The “pivotal” song that changed the career of R.E.M.
Although R.E.M. are most famous for their immense crossover success in the 1990s, a period which produced cultural cornerstones such as ‘Everybody Hurts’ and ‘Losing My Religion’, the band’s history stretches far beyond these notable moments.
R.E.M. had been around for over a decade before they scored hit success after forming in Athens, Georgia, in 1980. Starting life as a somewhat rudimentary indie outfit with a specific jangly sound, they came to be regarded as something of an American equivalent to The Smiths. The unique vocals of frontman Michael Stipe and guitarist Peter Buck’s piercing work were also a potent partnership like that of Mancunian counterparts Morrissey and Johnny Marr. In addition to their southern gothic angle, this made R.E.M. stand out from the mass of bands their era produced.
Broadly speaking, the 1980s is a somewhat underrated era of R.E.M. Their career before the release of Green – the record that saw them start to leap towards the heights of the ensuing decade, containing classics such as ‘Orange Crush’ – had produced various highlights. They constantly metamorphosed over this chapter as they experimented with sonics, developed creatively, and continued their upward trajectory.
It all started with their 1983 debut, Murmur, which acts as a fine introductory body of work. Although it is undoubtedly raw, the record points to the heights the quartet would later hit. The lead single, ‘Radio Free Europe’, was also a brilliant way to commence the album. It’s an early indie classic that became a hit on college campuses across the United States and received critical acclaim.
According to the band’s former drummer Bill Berry, who was forced to quit in 1997 following a brain aneurysm two years prior, the song was a “pivotal” moment for their career. At the time, R.E.M. struggled to make ends meet at the time of its release, but the track opened the door to their future, which would be increasingly fruitful.
“This song was pivotal to the continuation of our career,” Berry says in Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982-2011. “Most fans may not realize that for two years before Murmur was released, we barely made financial ends meet by playing tiny clubs around the southeast. Our gasoline budget prevented us from venturing further.”
He explains: “Put simply, our existence was impoverished. College radio and major city club scenes embraced this song and expanded our audience to the extent that we moved from small clubs to medium-sized venues and the additional revenue made it possible to logically pursue this wild musical endeavour. I dare not contemplate what our fate would have been had this song not appeared when it did.”
Listen to ‘Radio Free Europe’ below.
