Definitive Guide To REM
The anticipation would grow as the release date for their next album would approach. After my friends and I bought our copies of the album, rigorous debates would ensue about which songs were great and why the album was better/worse than their previous offering. REM were one of the few bands that could spark intense dialogue and I think that mainly had to do with the fact that you either got it or you didn't. For the glam-metal contingent, this band was too "light" and the euro kids didn't think they had enough flair. At the time, it wasn't popular or "cool" to like REM. They were seen as this nerdy, weird band talking about things that were un-important.
This was fine by us because we knew better. It was like this secret that only a few people knew about. REM were probably the reason I started becoming the champion of the unknown or underdog. When the band gets too popular and everyone knows their music, it's always time for me to find a new band. I stopped listening to REM after "Automatic For The People" because they were a household name by that point.
So without further ado, I bring you the quintessential Top 10 REM songs from my perspective.
Other Music Lenses :
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1. "World Leader Pretend"
Green
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 06/04/2012)
This song resonated with me on a multitude of levels. The lyrics, like my personality at that time, were construed in my brain as self-deprecating and listening intently to Michael Stipe's every word was as if he were singing the song and narrating my life. Growing up, I tended to beat myself up more than anyone else could. I guess it was just one of those defense mechanisms. The very opening line sets the tone for how I felt : "I sit at my table / Wage war on myself".
The haunting slide guitar and string arrangements were great, but the piano parts during the bridge are what knocked me for a loop. This song didn't push me further into a dark place, it pretty much made sense of the way I processed things. It was as if I were getting advice or vindication for my way of being at the time.
2. "Exhuming McCarthy"
Document (R.E.M. No. 5)
Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 06/04/2012)
I would have to say that "Document" is probably my favorite, of all R.E.M. albums. I always preferred the bands upbeat and mid-tempo songs, as opposed to their slower ballads. "Sharpening stones / walking on coals / to improve your business acumen" has got to be one of the most intellectual lyrics I can remember. This whole album, for me, was thought provoking and pivotal towards my final high school days. The tenor sax parts in this song didn't hurt either.
3. "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville"
Reckoning
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 06/04/2012)
R.E.M. had this uncanny knack of helping me daydream. They had several songs about cities they had been to or places that they had seen. Growing up in Tulsa, OK left me a little behind in the way of culture. I didn't care or seek it out and it didn't try to find me. My escape was to listen to records and hear depictions of midwestern towns I would probably never get to experience. Of the numerous songs R.E.M. sings about places, this is my favorite. Mainly for its tempo and instrumentation. Peter Buck had that jangly guitar part that I really enjoyed.
4. "Can't Get There From Here"
Fables Of The Reconstruction
Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 06/04/2012)
"Can't Get There From Here" was an instant classic with me. This song was faster than most of their tunes, Peter Buck's guitar parts were stellar and I really enjoyed the bass line. When I would be hanging out with my friends, this song was an instant "air band" moment. We would all assume one of the parts to the song. The falsetto backing vocal was always classic when we had too many Milwaukee's Best Lights or Keystone's between us. High school marching band had its way of permeating into every discussion or song we'd listen to. It was just a natural reaction to start imitating one of the musical parts to the song. Once I learned to read music and play an instrument, it was difficult for me just to enjoy music. I was all about dissecting every single part. I absolutely loved the Baritone Sax parts on this track because I played alto saxophone at the time, so it struck a nerve.
5. "Fall On Me"
Life's Rich Pageant
Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 06/04/2012)
This was a slower song for me, but I really enjoyed the thought provoking lyrics. R.E.M. were really big with Greenpeace at the time and this seemed to be used as a theme song for random PSA's for acid rain and a host of other issues. My favorite part to this song is Mike Mills' backing vocals. I really liked the harmony and trade-off between Michael Stipe and Mike Mills. They had fantastic chemistry and it just clicked with me.
6. "Finest Worksong"
Document (R.E.M. No. 5)
Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 06/04/2012)
This song was the classic head-bobbing anthem during pool parties in the summer. When they played this song live, the crowd exploded with cheers and happiness. This is definitely vintage-R.E.M.
7. "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)"
Reckoning
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 06/04/2012)
This song was quintessential of the "Jangle" era. Numerous songs off this record had a Jangle-Pop-Kids-In-The-Hall vibe to it. The bass parts on this song are nice, as well.
