I know, it’s too low. I’m sorry. But I don’t much care for Bob Dylan, and this is John Lennon trying to be Bob Dylan. He still produces a much better result than the actual Bob Dylan, and at least he didn’t make a career out of trying to be Bob Dylan like Roger McGuinn, but then again, Peter Buck from R.E.M. made a career out of trying to be Roger McGuinn and I’m a big fan of Peter Buck from R.E.M. so I guess the whole point I’m trying to make here is…wait, what point am I trying to make? I don’t know.

The point is that I could listen to the little guitar riff between each line during the verses of R.E.M.’s “Sitting Still” on an infinite loop and never get tired of it.

 

I’m not denying that it’s a well-written pastiche, but John Lennon doesn’t have to pretend to be anyone. He’s John freakin’ Lennon. His mumbled delivery doesn’t do the impassioned lyrics any favors, and musically I don’t feel like there’s a whole lot going on until you get to the flute at the end. Lyrically and melodically, it’s quite nice, so I think I would love it if it were presented in a different style. But then, that’s probably the reason why so many people love it, so what do I know? Do I look like John Lennon? Or Bob Dylan, or Roger McGuinn, or Peter Buck for that matter?

Now, I will make a concession: like everyone else on the planet, I love the “Hey!”s that open each chorus. See, I’m not a total monster.