45 years later and Michael Stipe still doesn’t know why REM’s ‘Radio Free Europe’ is genius
A work of genius.
A single is a song released independently from an album or as a preview of an upcoming record, serving as one of the music industry’s primary formats for introducing new material. Originally issued on vinyl records with an A-side and B-side, singles have evolved through cassette, CD and digital formats to become the dominant method of music distribution in the streaming era. Hit singles have played a central role in shaping popular culture, launching careers and defining musical movements across genres. This tag covers the latest news, reviews, features and opinion relating to new single releases, chart performances, artist announcements and the evolving role of the single in contemporary music.
The top of the singles format.