Man on the Moon: Music from the Motion Picture [Soundtrack][Import]

Various Artists - Soundtracks - 1999, R.E.M.

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: November 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack, Import
• Label: Warner Bros UK
• ASIN: B00002Z883
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #75,675 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Mighty Mouse Theme Song (Here I Come to Save the Day) - The Sandpipers

2. Great Beyond - Exile

3. Kiss You All Over - Bob James

4. Angela [Theme from Taxi]

5. Tony Thrown Out - R.E.M.

6. Man on the Moon - Andy, Jim Carrey, R.E.M.

7. This Friendly World

8. Miracle

9. Lynne & Andy

10. Rose Marie - Andy Kaufman

11. Andy Gets Fired

12. I Will Survive - Tony Clifton

13. Milk and Cookies

14. Man on the Moon - Andy Kaufman

15. One More Song for You - R.E.M.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Andy Kaufman managed to blur the line between his life and sur-reality. Completely transforming himself into his characters--for better or (more often) for worse--Kaufman viewed limits as something worth being tested. His own death by cancer at first seemed to be just another of his elaborate put-ons, on par with his affection for female mud wrestling. But his very real death guaranteed his legacy. R.E.M. paid him tribute several years ago with the movie's title track, and now they've come back to finish the job, contributing the film's score and "The Great Beyond," a melancholy number that stands as one of R.E.M.'s strongest songs in years. Several tracks of Kaufman himself--leading a spirited romp through the Mighty Mouse theme song, yodeling a sensitive, country-tinged "Rose Marie," singing as Tony Clifton (belting out a terse "I Will Survive"), and then inviting the audience out for milk and cookies--as well as the theme from Taxi and a few other comedic odds and ends, round out the portrait with suitable wackiness and pathos. --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Achievement For R.E.M., November 23, 1999

By	John Orfield (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Really is there anything R.E.M. can't do? Sure, I'm biased-- I've been a fan for a decade and a half now (God, I'm getting old) so the idea of R.E.M. working the score for a movie really excited me. And they don't disappoint. The title track is easily one of R.E.M.'s best songs and the new track "The Great Beyond" (unveiled on the "Up" tour) came across a lot better live than it does here but it's still an instant classic. R.E.M.'s instrumentals are delicate and moving, especially "Miracle" and "Milk and Cookies". And the orchestral version of "Man On The Moon" doesn't come as close to Muzak as one might expect. What keeps this from getting 5 stars is the bizarre "This Friendly World" which seems like a pretty neat song but the "banter" between Michael, Andy and Tony just doesn't work at all ("Hi Andy, do you want to sing a song together?" "It's a friendly world, don't you think so, Michael?")

That aside, the key here--the real proof of R.E.M.'s brillance--is that the band doesn't dominate the proceedings. Andy is the point of all this after all. When you listen to this, you don't think you're listening to R.E.M., you're thinking about Andy and that's not such a bad thing. Way to go, guys.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Sountrack. R.E.M does it again!, November 29, 1999

By	Chris Houston (Ohio) - See all my reviews

First off, when people are reviewing this, remember that it is only a soundtrack with the goal of promoting a movie. First, I love the new R.E.M. song, The Great Beyond, and I admit that is the reason I bought this CD. But everything else flows so completely well. The dialogue makes perfect sense where it is, and will probably work even better once I have seen the movie. The brevity of it (37 minutes) bugged me at first, but I have now come to appreciate it as it is easily digested in one sitting and never seems to be dragging on. Remember that this is supposed to be more a timeline of Andy's life and not an R.E.M. album and not a CD full of catchy radio tunes. Just sit back, relax, and remember Andy Kaufman and you will enjoy this immensely.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IN THE SPIRIT OF ANDY, May 6, 2002

By	Screendoor (The Prairie) - See all my reviews

This soundtrack composed of mainly R.E.M. songs stays true to the essence that was Andy Kaufman. R.E.M. fan rejoice. Andy fans rejoice. This album was made especially for you. There are several standout tracks such as "The Great Beyond," "This Friendly World," (which is a duet between Michael Stipe and Jim Carrey) and of course "Man on the Moon." But what truly make this album worthwhile are the little skits performed by various members of the cast in between songs. This is an excellent album a far as soundtracks go. It was not composed of hit songs just to make money. It is a well put together album. I give it 5 stars.