How R.E.M. Changed Music

Sources/further reading and watching:
David Buckley (2002). R.E.M.: Fiction: An Alternative Biography.

An annotated script of this video:

0:00 Formation
3:39 The College Radio Darlings Era
11:58 The Mainstream Era
23:59 The Post-Bill-Berry Era
30:41 Legacy

R.E.M. remains one of the most influential and successful bands of all time. Before they were in the mainstream, they influenced the mainstream. When they finally entered the mainstream, they permanently changed it. R.E.M. is also one of the few bands to be both critically acclaimed yet extremely popular. And when I say “critically acclaimed,” I mean they are undeniably one of the most critically acclaimed bands of all time. I know, I know, critics are overrated, right? Well, they also have sold more than 90 million records worldwide. R.E.M. was a HUGE reason why “college rock” and “alternative rock” even exist in the first place. Look, when a band literally CREATES new genres of music, they’re kind of a big freaking deal.

So what’s your favorite R.E.M. song and album? My favorite song by them is “Shiny Happy People,” but any time I sing karaoke my first go-to pick is often “It’s the End of the World as We Know It.” My favorite album? That’s a tough one, but yeah I’ll probably go with Automatic for the People to avoid scrutiny down there. Anyway, let me know yours below. Thanks for watching!

#rem #musicdocumentary #behindthemusic

[mattbeatgoeson]

What's your favorite R.E.M. album?

[christophercox]

It must have around 1998 I asked my mum to buy me an REM album for my birthday. I was mildly disappointed when she bought me UP. I guess it was new and on the shelves so i can't blame her too much. Still, I listened to it relentlessly whilst playing video games and, despite it's poor reception, the album grew and grew on me. Songs like Sad Professor, Walk Unafraid and Daysleeper remain among my favourites to this day, and I own their entire catalogue. I really do love R.E.M.

[gregsuarez]

The fact that people slept on post-Berry R.E.M. is ridiculous. Up -> Reveal -> Around the Sun is one of the most effective run of albums, especially late career albums, of any band I've ever heard. The music is introspective, experimental, and simply beautiful. Reveal is an absolute gem of positivity, and "Aftermath" from Around the Sun stands out as one of the band's warmest, most emotionally enveloping song in its catalog. Limiting one's snobbish preferences to only their early work is robbing a person of some amazing songs, if you're willing to embrace change.

[rbraxley]

I was in Athens from 79-84 and saw them countless times in clubs, festivals, and then in auditoriums. I saw their 3rd public performance, and they were already a solid unit (and just kept getting better). There were so many great bands in Athens during that period. Seeing R.E.M. at Tyrones (many times) was my Beatles at the Cavern moment. One of the great bands in the history of rock-n-roll.

[familydogg]

Let's not forget Kate Pierson sings on " Shiney Happy People" and John Paul Jones arranged strings on " Automatic For the People". There are quite a few VARIOUS ARTISTS compilations with a New Song unavailable elsewhere. And a hidden track on " Green" cd

[topfacemod]

As an indie scene guy born and bred in NC, REM is as influential on our scene now as they were at their peak.

[dinosaurcola]

I will forever admire R.E.M. for how amazingly they handled their fame and how they did what they wanted to do until the end

[irresponssibility]

Being a huge R.E.M. fan muself I almost gave up trying to find people who think the same. Thanks for not only remembering the band but also making this video. Love them, love you

[Redmenace]

Grew up with Murmur, Reckoning. Attended a concert for Reckoning, blew me away. Thought that Document was the pinnacle. Grew up, started work, couldn't hang out in record stores anymore. After the years go by, Automatic and Monster hit me as new, fresh and fantastic.(Thank you Peter Buck) Never say, "sell out". They kept growing as artists, and each work was honest, if not successful.
Video has little commentary but it is obvious that Mike Stipe is a douche. Berry, Mills, and Buck are equal genius without the celebrity drama.
Radio Free Europe belongs in the Library of Congress collection, and thank you for that trivia bit. Made me smile.

[brandonayong]

This channel is like that one friend that lives away from your group of friends and that you only see so rarely but every time he's in town you cherish every minute you have with him 😂

[michaelratcliff]

REM's first 5 records are pure gold. The next 5 are exceptionally good. It's fun to listen to their catalog back-to-back. You can hear them grow. It's amazing.

[void]

My most favorite band for many reasons. They were great musicians who handled their success incredibly well

[JoshuaLoewen]

Once you know Automatic For the People is almost entirely about death, it’s hard not to be blown away by it’s depth and beauty.
That being said, Life’s Rich Pageant crushes every time. ❤

[stevemoody]

At My Most Beautiful is probably my favorite song of theirs and Monster is likely my favorite album, though you might get seven different answers each day of the week. One of the greatest bands ever and these days about the most under-appreciated ever. Thanks for shining a little light their way. These kids today don't know about rock music. I tell ya, back in my day we knew what was good!

[toddb]

Great video, thanks. I bought Fables of the Reconstruction when it first came out while I was in law school and bought all of their albums thereafter through Monster when released. I guess I did not ever research charts/sales figures to realize just how popular Out of Time, Automatic for the People and Monster were. To me R.E.M. was always just my own quirky little moderately successful favorite band. Thanks for setting me straight! Love this video.

[mickcollins]

Bittersweet me is my favorite, hands down.

The punchy distortion chords going into the chorus and the line ‘I’d sooner chew my leg off than get trapped in this.’ Really spoke to me.

To this day I mutter that line to myself under my breath as a reminder that I should avoid some unhealthy drama.

[TwoCoffinsForSleep]

Got to sneak into the Georgia Theatre and watch REM perform for the Flagpole’s 15 year (I think) anniversary. Athens was such a great place to be back then…🖤

[void]

Murmur almost has a magical feel about it. It feels like it came out of nowhere, there was nothing like it before and after the album came out

[earphermes]

During the Monster tour they played in Cologne, Germany, Open air and free of charge, in the middle of the City, right on the steps of the Cologne Cathedral. When they start 'Losing my religion' it was the goosebumps moment i will cherish till i die.

[Kylefassbinderful]

I loved Accelerate a lot. It was very energetic and I often blasted it in my car on the way to/from work at Starbucks, the place where I bought the album. I think bands like them had a hard time with sales because we were within the first decade of internet music and the controversy that followed. The music industry as a whole had a hard time dealing with it especially artists from the 20th century.