Young Despite the Years
On Monday R.E.M. were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (which I have yet to visit, despite the best of intentions). While some prefer U2’s arena-ready anthems, I’ve always been more partial to the slightly subtler beauty of the catalogue of Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Peter Buck and (until 1997) Bill Berry. While there have been a few missteps along the way (2004’s Around the Sun isn’t aging too well), the vast majority of their work has been pretty great (Monster is better than you remember). So to commemorate this occasion, I present my top 26 R.E.M. tracks (in honor of the 26 years the band have been recording). Head over to their website to take a listen, or find the songs on your iPod. You probably have a few of them;)
Aaron’s 26 Favorite R.E.M. Songs
26. “We Walk” from Murmur
25. “Driver 8” from Fables of the Reconstruction
24. “Finest Worksong” from Document
23. “Walk Unafraid” from Up
This album isn’t a classic, but it has its moments. This song has a great message about believing in yourself (and perhaps in a greater power).
22. “World Leader Pretend” from Green
21. “Around the Sun” from Around the Sun
The band’s most recent album is probably my least favorite, though this song stands out for me. The lyrics are so optimistic and a great encouragement to never give up. “Let my dreams set me free,” indeed.
20. “The Great Beyond” from the Man on the Moon soundtrack
I had the opportunity to hear this song before its release during the 1999 Up tour. I liked it then and I like it now, even more than the film’s namesake tune.
19. “Pilgrimage” from Murmur
18. “Find The River” from Automatic for the People
Mike Mills once called this his favorite harmony. Who am I to argue?
17. “Begin the Begin” from Lifes Rich Pageant
This song from 1986 still sounds as fresh today. When I saw the band before the elections in fall 2004 it was a rallying cry for a new administration. Let’s hope that dream comes true next year.
16. “Near Wild Heaven” from Out of Time
I get lost in this one.
15. “The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight” from Automatic for the People
14. “I Believe” from Lifes Rich Pageant
Another gem from my favorite R.E.M. album
13. “At My Most Beautiful” from Up
Love that cello part.
12. “Nightswimming” from Automatic for the People
11. “Superman” from Lifes Rich Pageant
Though it’s technically a cover, their version is most famous, so it’s worthy of inclusion here.
10. “Radio Song” from Out of Time
Hey Hey Hey! Cheerfully goofy and pretty, this kicks off the band’s watershed record in fine fashion with a guest spot from rapper KRS-One.
9. “New Test Leper” from New Adventures in Hi-Fi
A beautiful track portraying (as far as I can tell) a talk show pariah as a modern day leper. Good message about sitting in judgement of other people.
8. “Electrolite” from New Adventures in Hi-Fi
This may be the band’s most underrated record, but it’s got some great stuff. This song had the fortune to be picked as one of the singles but didn’t really go anywhere. Hopefully more people were exposed through 2001’s Best Of album.
7. “You Are the Everything” from Green
One of the band’s finest moments. Stipe’s voice is so raw that you can feel the emotion coming through the speakers. Gorgeous.
6. “(Don’t Go Back to) Rockville” from Reckoning
There was once a sign to ‘Rockville’ at an amusement park I went to. I have a photo of myself indicating not to go that direction. Does this make me a geek? Most certainly.
5. “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” from Monster
I love this song, though it’s a little better quicker and live.
4. “Losing My Religion” from Out of Time
What can I say? Mac’s Pizza Pub and Tuesday night karaokee. Not only a great song but now my own standard.
3. “Cuyahoga” from Lifes Rich Pageant
The highlight from my favorite of their albums is a screed about land-grabbing and pollution. Proof that activism has been part of the “R.E.M. way” (to quote from their Simpsons apperance) since the beginning.
2. “Beat A Drum” from Reveal
Reveal is a fantastic record that reminds me of a mellow summer day. This song is the standout to me.
1. “Sweetness Follows” from Automatic for the People
The hair on the back of my neck stands up when this one comes on. Incredibly moving and representative of everything I love about R.E.M.
