Thirty years ago, R.E.M. released arguably their most successful song. It isn't their best song, or my favorite, but it is the song that catapulted them from critics' darling to multi-platinum success. Some say its album, Out Of Time, is the demarcation line between two different R.E.M.s. I disagree - I think that lies with Green, their first album on Warner after leaving IRS. But there is definitely something different about this song and its album than its predecessors. Whether that something is good, or bad, is hard to say. When you enjoy what an artist is doing, it's difficult to see them change, to evolve. Many old R.E.M. fans hated this song and just about everything they did moving forward. I thought that was a little extreme. I was happy for them - they deserved the success. But, I will admit, I consider the best R.E.M. album post Document to be The King Is Dead by The Decemebrists.
Anyway, this documentary looks at the song's origin and impact not only on R.E.M., but American society. Worth thirty minutes of your time.
BTW - I had never in my life heard the phrase "Lost my religion" before I heard this song. And I'm pretty Southern. Of course, I'm from a different part of the South than Stipe, so maybe that's it.
Also, I feel really, really old.
History of the Hit Song: Losing My Religion
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