# The Definitive R.E.M. Fan's Greatest Tracks Collection **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 23, 2011, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286 "2011-09-23T02:07:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/1 "2011-09-23T02:07:10Z")
Inspired by the thread announcing their breakup. I know we’ve got tons of fans on the board. I’m less thinking “singles” and more thinking album cuts that have to be on a mixtape for the truest fan. I’ll start, from memory, starting with Chronic Town: Wolves, Lower (I have a few live versions that kick ass) Moral Kiosk Harbourcoat Camera Second Guessing Tighten Up (cover) Feeling Gravitys Pull Maps and Legends Auctioneer (Another Engine) Green Grow the Rushes Begin the Begin Hyena Disturbance in the Heron House Fireplace Exhuming McCarthy Romance Pop Song '89 Get Up The Wrong Child Texarkana Near Wild Heaven Try Not to Breathe Ignoreland I Took Your Name Bang and Blame Binky the Doormat At My Most Beautiful What are your faves? What are the tracks that should be left off any R.E.M. collection (Airportman)? Let’s hear it! ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/2 "2011-09-23T02:50:22Z")
I think you need more from Life’s Rich Pageant: These Days, I Believe, What if We Gave It Away? for starters. Actually, I continue to think that was their strongest album, so what the heck --throw the whole thing in (except that one song I don’t like --what was it again?) ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/3 "2011-09-23T02:57:31Z")
Here are the most essential tracks from 4 of their albums. - means it may be replaced to make room once I go through more albums. Reckoning is their best and needs these 4 (at least). Laughing Talk About the Passion Perfect Circle We Walk\* 7 Chinese Bros. So. Central Rain Camera (Don’t Go Back To) Rockville Losing My Religion Near Wild Heaven\* Country Feedback Everybody Hurts Ignoreland\* Man on the Moon Nightswimming ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/4 "2011-09-23T03:54:51Z")
> [@Sal\_Ammoniac](#): > > I think you need more from Life’s Rich Pageant: These Days, I Believe, What if We Gave It Away? for starters. Actually, I continue to think that was their strongest album, so what the heck --throw the whole thing in (except that one song I don’t like --what was it again?) Probably _Cuyahoga_ or _Just a Touch_, but it’s my favorite too. So don’t forget _Flowers of Guatemala_ and _Hyena_ and _Underneath the Bunker_ and _Superman_…yeah, just throw the whole thing in. ---
**Author:** ![3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/47e85d/32.png) [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3_20_59_or_bust)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/5 "2011-09-23T04:50:02Z")
“Crazy” from Dead Letters “New Test Leper” and “E-bow the Letter” from New Adventures ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/6 "2011-09-23T05:11:50Z")
> [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](#): > > “Crazy” from Dead Letters > > “New Test Leper” and “E-bow the Letter” from New Adventures Oh, wow! I forgot Dead Letter Office. Yes, “Crazy” is a great choice. Also “Bandwagon” and “Ages of You.” I have grown to like Lifes Rich Pageant but it wasn’t a favorite for a long time. I blame the Don Gehman production. It reminds me a little too much of John Mellencamp but over the years I have grown to appreciate it. On the other hand I hear people complain about how dark Fables is but I liked that album right away. Good selections from New Adventures, btw. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/7 "2011-09-23T05:46:58Z")
I could just play their 3rd, 4th and 5th albums (Fables, Pageant, Document) in rotation and be perfectly satisfied. Not every track is sublime but they just work together. I love tracks on Green, Time and Automatic but they don’t work together as albums like those3 do. The first two also work together brilliantly, but their affecting naivety doesn’t quite overcome their innate lack of sophistication. ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/8 "2011-09-23T06:50:46Z")
Took out Camera and Everybody Hurts, and I’m stealing Crazy. **Chronic Town** Wolves, Lower **Murmur** Laughing Talk About the Passion Perfect Circle **Reckoning** Harborcoat 7 Chinese Bros. So. Central Rain (Don’t Go Back To) Rockville **Fables** Maps and Legends Driver 8 **LRP** These Days Fall On Me I Believe Swan Swan H **Dead Letter** Crazy **Document** It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) Lightnin’ Hopkins **Green** Get Up World Leader Pretend Orange Crush **Out of Time** Losing My Religion Country Feedback **Automatic** Drive Man on the Moon Nightswimming Find the River **Monster** What’s the Frequency, Kenneth? Strange Currencies **New Adventures** E-Bow the Letter Leave Electrolite ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/9 "2011-09-23T07:08:36Z")
\*\*Collapse Into Now \*\* Uberlin Walk It Back Me, Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando and I ---
