R.E.M. released its first singleβ"Radio Free Europe"βin 1981 on the independent record label Hib-Tone. The single was followed by the Chronic Town EP in 1982, the band's first release on I.R.S. Records. In 1983, the group released its critically acclaimed debut album, Murmur, and built its reputation over the next few years through subsequent releases, constant touring, and the support of college radio. Following years of underground success, R.E.M. achieved a mainstream hit in 1987 with the single "The One I Love". The group signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1988, and began to espouse political and environmental concerns while playing large arenas worldwide.
By the early 1990s, when alternative rock began to enter the mainstream, R.E.M. was viewed by subsequent acts such as Nirvana and Pavement as a pioneer of the genre. The band released its two most commercially successful albums, Out of Time (1991) and Automatic for the People (1992), which veered from the band's established sound and catapulted it to international fame. R.E.M.'s 1994 release, Monster, was a return to a more rock-oriented sound, but still continued its run of success. The band began its first tour in six years to support the album; the tour was marred by medical emergencies suffered by three of the band members.
In 1996, R.E.M. re-signed with Warner Bros. for a reported US$80 million, at the time the most expensive recording contract in history. Its 1996 release, New Adventures in Hi-Fi, though critically acclaimed, fared worse commercially than its predecessors. The following year, Bill Berry left the band, while Stipe, Buck, and Mills continued the group as a trio. Through some changes in musical style, the band continued its career into the next decade with mixed critical and commercial success, despite having sold more than 85 million records worldwide and becoming one of the world's best-selling music artists. In 2007, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in their first year of eligibility. R.E.M. disbanded amicably in September 2011, announcing the split on its website.
In January 1980, Michael Stipe met Peter Buck in Wuxtry Records, the Athens record store where Buck worked. The pair discovered that they shared similar tastes in music, particularly in punk rock and protopunk artists like Patti Smith, Television, and the Velvet Underground. Stipe said, "It turns out that I was buying all the records that [Buck] was saving for himself." Through mutual friend Kathleen O'Brien, Stipe and Buck then met fellow University of Georgia students Mike Mills and Bill Berry, who had played music together since high school and lived together in Georgia. The quartet agreed to collaborate on several songs; Stipe later commented that "there was never any grand plan behind any of it". Their still-unnamed band spent a few months rehearsing in a deconsecrated Episcopal church in Athens, and played its first show on April 5, 1980, supporting the Side Effects at O'Brien's birthday party held in the same church, performing a mix of originals and 1960s and 1970s covers. After considering Twisted Kites, Cans of Piss, and Negro Eyes, the band settled on "R.E.M." (which is an initialism for rapid eye movement, the dream stage of sleep), which Stipe selected at random from a dictionary.
The band members eventually dropped out of school to focus on their developing group. They found a manager in Jefferson Holt, a record store clerk who was so impressed by an R.E.M. performance in his hometown of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, that he moved to Athens. R.E.M.'s success was almost immediate in Athens and surrounding areas; the band drew progressively larger crowds for shows, which caused some resentment in the Athens music scene. Over the next year and a half, R.E.M. toured throughout the Southern United States. Touring was arduous because a touring circuit for alternative rock bands did not then exist. The group toured in an old blue van driven by Holt, and lived on a food allowance of $2 each per day.
R.E.M. was pivotal in the creation and development of the alternative rock genre. AllMusic stated, "R.E.M. mark the point when post-punk turned into alternative rock." In the early 1980s, the musical style of R.E.M. stood in contrast to the post-punk and new wave genres that had preceded it. Music journalist Simon Reynolds noted that the post-punk movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s "had taken whole swaths of music off the menu", particularly that of the 1960s, and that "After postpunk's demystification and New Pop's schematics, it felt liberating to listen to music rooted in mystical awe and blissed-out surrender." Reynolds declared R.E.M., a band that recalled the music of the 1960s with its "plangent guitar chimes and folk-styled vocals" and who "wistfully and abstractly conjured visions and new frontiers for America", one of "the two most important alt-rock bands of the day." With the release of Murmur, R.E.M. had the most impact musically and commercially of the developing alternative genre's early groups, leaving in its wake a number of jangle pop followers.
