R.E.M. released its first single—"Radio Free Europe"—in 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"—career 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 don’t know how that band does what they do. God, they’re 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."
Reno
R.E.M. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the way to Reno
You've dusted the non-believers
And challenged the laws of chance
Now sweeter
You're so sugar sweet
You may as well have had Kick Me
Fastened on your sleeve
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
"Wing" is written on your feet
Your Achilles' heel
Is the tendency
To dream
But you've know that from the beginning
You didn't have to go so far
You didn't have to go
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
You know who you are
You know who you are
You know who you are
Hummin'
All the way to Reno
You've written your own directions
And whistled the rules have changed
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star (star)
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star (star)
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star (star)
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star (star)
Hummin'
All the way to Reno
All the way to Reno
All the way to Reno
You're gonna be a star, you are, you are
You're gonna be a star
You're gonna be a star, you are, you are
You're gonna be a star
The lyrics to R.E.M.'s "Reno" describe a person who is on the path to stardom, though they may not have chosen this path intentionally. The singer in the song seems to have a certain kind of charm and a sweet disposition that has helped them to overcome challenges and win over doubters. The lyrics also acknowledge that this person is not without their own vulnerabilities - their dreams can sometimes be their "Achilles' heel," perhaps making them prone to disappointment or bouts of self-doubt.
The chorus of the song really drives home the message of the lyrics: "You know what you are / You're gonna be a star." Despite any obstacles they may face or doubts they may harbor, the singer is destined for greatness. The song seems to suggest that this person is perhaps not aware of just how talented they are, or may be surprised by their own success. They have written their own rules, however, and they will keep humming along all the way to Reno, where they will shine like a star.
Overall, "Reno" is a song about recognizing one's own talents and potential, and following that path to its fullest expression. It is a celebration of those who overcome obstacles and setback, and who ultimately find success through their own unique gifts and perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
Hummin'
Starting off with a humming sound.
All the way to Reno
Undeterred and unstoppable, heading towards the desired destination.
You've dusted the non-believers
You've surpassed the obstacles posed by the naysayers.
And challenged the laws of chance
Your actions have defied the expectations of probability.
Now sweeter
After overcoming the initial challenges, victory feels sweeter.
You're so sugar sweet
You exude an irresistible charm and confidence.
You may as well have had Kick Me Fastened on your sleeve
Others may attempt to bring you down through passive-aggressive tactics, but you remain unfazed.
You know what you are
You possess self-awareness and confidence in your abilities.
You're gonna be a star
You have the potential to achieve great success and recognition.
"Wing" is written on your feet
You have the drive and skills to soar towards your goals.
Your Achilles' heel
However, you have a potential weakness that could hinder your progress.
Is the tendency to dream
Your tendency to get lost in your own ambition and imagination could lead to overlooking important details.
But you've know that from the beginning
You're not deluded about your shortcomings and constantly work to overcome them.
You didn't have to go so far
You went above and beyond what was expected, but it wasn't necessary for your success.
You've written your own directions
You've taken control of your own path towards success and created your own strategy.
And whistled the rules have changed
You've embraced change and adapted to new circumstances, regardless of how unexpected they are.
You know who you are
You have a clear sense of self and identity.
You're gonna be a star (star)
Reiteration of the potential for greatness and success.
All the way to Reno
Undeterred and unstoppable, heading towards the desired destination (repeated for emphasis).
You're gonna be a star, you are, you are
Repeated reinforcement of the belief in the individual's potential for success and greatness.
You're gonna be a star
Final statement of belief in the individual's potential for success and greatness.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@luisnajle6403
Humming all the way to Reno
You've dusted the non believers
And challenged the laws of chance
Now, sweet
You were so sugar sweet
You may as well have had 'kick me'
Fastened on your sleeve
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
Wing is written on your feet
Your Achilles heel is a tendency to dream
But you've known that from the beginning
You didn't have to go so far
You didn't have to go
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
You know who you are
You know who you are
You know who you are
Humming all the way to Reno
You've written your own directions
And whistled the rules of change
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
Humming all the way to Reno
You're gonna be a star, you are
You're gonna be a star
You're gonna be a star, you are
You're gonna be a star
@janeperkins8870
Michael Stipe's voice is like honey mixed with butter, sugar and a smooth cognac served by a fire, while wrapped up in a warm blanket and looking up to the stars..........His voice is the epitome of bliss......
@elizabethbach5421
I feel the same way as you, Jane Perkins!
@jacgrobbelaar2425
Jane, your description is absolutely immaculate. Spot on my lady!
@lawrencegregory9235
How poetic :)
@maria62272
Is very true
@laurettewilcock1934
Agreed ! 😘
@frankpittarese5681
This video was filmed at my (now-closed) high school. I wasn't even aware of it until today, and although I graduated some 17 years before it was shot, I was moved by these images. Seeing those hallways, those kids—and even my former gym teacher Mr. Nash—felt like looking into the past.
@burkesongs
Very cool!
@ChorusArtists
Wow, a video that illustrates why we all loved REM as much as we do. They're good people, period.
@garycarr3857
remhq