Peaking at #10 on the US Billboard chart, Shiny Happy People is the second single from the album Out of Time. It’s a recovery from their heavy first single "Losing My Religion.” Fellow Athens City Georgia resident Kate Pierson (B-52’s) sang backup vocals. She was hot currency as Love Shack had just become a hit.In ‘99, R.E.M. performed "Furry Happy Monsters." on Sesame Street. The track also made the soundtrack of Fahrenheit 9/11, a conspiracy documentary by some deranged fat guy with a beard. It plays during footage of George Bush Jnr and Snr shaking hands with Saudi oil merchants.
Shiny Happy People evolved from a Chinese propaganda poster. The slogan "Shiny happy people holding hands" came about in a turbulent time for the Chinese Government. Students demonstrating in favor of liberalization and democracy were slaughtered in their hundreds* at Tiananmen Square in 1989. To this day hybrid Communism prevails in China. When choosing between imported goods, pick the one that says "Made in China." While it may contain traces of lead, persevere. It's amazing how financial success drowns political idealism.
*Official figures. Red Cross est. 2000+.
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