Thought it was time I injected some R.E.M. into this blog for the simple reason that I managed to buy four of their albums from Amazon Used & New for the grand total of 21p! While I certainly won't complain I'll repay Michael Stipe and co for their many decades service to music by delving into their back catalogue.
Now if you're even slightly aware of R.E.M. you've probably heard 'Everybody Hurts' and 'Losing My Religion'. Now as great as these songs are there is so much more to the band... and let's face it after Simon and the Cowells covered 'Everybody Hurts' earlier this year for the 'Help Haiti' charity, you want to listen to as many songs as you can to hopefully knock that God-awful cover out of your head. (Good cause guys but next time at the very least write something new). In related 'Everybody Hurts' trivia, the Corrs did a fantastic 'Unplugged' version many moons ago. I may have to start a campaign to get those Irish strumpets back in the studio. Love them! But I digress...
Here are a host of R.E.M. songs that you should really take the time to listen to. Some were pretty successful singles while others are obscure gems hidden in the sands of the musical desert that is R.E.M's discography... Ok ok I'll shut up and start!
1. The Great Beyond- from 'Man on the Moon soundtrack' (1999)/'In Time- The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003' (2003)
Ok so in 1992, R.E.M. wrote a song about comedian Andy Kaufman for their 'Automatic For The People' album called 'Man On The Moon'. As well as becoming a huge fan favourite, it also became the name of a biopic on the man starring Jim Carrey at the turn of the millenium. Why is this relevant? Well R.E.M. in response provided this second song about Kaufman for the movie's soundtrack. For me this is probably R.E.M's defining moment and the song that drew my attention to the band. The song encapsulates the philosophy of a truly fascinating character and is a song I truly never grow tired of. It's the most successful R.E.M. song in UK chart history (reaching No.3) and finally took it's place on an R.E.M. album with the release of their greatest hits album 'In Time' in 2003. It is also one of the five songs I'd take with me on a desert island if I didn't have the luxury of an iPod. Simply beautiful.
2. Nightswimming- from 'Automatic For The People' (1992)
One of a couple of songs I've picked from this album and one that often gets ignored compared to the likes of 'Everybody Hurts' or 'Drive'. Nightswimming follows the story of a group of friends skinny dipping late at night. It's packed with feelings of nostalgia and reminiscence that tend to reflect claims that the song draws from the experiences of the band in younger days. The oboe piece towards the end and the string arrangement from Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones only add to an elegant yet striking song.
3. 'Belong'- from 'Out of Time' (1991)
A true hidden gem. On an album that boasts 'Losing My Religion' and 'Shiny Happy People' this song is possibly the most impactful and daring. The majority of the song is in fact spoken word which can more often than not be a huge risk. It is however brilliantly done and contrasts perfectly with the tuneful chorus which is in fact almost a powerful roar rather than a wail. The words have rumoured to be about a woman killing herself and a child but Stipe had regularly denied this. It would be a shame for such an uplifting song to have such a controversial subject manner.
4. Find The River- from 'Automatic For The People' (1992)
The definition of over looked single. Perhaps because it was the sixth single from this album, anyone who was going to hear it had heard it. Either way it's part of the best closing sequence of any album I own. (Man On The Moon/Nightswimming/Find The River) There's an almost melancholy vibe to the song which was released around the time that there were rumours of Michael Stipe having contracted HIV. There definitely seems to be a sense of death or loss within the lyrics of the song but is performed in such a way that it is anything but depressing.
5. Leaving New York- from 'Around The Sun' (2004)
'Around the Sun' was deemed a flop by R.E.M. standards. As we speak the album has only sold as much as some of their biggest albums sold in their first week. Nonetheless the lead single got a bad rap as it as strong as much of their back catalogue. Both a love song to the city of New York and the lamenting of a past relationship, it's easy to resonate with even if you've never been to the Big Apple for that very reason. On an album that will probably be forgotten in years to come sits a single that will hopefully win the battle to stay in our memories.
Try and find the music videos for the singles here on YouTube. It sadly won't let me embed them. Well worth a look though.
Until then...
