Top 10 Songs by R.E.M.

(Pictured - R.E.M. 2016)

Established in the vibrant musical hub of Athens, Georgia, R.E.M. rose to become one of the most iconic alternative rock bands of all time, dominating North American college rock radio throughout the '80s and '90s. Their influence on countless alternative rock groups to follow is immeasurable, and while they began as an underground favorite, they achieved immense mainstream success in the '90s as alternative rock and mainstream rock began to converge. The band’s sound blended jangle-pop with elements of post-punk, folk, and the pleasantly offbeat weirdness of Athens. R.E.M. released some of the most critically acclaimed American alternative rock records of all time, including Automatic for the People, Document, and Murmur, along with a string of singles that found their way into the Top 40. Despite their mainstream achievements, R.E.M. never abandoned their roots and played a pivotal role in popularizing alternative rock. Selecting the band’s ten greatest songs was no easy feat, but the slightly obsessive, and perhaps unhealthy organizational tendencies of the team here at Melophobe spurred us to take a stab at ranking the Top 10 Songs by R.E.M.

10. So. Central Rain (Reckoning)

Alongside several songs in our top ten, So. Central Rain has become a fan favorite within R.E.M.’s catalog, despite barely entering the American pop charts. The opening guitar riff is quintessential college-rock jangle-pop—concise, catchy, and unforgettable. Michael Stipe's crisp yet slightly raspy voice in the chorus pairs beautifully with the upbeat nature of an otherwise somber song. The contrast of relatively dark lyrical themes with jangly guitars and upbeat drums is a hallmark of much of the band’s discography, and this track executes it effortlessly. So. Central Rain remains one of the most memorable tracks from the band’s early phase.

9. Radio Free Europe (Murmur)

Radio Free Europe, from the band’s debut album Murmur, was the first single ever released by R.E.M. This track, alongside the record as a whole, was crafted during a period when the band was still developing their sound and stands apart from their later work—primarily due to the recording and post-production process. Even so, Radio Free Europe contains all the elements that would define one of the most revered rock bands of the coming decades. Michael Stipe's voice sits beneath the instrumentation even more dramatically on Radio Free Europe than it does on the albums to follow, but when paired with Peter Buck's dynamic guitar strumming, the band absolutely nails it.

8. Orange Crush (Green)

By the late '80s, R.E.M. had developed a mature and refined sound that was entirely their own, marking the period when they truly began to turn heads. Released on their sixth studio album Green, Orange Crush topped the American alternative rock charts, blending the power-pop sensibilities of the '80s with the band’s pleasantly off-kilter style, resonating with listeners across the U.S., far beyond the college rock sphere. While many assume the title refers to the soda Orange Crush, it actually references Agent Orange, the chemical defoliant used during the Vietnam War by The US.

7. Bad Day (In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003)

About a decade after what many listeners consider R.E.M.'s early '90s creative peak, the band released one of their catchiest tracks, Bad Day. This upbeat rock song revisits their jangle-pop and college rock roots while delivering a direct, anti-paparazzi message about simply wanting to be left alone. Although this newer track is often forgotten or left out of discussions about their greatest songs, it holds its own against nearly any highly regarded song in their discography. Catchy, upbeat, and meaningful—what else would you expect from R.E.M.?

6. Driver 8 (Fables of the Reconstruction)

With its low-pitched, iconic guitar riff, Driver 8 stands out as one of the most memorable riff-driven tracks from R.E.M.’s early period, solidifying its place as a fan favorite. Once again, Michael Stipe evokes an unsettling feeling through his lyrical subject matter and delivery, perfectly complementing the band’s instrumentation. Driver 8 arguably features one of R.E.M.'s greatest guitar riffs, paired with an upbeat, jangly rhythm guitar line in the verses. Have we mentioned that Peter Buck is one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time? Well he is.

5. What's The Frequency Kenneth? (Monster)

Featuring one of Peter Buck's most iconic riffs, What’s the Frequency, Kenneth? stands out as a highlight from the band’s 1994 release, Monster. The song draws inspiration from the grunge scene dominating rock radio at the time, incorporating a harsher guitar sound while pushing Michael Stipe's vocals slightly behind the instrumentation, reminiscent of Radio Free Europe. While the group nods to the grunge rockers of the era, they don’t replicate the style. Instead, they create a uniquely R.E.M. track that stands firmly in a sound all their own. What’s the Frequency, Kenneth? remains one of the band’s most sonically powerful and memorable songs.

4. It's The End of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) (Document)

This frantic, fast-paced rock staple has become one of the most recognizable American rock songs of all time. The track places Michael Stipe's vocals front and center, showcasing his most impressive lyrical feat in both content and delivery. Nearly impossible to tackle at karaoke, it’s as memorable and catchy as they come. Stipe's rapid-fire, rant-fueled lyrics not only highlight his vocal skill but also his acute awareness of the world around him and his unique ability to convey a frenetic message. This isn’t exactly the song you want playing while you’re trying to unwind at the end of the day...

3. Losing My Religion (Out of Time)

Losing My Religion is the epitome of R.E.M.'s mainstream success, becoming their highest-charting single in the U.S. and released from their first American chart-topping album. Aside from the tune's commercial praise, we ranked it the second greatest alternative rock song of the ’90s. Losing My Religion is an interesting song title for a song that proves that a band can achieve the highest level of mainstream success while holding onto their roots. Nevertheless, the song’s subtle folk undertones, pushed forth by Buck’s mandolin playing, blend seamlessly with its post-punk core. It remains one of the best examples of a fantastic alternative rock track, celebrated by the masses while staying true to its identity.

2. Man On The Moon (Automatic For The People)

Released from R.E.M.'s most critically celebrated album, Automatic for the People, Man on the Moon has become one of the band’s most iconic songs. The track offers a pleasing back-and-forth between somber, mellow verses and a powerful, beautiful chorus. Michael Stipe's vocals compel listeners to look inward and reflect, as his cryptic and poetic lyrics leave a distinctive, lasting impact. Behind Stipe, the band delivers a rich, country-rock sound in what serves as R.E.M.'s musical tribute to Andy Kaufman. Man on the Moon has since become a staple of ’90s rock and stands as one of many era-defining tracks by R.E.M.

1. Nightswimming (Automatic For The People)

Taking the top spot as the greatest song by R.E.M. is Nightswimming, which also finds its home on Automatic for the People. Not only is Nightswimming R.E.M.'s most beautiful song, but it is arguably one of the most beautiful songs in all of alternative music. Composed of a stunning, symphonic assortment of instruments, Michael Stipe delivers a jaw-dropping vocal performance that feels more suited to a grand concert hall than a traditional rock venue. According to Peter Buck, Nightswimming is the only R.E.M. song where the lyrics were written before the instrumentation. It’s clear Stipe had a story he needed to tell, and he delivered it flawlessly. A genre-defying track, Nightswimming is among the most moving pieces ever released by a rock band.

Some honorable mentions that did not quite make the top ten are Shiny Happy People, The Great Beyond, Drive, Fall On Me and Superman. For a broader look at alternative rock, be sure to check out 100 Greatest Alternative Rock Songs of the 90s, or 100 Greatest Alternative Rock Albums of the 90s.