R.E.M.'s early breakthrough success served as an inspiration for other alternative bands. Spin referred to the "R.E.M. model"βcareer decisions that R.E.M. made which set guidelines for other underground artists to follow in their own careers. Spin's Charles Aaron wrote that by 1985, "They'd shown how far an underground, punk-inspired rock band could go within the industry without whoring out its artistic integrity in any obvious way. They'd figured out how to buy in, not sellout-in other words, they'd achieved the American Bohemian Dream." Steve Wynn of Dream Syndicate said, "They invented a whole new ballgame for all of the other bands to follow whether it was Sonic Youth or the Replacements or Nirvana or Butthole Surfers. R.E.M. staked the claim. Musically, the bands did different things, but R.E.M. was first to show us you can be big and still be cool." Biographer David Buckley stated that between 1991 and 1994, a period that saw the band sell an estimated 30 million albums, R.E.M. "asserted themselves as rivals to U2 for the title of biggest rock band in the world." Over the course of its career, the band has sold over 85 million records worldwide.
Alternative bands such as Nirvana, Pavement, Radiohead, Coldplay, Pearl Jam (the band's vocalist Eddie Vedder inducted R.E.M. into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), and Live, have drawn inspiration from R.E.M.'s music. "When I was 15 years old in Richmond, Virginia, they were a very important part of my life," Pavement's Bob Nastanovich said, "as they were for all the members of our band." Pavement's contribution to the No Alternative compilation (1993) was "Unseen Power of the Picket Fence", a song about R.E.M.'s early days. Local H, according to the band's Twitter account, created their name by combining two R.E.M. songs: "Oddfellows Local 151" and "Swan Swan H". Kurt Cobain of Nirvana was a fan of R.E.M., and had unfulfilled plans to collaborate on a musical project with Stipe. Cobain told Rolling Stone in an interview earlier that year, "I donβt know how that band does what they do. God, theyβre the greatest. They've dealt with their success like saints, and they keep delivering great music."
During his show at the 40 Watt Club in October 2018, Johnny Marr said: "As a British musician coming out of the indie scene in the early '80s, which I definitely am and am proud to have been, I can't miss this opportunity to acknowledge and pay my respects and honor the guys who put this town on the map for us in England. I'm talking about my comrades in guitar music, R.E.M. The Smiths really respected R.E.M. We had to keep an eye on what those guys were up to. It's an interesting thing for me, as a British musician, and all those guys as British musicians, to come to this place and play for you guys, knowing that it's the roots of Mike Mills and Bill Berry and Michael Stipe and my good friend Peter Buck."
*69
R.E.M. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you've done is ignoramus 103
What've I got to hang my hat on?
You don't have a pot to pee in
All this just to be your friend
I was there until the end
Extortion and arson, petty larceny
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you hung up my line
Star 69
I know all about the warehouse fire
I know squirrels didn't chew the wires
Three people have my number
The other two were with me
I don't like to tell-tell but I'm not your patsy
This time you have gone too far with me
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you hung up my line
Star 69
Why'd you put your quarter down on me?
This reads like some dork inside edition hard copy
I can't be your character witness
I can't be your alibi
Doorbell rings it's the FBI
We learned Spy vs. Spy
You, my friend, are guilty as can be
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you hung up my line
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I can't be your alibi
Star 69
The lyrics to R.E.M.'s song *69 are a direct confrontation from one person to another. The singer is accusing the other person of being guilty of crimes such as arson and larceny. The chorus of "I know you called" repeatedly emphasizes the fact that the singer knows what the other person has done and they need to own up to it, suggesting that the person called the singer but hung up before they could answer and the singer was able to use Star 69 to identify the number. The bridge of the song features the singer questioning the actions of the other person and questioning their involvement in various criminal activities. In the final lines of the song, the singer refuses to act as an alibi for the other person, suggesting that they need to face the consequences of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't have to take the bar exam to see
Your actions are obviously foolish and misguided. It doesn't take a legal expert to recognize that.
What you've done is ignoramus 103
Your behavior is incredibly stupid and ignorant, like an introductory course in being a fool.
