R.E.M. is one of the three bands that changed my life. If it wasn't for Automatic For The People, Nevermind, and Apollo 18, I might still be listening to nothing but Boston Pops and Michael W. Smith. R.E.M. had a hand in radically altering my musical taste and for that I will forever be appreciative. Now, I'm a fan of early- and mid-period R.E.M.--but don't worry, I'm not a dick about it--so this list of my favorite R.E.M. tunes noticeably lacks anything after Up. Also, the ten songs presented here are, in fact, favorites, but if included each and every one of my favorite R.E.M. songs, well, we'd be here all night and I have plans, so, you know, I gotta leave time for a shower and stuff. I'm not even wearing pants right now. So, without any further silliness, here are 10 R.E.M. songs that I totally love. It was a good run, guys. In the words of ABBA, thank you for the music. Ooh! I should do an ABBA one of these. Nick would love that.
111. "Fall on Me" (Lifes Rich Pageant)
If you were to ask me to name my very favorite R.E.M. song, I would most certainly say "Fall on Me." It is simple, catchy, and beautiful. I've always enjoyed the interplay of Michael Stipe's and Mike Mill's voices.
112. "Daysleeper" (Up)
There is a sadness to "Daysleeper" that appeals to the corporate drone I play from 7:30 to 4:30 during the work week. Stipe is not describing my job per se--I do all my sleeping in the nighttime, thank you very much--but he, or rather the character he is playing here, gets it. "My night is colored headache gray" is one of my favorite Stipe lines ever.
113. "Swan Swan H" (Lifes Rich Pageant)
If you happened by my dorm room in college, you were guaranteed to hear my roommate and I perform a cover version of this song for you. We had a little set we'd do for visitors--whether they wanted it or not--and this, I think, was the crown jewel of it. A simple, dark, and folksy tune that is a lot of fun to sing. I wonder if Brent and I could still do it? We probably could.
114. "Try Not to Breathe" (Automatic for the People)
My favorite off of the first R.E.M. album I ever purchased. I don't know what it is, but I usually gravitate to songs about death, especially when they're as tuneful as this one. It should be noted, that it only took me about two weeks after buying Automatic to own the rest of R.E.M.'s catalogue up to that point. I told you they changed my musical life. Big thanks to my mom for helping me out.
115. "Cuyahoga" (Lifes Rich Pageant)
I'm sure it's pretty obvious what my favorite R.E.M. album is by this point. This song popped up on my iPod yesterday when I was driving home from work and I wrecked my voice shouting "Cuyahoga" during the chorus. It was worth it. And look, here's a nice cover of "Cuyahoga" that one of my current favorite bands, The Decemberists, did.
116. "1,000,000" (Chronic Town EP)
A foot-stomper from the Chronic Town EP. I've beaten the crap out of my steering wheel many times listening to this one.
117. "Stumble" (Chronic Town EP)
Another rocker from the Chronic Town EP. You know what, the whole of Chronic Town is solid. Go listen to it right now!
118. "Near Wild Heaven" (Out of Time)
A nice showcase for Mike Mills. I never tire of this one. So nice.
119. "Catapult" (Murmur)
From the classic Murmur. I don't know what it's about--I mean, obviously a catapult, but what are they doing with it?--but I love Peter Buck's guitar.
120. "New Test Leper" (New Adventures in Hi-Fi)
My favorite song off of a pretty solid album.
111. "Fall on Me" (Lifes Rich Pageant)
If you were to ask me to name my very favorite R.E.M. song, I would most certainly say "Fall on Me." It is simple, catchy, and beautiful. I've always enjoyed the interplay of Michael Stipe's and Mike Mill's voices.
112. "Daysleeper" (Up)
There is a sadness to "Daysleeper" that appeals to the corporate drone I play from 7:30 to 4:30 during the work week. Stipe is not describing my job per se--I do all my sleeping in the nighttime, thank you very much--but he, or rather the character he is playing here, gets it. "My night is colored headache gray" is one of my favorite Stipe lines ever.
113. "Swan Swan H" (Lifes Rich Pageant)
If you happened by my dorm room in college, you were guaranteed to hear my roommate and I perform a cover version of this song for you. We had a little set we'd do for visitors--whether they wanted it or not--and this, I think, was the crown jewel of it. A simple, dark, and folksy tune that is a lot of fun to sing. I wonder if Brent and I could still do it? We probably could.
114. "Try Not to Breathe" (Automatic for the People)
My favorite off of the first R.E.M. album I ever purchased. I don't know what it is, but I usually gravitate to songs about death, especially when they're as tuneful as this one. It should be noted, that it only took me about two weeks after buying Automatic to own the rest of R.E.M.'s catalogue up to that point. I told you they changed my musical life. Big thanks to my mom for helping me out.
115. "Cuyahoga" (Lifes Rich Pageant)
I'm sure it's pretty obvious what my favorite R.E.M. album is by this point. This song popped up on my iPod yesterday when I was driving home from work and I wrecked my voice shouting "Cuyahoga" during the chorus. It was worth it. And look, here's a nice cover of "Cuyahoga" that one of my current favorite bands, The Decemberists, did.
116. "1,000,000" (Chronic Town EP)
A foot-stomper from the Chronic Town EP. I've beaten the crap out of my steering wheel many times listening to this one.
117. "Stumble" (Chronic Town EP)
Another rocker from the Chronic Town EP. You know what, the whole of Chronic Town is solid. Go listen to it right now!
118. "Near Wild Heaven" (Out of Time)
A nice showcase for Mike Mills. I never tire of this one. So nice.
119. "Catapult" (Murmur)
From the classic Murmur. I don't know what it's about--I mean, obviously a catapult, but what are they doing with it?--but I love Peter Buck's guitar.
120. "New Test Leper" (New Adventures in Hi-Fi)
My favorite song off of a pretty solid album.
You know what, there are still so many R.E.M. songs I love that I'm gonna have to do a Part 2. So, stay tuned.