8. "Half A World Away"
Out Of Time (U.S. Version)
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 06/04/2012)
I know, I know. At this point, you're asking me why I haven't listed any of their super popular hits. You know what? Their super popular hits were the songs I liked the least. That was the beauty of R.E.M. For me, the album tracks that got little or no exposure were the true gems and songs I could call my own. While the bandwagon jumpers are really into that cheesy "Stand" or "Losing My Religion", I'm enjoying songs like "Texarkana", "Half A World Away" and whatnot. This was a band that you needed a shovel to find the good stuff. Dozens of diamonds in the rough. This song tended to make me drift and think about what it would be like to live on the beach. It was very light and put me in a happy, yet reflective mood when I heard it.
9. "Near Wild Heaven"
Out Of Time (U.S. Version)
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 06/04/2012)
And here you have it, the first legitimate "hit" listed. Michael Stipe is singing most, if not all of the backing vocals on this one. I would have to say that this is the last R.E.M. album that I was really into. I liked a few of their songs after this album, but this was the last entire album I was really into. I guess I was getting older and my tastes were changing.
10 - "Cuyahoga"
Life's Rich Pageant
Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 06/04/2012)
"Chuyahoga" was another one of those classic tracks about towns I had never visited or might not ever visit. I guess my enjoyment of this song was more of a voyeuristic approach. My knowledge and interpretations of "Cuyahoga" are reflected in this song. If it weren't for this song, I wouldn't even know that the place existed.
Honorable Mentions
Driver 8Love Is All Around (MTV Unplugged)
Disturbance At The Heron House
Radio Free Europe
Superman
Green Grow The Rushes
Me In Honey
Swan Swan H
Country Feedback
Classic R.E.M. MP3s
| Track | Artist | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radio Free Europe | R.E.M. | Murmur | |
| Talk About the Passion | R.E.M. | Murmur | |
| Driver 8 (Remastered) | R.E.M. | Fables of the Reconstruction (Deluxe Edition) | |
| Can't Get There from Here (Remastered) | R.E.M. | Fables of the Reconstruction (Deluxe Edition) | |
| Green Grow the Rushes (Remastered) | R.E.M. | Fables of the Reconstruction (Deluxe Edition) | |
| Finest Worksong | R.E.M. | Document | |
| Exhuming McCarthy | R.E.M. | Document | |
| Disturbance At the Heron House | R.E.M. | Document | |
| Fall On Me (Remastered) | R.E.M. | Life's Rich Pageant (Deluxe Edition) | |
| Superman (Remastered) | R.E.M. | Life's Rich Pageant (Deluxe Edition) | |
| Cuyahoga (Remastered) | R.E.M. | Life's Rich Pageant (Deluxe Edition) | |
| I Believe (Remastered) | R.E.M. | Life's Rich Pageant (Deluxe Edition) | |
| Near Wild Heaven | R.E.M. | Out of Time | |
| Texarkana | R.E.M. | Out of Time | |
| Half a World Away | R.E.M. | Out of Time | |
| Me In Honey | R.E.M. | Out of Time | |
| Country Feedback | R.E.M. | Out of Time |
Feedback
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yanquita
Apr 11, 2012 @ 7:33 pm | delete
- great top 10 list!
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mamabush
Apr 3, 2012 @ 11:41 am | delete
- I kind of came to enjoy REM late in the game, but I am definitely a fan...they have a great sound! :)
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Terrie_Schultz
Mar 9, 2012 @ 12:46 am | delete
- I used to listen to REM all the time in the early 80s. Great lens.
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Showpup
Mar 7, 2012 @ 10:20 pm | delete
- I love REM! Haven't heard them in years. Thanks for the memories!
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poddys
Jan 14, 2012 @ 12:32 pm | delete
- I don't know REM that well but I know a few of their singles. Good band, would like to listen to more of their music one of these days.
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MaxReily
Dec 10, 2011 @ 7:36 pm | delete
- I love R.E.M.! Don't ask me why, because I don't know, but my favorite R.E.M. song is "Losing My Religion".
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Close2Art
Nov 25, 2011 @ 7:04 pm | delete
- Had to come back and bless the lens, great band that was visionary....
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sousababy
Nov 19, 2011 @ 12:32 pm | delete
- Cool lens, thanks for sharing.
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susan300
Nov 12, 2011 @ 10:51 pm | delete
- Great band, great lens! I was actually listening to some R.E.M.: today. )
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RawBill
Nov 12, 2011 @ 4:16 am | delete
- I too like JackFact in the comment below was expecting this to have the predictable later hits that were more mainstream. But I was pleasantly surprised to see their earlier songs from the 80's in here. I must admit to not hearing of the band until about 87 here in Australia, but I fell in love with the band straight away. I lost a bit of interest in the 90's as their music became more mainstream though, but I was still saddened to hear of their split a few months back. Awesome Lens.
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