R.E.M is considered a pioneer of the alternative rock genre forming in 1980 and leading the genre to mainstream popularity in the 1990’s. The original members of REM, Michael Stipe ,Peter Buck , Mike Mills and Bill Berry started by playing for the college crowd and college radio in their hometown of Athens GA.
Ever since I heard my first REM song in 1989 I have been an avid REM fan. I have seen REM in concert 6 times and I’ve loved each and every show. On March 11, 2009 I had the pleasure of attending the REM tribute concert at Carnegie Hall in NYC. The concert was amazing with 20 bands playing tribute by playing one REM song each. The night was made more special when it was announced that Michael, Peter and Mike were in attendance. They honored us by performing their song “E-bow the letter” which is a wonderful collaboration with Patti Smith. Patti Smith was one of the performers that evening and she joined them on stage for a beautiful heartfelt rendition of this brilliant song.
REM enjoyed years of underground success producing albums on independent record labels. Through constant touring and play on college radio, REM hit the mainstream with their 1987 single “The One I Love” off their album Document. Following Document, REM continued to remain a powerful force in music by releasing a dozen or more critically acclaimed albums. In 2007 REM was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. Today REM remains a strong presence in the music industry and I look forward to hearing new material and seeing them in concert for many years to come.
Here are my top 10 favorite REM songs. My list focuses on the lyrics of the songs. I hope you enjoy my list and that each song inspires you as much as it has me.
10. Near Wild Heaven (1991 Out of Time) I like this song simply because Mike is singing lead and Michael is singing back-up vocals. The sound is rich and inviting with a happy poppy melody, not the usual combination of an REM song.
9. So. Central Rain (1984 Reckoning) I’m sorry, is the theme in this song for more reasons then one. “These rivers of suggestion are driving me away”.
8. Man on the Moon (1992 Automatic for the People) I was first drawn to this song from the video. The more I listed to the song the more I liked it. I love the harmonizing of Michael and Mike’s vocals and of course the subject of the song is fascinating.
7. Cant’ get here from there (1985 Fables of the reconstruction) Was written primarily by Bill Berry, the lyrics just seem to flow together to tell a story. I liked so many of the references in this song and the point in the song when they sing the following, is my favorite part
“Hands down, Calechee bound
Landlocked kiss the ground
Dirt of seven continents going round and round
Go on ahead Mr. Citywide hypnotized, suit and tied
Gentlemen, testify”
6. Talk about the passion (1983 Murmur) Simple repetitive words resonate through out the song which Michael describes as being about hunger. In the early days when Michael’s lyrics weren’t always clear you couldn’t figure out was he was singing. Now you can look the lyrics up on line to double check yourself. I did for this song as I was unfamiliar with the word “Combien”. Which turns out to be derived from the French phrase “Combien du temps?” which translates to the question “how much time?” “Not everyone can carry the weight of the world” when I hear these words I am reminded that I am not alone.
5. Strange Currencies (1995 Monster) I believe we have all felt each and every emotion this song evokes at some point in our lives. The soft, steady melody and the words create a perfect balance and get the point of the song across with no effort. “You know with love come strange currencies And here is my appeal: I need a chance, a second chance, a third chance, a fourth chance, A word, a signal, a nod, a little breath, Just to fool myself, to catch myself, to make it real, real”
4. New Test Leper (1996 New Adventures in Hi-Fi) The meaning of this song has often been misjudged. Peter once explained in a 1996 Q magazine interview that Michael wrote the song based on a person he saw on a talk show with a subject line that people judge on looks. ” I can’t say that I love Jesus That would be a hollow claim. He did make some observations And I’m quoting them today “Judge not lest ye be judged” What a beautiful refrain The studio audience disagrees Have his lambs all gone astray?” On VH1’s Storytellers in 1998, Michael further explains that he wanted to write a follow-up song to the only other song he knew that contained the word “Jesus” in the first line. That song being Patti Smith’s remake of Van Morrison’s “Gloria. After learning the true meaning of the song you develop a whole new appreciation for it’s relevance.
3. The Great Beyond (1999 Man on the Moon Soundtrack) was solely created for the movie soundtrack based on the life on Andy Kaufman. The band were fans of Andy and paid homage to his spirit in many songs. The lyrics of this song are powerful to me. I feel an intense passion for life and an abundance of hope whenever I listen to it. “I’m breaking through, I’m bending spoons, I’m keeping flowers in full bloom, I’m looking for answers from the great beyond”.
2. Leaving New York (Around the Sun 2004) This song is a beautiful tribute to the greatest city in the world that Michael penned while flying over the city. The song flows softly and effortlessly and is enhanced by Michael’s vocals and the glorious sounds of the band melding together. “It’s easier to leave then to be left behind”, in 2005 my Dad passed away and in words similar to this he said goodbye to me. The song holds a special place in my heart.
1. Fall on Me (1986 Life’s Rich Pageant) This is the first REM song I heard and I absolutely fell in love with it. The richness of Michael and Mike’s harmonies are so soothing. The meaning of the song as described by Michael is that it is about the environment and acid rain. . The song is clever and beautifully written with reference to the tale of Galileo Galilei tossing feathers and iron weights off the Leaning tower of Pisa to test the law of gravity.
It was hard for me to narrow down to 10 songs, this is my list right now, it could change with few exceptions tomorrow. I love so much of their work, for so many reasons. It seems all their songs touch me either in ways I can clearly define or ways I can’t define at all. All I know is REM rocks all around!
Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:R.E.M._songs
http://www.lyrics007.com/R.E.M.%20Lyrics/Talk%20About%20The%20Passion%20Lyrics.html
http://remhq.com/index.php