The band’s socially-concious efforts continue with the release of the John Lennon cover “#9 Dream” as the first single from the compilation Instant Karma – The Campaign to Save Darfur. You can buy the single now on iTunes or the full album in June.
Aaron’s 26 Favorite R.E.M. Songs
26. “We Walk” from Murmur
25. “Driver 8” from Fables of the Reconstruction
24. “Finest Worksong” from Document
23. “Walk Unafraid” from Up
This album isn’t a classic, but it has its moments. This song has a great message about believing in yourself (and perhaps in a greater power).
22. “World Leader Pretend” from Green
21. “Around the Sun” from Around the Sun
The band’s most recent album is probably my least favorite, though this song stands out for me. The lyrics are so optimistic and a great encouragement to never give up. “Let my dreams set me free,” indeed.
20. “The Great Beyond” from the Man on the Moon soundtrack
I had the opportunity to hear this song before its release during the 1999 Up tour. I liked it then and I like it now, even more than the film’s namesake tune.
19. “Pilgrimage” from Murmur
18. “Find The River” from Automatic for the People
Mike Mills once called this his favorite harmony. Who am I to argue?
17. “Begin the Begin” from Lifes Rich Pageant
This song from 1986 still sounds as fresh today. When I saw the band before the elections in fall 2004 it was a rallying cry for a new administration. Let’s hope that dream comes true next year.
16. “Near Wild Heaven” from Out of Time
I get lost in this one.
15. “The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight” from Automatic for the People
14. “I Believe” from Lifes Rich Pageant
Another gem from my favorite R.E.M. album
13. “At My Most Beautiful” from Up
Love that cello part.
12. “Nightswimming” from Automatic for the People
11. “Superman” from Lifes Rich Pageant
Though it’s technically a cover, their version is most famous, so it’s worthy of inclusion here.
10. “Radio Song” from Out of Time
Hey Hey Hey! Cheerfully goofy and pretty, this kicks off the band’s watershed record in fine fashion with a guest spot from rapper KRS-One.
9. “New Test Leper” from New Adventures in Hi-Fi
A beautiful track portraying (as far as I can tell) a talk show pariah as a modern day leper. Good message about sitting in judgement of other people.
8. “Electrolite” from New Adventures in Hi-Fi
This may be the band’s most underrated record, but it’s got some great stuff. This song had the fortune to be picked as one of the singles but didn’t really go anywhere. Hopefully more people were exposed through 2001’s Best Of album.
7. “You Are the Everything” from Green
One of the band’s finest moments. Stipe’s voice is so raw that you can feel the emotion coming through the speakers. Gorgeous.
6. “(Don’t Go Back to) Rockville” from Reckoning
There was once a sign to ‘Rockville’ at an amusement park I went to. I have a photo of myself indicating not to go that direction. Does this make me a geek? Most certainly.
5. “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” from Monster
I love this song, though it’s a little better quicker and live.
4. “Losing My Religion” from Out of Time
What can I say? Mac’s Pizza Pub and Tuesday night karaokee. Not only a great song but now my own standard.
3. “Cuyahoga” from Lifes Rich Pageant
The highlight from my favorite of their albums is a screed about land-grabbing and pollution. Proof that activism has been part of the “R.E.M. way” (to quote from their Simpsons apperance) since the beginning.
2. “Beat A Drum” from Reveal
Reveal is a fantastic record that reminds me of a mellow summer day. This song is the standout to me.
1. “Sweetness Follows” from Automatic for the People
The hair on the back of my neck stands up when this one comes on. Incredibly moving and representative of everything I love about R.E.M.
The band’s socially-concious efforts continue with the release of the John Lennon cover “#9 Dream” as the first single from the compilation Instant Karma – The Campaign to Save Darfur. You can buy the single now on iTunes or the full album in June.
posted by Aaron at 1:32 PM
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