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Losing My Religion
REM
The song that signalled REM鈥檚 breakthrough to the mainstream was anything but a mainstream song. Featuring a typically enigmatic lyric from Michael Stipe and a melody played gently on a mandolin by Peter |
 Song facts |
| Composer |
REM |
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| Genre |
Rock |
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| Album |
Out Of Time |
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| Year of Release |
1991 |
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| UK Chart Position |
19 |
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Buck, the track is a world away from the catchy pop of 鈥淪hiny Happy People鈥, the band鈥檚 next single and the one which their record label predicted would crack the charts.
The title refers to a saying common in the American South and means to be at the end of your tether, although many people took it as a personal statement from Stipe. But while it may not have been an obvious hit - it has no chorus, for a start - the song鈥檚 overall message, a heartfelt plea for privacy at the height of the age of celebrity, clearly touched a nerve with the public, and it soon made the top ten in the US. The track鈥檚 video, which featured a rather strange dance from Stipe, was integral to its success and picked up nine nominations for the MTV Video Music Awards. At the ceremony the band walked away with six awards, including one for Best Video.
Michael Stipe talks about the meaning behind "Losing My Religion" |
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Michael Stipe on the meaning of the title: "I didn't want to call the song that because it would be听too controversial, but the band insisted on it . . ."
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Songwriting tips Fancy getting some pointers on writing great lyrics? Check out the guide. |
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Test your knowledgeHow many weeks did "Out of Time" remain at number 1 in the UK? Are you tough enough for the "Losing My Religion" quiz?TAKE THE CHALLENGE! |
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