**Author:** ![George\_Kaplin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3e96dc/32.png) [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/10 "2011-09-23T07:22:28Z")
**Chronic Town** Wolves Lower **Murmur** Radio Free Europe Perfect Circle **Reckoning** Camera Don’t Go Back To Rockville **Fables** Feeling Gravity’s Pull Maps and Legends Wendell Gee **Lifes Rich Pageant** Begin The Begin These Days Fall On Me I Believe **Document** Finest Worksong End Of The World As We Know It Oddfellows Local 151 **Green** You Are The Everything Orange Crush Turn You Inside Out **Out Of Time** Losing My Religion Country Feedback **Automatic** Jesus…the whole damn album. But if I _have_ to choose a few, I’d go for Try Not To Breathe, Everybody Hurts, and Sweetness Follows _(my all time favourite REM)_ **Monster** Crush With Eyeliner Strange Currencies Let Me In **New Adventures** New Test Leper E-Bow The Letter Leave Be Mine Electrolite **Up** I simply _cannot_ understand the hate for this album. As far as I’m concerned, everything from track 4 onwards is amazing, and the album as a whole is a (slightly flawed) masterpiece. Anyway, my favourite tracks are: At My Most Beautiful Why Not Smile Daysleeper **Reveal** I’ve Been High Disappear **Around The Sun** ☹ **Accelerate** Living Well Is The Best Revenge Houston **Collapse Into Now** Oh My Heart ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/11 "2011-09-23T07:35:41Z")
I wish we could edit posts, because I already regret taking out Camera and Everybody Hurts. They should both still be there. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/12 "2011-09-23T07:45:53Z")
> [@George\_Kaplin](#): > > **Around The Sun** > ☹ Leaving New York and Electron Blue are decent but ☹ for the rest of it, other than those two Aftermath is the only song I can listen to. ---
**Author:** ![George\_Kaplin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3e96dc/32.png) [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/13 "2011-09-23T09:38:43Z")
Ack! I can’t believe I forgot The Great Beyond! ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/14 "2011-09-23T12:26:59Z")
“Just a Touch” – that’s the song I don’t like (the only song I don’t like) from LRP. Everything else is a keeper. On AFP, I’m afraid I have to disagree about Nightswimming. That’s the one song on the album I really don’t like. Anybody else like Drive from that album? I think that’s my favorite. I have to confess that everything beyond AFP is terra incognita for me. I’m relying on people here to give me good recommendations. So choose wisely! ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/15 "2011-09-23T14:24:14Z")
Just a general vote for [Pilgrimage](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeI06K77Sg8) > [@](#): > > Your hate - clipped and distance; your luck - two-headed calf You just gotta love that. And then that wonderful chorus - so uplifting, but in a soft way - it makes no sense but invokes a big, spiritual word like Pilgrimage…and then you move into the middle 8… The whole thing just works, but you can’t put your finger on exactly why. That alchemy because the central formula to good indie rock - Kurt Cobain’s songwriting style certainly echoes it. A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito - palomino? And yet it works… ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/16 "2011-09-23T14:31:29Z")
Here’s a 20-song imaginary mix CD based on a quick look at iTunes. (I guess I don’t like _Green_.) I tuned out after _Monster_, but might obtain a few more recent songs if there’s enough enthusiasm expressed here. I am indeed an old crank. I remember hearing Chronic Town and an interview with them on a NY college radio station like it was yesterday (and it was in fact 30 years ago). Carnival of Sorts Wolves, Lower Radio Free Europe Sitting Still We Walk Harbourcoat So. Central Rain Seven Chinese Bros. Bandwagon Feeling Gravitys Pull Green Grow the Rushes Old Man Kensey Cuyahoga What If We Give It Away Finest Worksong Exhuming McCarthy Me In Honey You Are the Everything Find the River What’s the Frequency, Kenneth ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/17 "2011-09-23T15:24:30Z")
Driver 8 Fall on Me (Don’t Go Back to) Rockville Near Wild Heaven Bandwagon World Leader Pretend Orange Crush Welcome to the Occupation Man on the Moon Texarkana Walk Unafraid Imitation of Life (maybe my all time favorite) ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/18 "2011-09-23T15:29:13Z")
I’d include \*\*Star 69 \*\*off of Monster. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/19 "2011-09-23T17:16:12Z")
Skipping _Chronic Town_, this is a chronological list of songs I really like but are lesser known. Murmur - _Moral Kiosk_ Reckoning - _Little America_ Fables - _Wendell Gee_ Pageant - _What If We Give It Away_ Dead Letter - _Toys In The Attic_ - I like it better than the original. Document - _Fireplace_ Green - _Turn You Inside Out_ - A single, not my favorite album either Out Of Time - _Country Feedback_ - Jeez, 20 years ago. Maybe my all-time favorite live track. Automatic - _Star Me Kitten_ Monster - _Circus Envy_ New Adventures - _Binky The Doormat_ Up - _Walk Unafraid_ Reveal - _I’ll Take The Rain_ Around The Sun - _Electron Blue_ Accelerate - _Living Well Is The Best Revenge_ I haven’t listened to Collapse Into Now yet. This is a band that made at least 50 truly great songs, mostly in the 80’s and 90’s. I’m glad they’re walking away and that they’ve left such a rich catalog behind. ---
**Author:** ![kuchi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7993a0/32.png) [@kuchi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kuchi)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2011, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286/20 "2011-10-01T03:23:34Z")
Whenever I am really feeling lost or confused I go for ‘Fables’. There is just something so real in that album that it can take me out of my world for a short time. I really like a lot of their work but that one album made me a true fan for life. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-r-e-m-fans-greatest-tracks-collection/597286.md?page=2)