What've I got to hang my hat on?
I have no evidence or reason to support my friendship with you.
You don't have a pot to pee in
You are completely broke and have nothing of value.
All this just to be your friend
I've endured a lot of hardship and negative consequences just to associate myself with you.
I was there until the end
I remained loyal to you despite all of the trouble you caused for me and others.
Extortion and arson, petty larceny
You have engaged in illegal activities such as blackmail, intentional fires, and minor theft.
I know you called
I am aware that you made a phone call to me.
I know you hung up my line
You intentionally ended the phone conversation by hanging up on me.
Star 69
I used the *69 feature to call you back and find out who was calling me.
I know all about the warehouse fire
I am aware that you were responsible for the warehouse fire, despite your attempt to blame it on squirrels.
I know squirrels didn't chew the wires
Your claim that squirrels caused the warehouse fire is obviously false and can be easily disproven.
Three people have my number
There are three individuals who can contact me directly by phone.
The other two were with me
The other two individuals who know my phone number are my close associates and friends.
I don't like to tell-tell but I'm not your patsy
I don't enjoy being a snitch, but I'm not going to take the blame for your wrongdoing.
This time you have gone too far with me
Your actions have finally crossed a line and I can no longer overlook or tolerate your behavior.
Why'd you put your quarter down on me?
Why did you choose to single me out and involve me in your illegal activities?
This reads like some dork inside edition hard copy
Your actions and their consequences are so outrageous they seem more fit for a tabloid or cheesy TV news show.
I can't be your character witness
I cannot provide a positive testimony or defense of your character in any legal proceedings.
I can't be your alibi
I cannot provide an excuse or cover for your whereabouts or actions during the time of the crime.
Doorbell rings it's the FBI
Law enforcement has arrived at my door, likely to investigate or arrest us for our illegal activities.
We learned Spy vs. Spy
We have been caught and are now competing against each other to avoid punishment or implicate the other in the crime.
You, my friend, are guilty as can be
You are clearly and undeniably responsible for the illegal activities we have committed, and you will likely be punished accordingly.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills, Michael Stipe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Felipe AragΓ£o
You don't have to take the bar exam to see
What you've done is ignoramus 103
What've I got to hang my hat on
You don't have a pot to pee in
All this just to be your friend
I was there until the end
Extortion and arson, petty larceny
(chorus)
I know you called, I know you called, I know you called
I know you called, I know you called, I know you hung up my line
Star 69
I know all about the warehouse fire
I know squirrelys didn't chew the wires
3 people have my number
The other 2 were with me
I don't like to tell-tell but I'm not your patsy
This time you have gone too far with me
(repeat chorus)
Why'd you put your quarter down on me?
This reads like some dork inside edition hard copy
I can't be your character witness
I can't be your alibi
Doorbell rings it's the FBI
We learned spy vs. spy
You my friend, are guilty as can be
I know you called, I know you called, I know you called
I know you called, I know you called, I know you hung up my line
I know you called, I know you called, I know you called
I know you called, I know you called, I can't be your alibi
Star 69
starlodear
The first and only grunge album by REM. Definitely inspired by Nirvana.
Shawn Johnson
@German Morawski Other way around. REM came out before Nirvana.
Joshua Kubli
Michael Stipe and Kurt Cobain were said to have been good friends.
Sebastian Avila
I'd say Pixies were grungier but yea props to REM as well
German Morawski
@Seb I think R.E.M. was much closer to Nirvana than to Pearl Jam
Seb
I hear more pearl jam influences than nirvana but they are both there
Ricky Raven
I love this song. Not sure it wasn't a bigger hit for REM. It kicks ass.
Sybil Mae
Saw them on this tour! GREAT shows! Front Row in Montreal and Floor in Atlanta! Wow, that was 17 years ago. Love the music of the early 90's. I saw them at the 40 Watt Club (I think) in the early 80's in Athens, GA
Beatles Rem Queen-Def-Jovi
Why was "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" the only Monster song ever on a compilation, they should've had all the singles, if not the whole album. Actually, all REM songs should be on their greatest hits.
Gordon Irvine
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