(guest blogged by Howie Klein)
Last night some exceptionally great bands were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. My two favorites were Patti Smith and R.E.M.

I've had a lot of favorite R.E.M. songs since I first got turned on to their music by my friend and fellow KUSF dj Denise Sullivan in 1982. But the first time I really listened to "Everybody Hurts" it was because someone came running into a meeting at Warner Bros, kind of hysterical, yelling that he was holding the best video he'd ever seen. He played it. I loved it too-- but not as much as I loved the song. I was just floored. I can never get enough of its power, intensity and shear humanity.

Take a look and take a listen and join everyone here at Crooks and Liars World Headquarters in congratulating R.E.M. on a well deserved honor-- and on a career that has brought so much beauty into a world that needs beauty so badly.

Tonight's contest is simple. Send us a paragraph about anything you want-- but using the titles of your 10 favorite R.E.M. songs in the body. Send the enties to downwithtyranny@aol.com and then keep your fingers crossed that you win the XL-R.E.M. hoodie and the DVD, When the Light Is Mine: The Best of the IRS Years.