R.E.M.‘s “Losing My Religion” in a Major Key (video)

When I first noticed that something professing to be R.E.M.‘s “Losing My Religion” in a major key was making the rounds on the Internet, I assumed it was some sort of joke at the expense of “Shiny Happy People”. Not so. In fact, it’s a digitally reworked recording of the iconic song by a Vimeo account called Major Scaled, which has given similar treatment to songs by Metallica, the Doors, and a few others. If you’ve heard the original song, it sounds—well, weird, upbeat, and more than a little off. You don’t have to be a music theory expert to spot the difference. And if you haven’t heard the original song? I’m not sure there’s anyone alive who can share that perspective.