.M. Re: Me and was played on the podcast by hosts Scott Aukerman and Adam Scott.

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