The comet arrived: R.E.M. reunited at Songwriters Hall of Fame

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As a gamer who grew up in the ’90s, I can’t help but feel a surge of nostalgia when iconic bands like R.E.M. reunite. Their comeback at the Songwriters Hall of Fame felt like an epic boss battle finally being defeated, and “Losing My Religion” was the perfect power-up song to get me through it.

In case you missed it: Legendary rock band R.E.M. made a surprising comeback, reuniting at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York City on June 13. Contrary to what Mike Mills of the band told CBS Mornings, that a comet would be needed for R.E.M. to get back together, it seems that the ‘comet’ has indeed appeared, and so has R.E.M.

As someone who grew up in the ’90s and was deeply moved by R.E.M.’s music, I was thrilled to witness the reunion of all four original members at a recent event. Seeing Michael Stipe, Bill Berry, Peter Buck, and Mike Mills walk the red carpet together brought back memories of my youth when their songs were an essential part of my life soundtrack. Their performance of “Losing My Religion,” a song that has stood the test of time, was truly magical. It’s not every day that one gets to witness such a rare event in music history, and I feel grateful for having lived through the era when R.E.M. was at its peak.

At the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel, the renowned band that significantly influenced alternative rock, shared the stage with music greats like Timbaland, Hillary Lindsey, Dean Pitchford, Steely Dan, and Cindy Walker. This event was significant because it marked R.E.M.’s first public performance together since 2007. In that same year, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Despite performing privately in 2016, it was more than two decades ago since all four members last graced a major stage together, as Berry departed the group in 1997 due to health concerns. As Bono from U2 put it, “Being in a band can be complicated…”

Songwriting as R.E.M.’s primary focus

Even though Berry left us, we persisted in creating music and performing live, wrapping up with a final show in 2008 before officially calling it quits in 2011. On the red carpet, Stipe expressed his pride upon being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, stating during the ceremony: “We are four individuals who decided early on that we’d own our own masters and divide our royalties and songwriting credits equally. We were in this together, and we stood by each other.”

Stipe emphasizes that it’s phenomenal for the band members to be recognized as songwriters and musicians. Notably, the band has a remarkable collection of popular songs, and among these, “Losing My Religion” is one of their greatest achievements in the music industry.

In the realm of ’90s gaming, a tune that soared to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 became an anthem, pumping life into my game sessions. This iconic track was often played on repeat in MTV’s rotations, and its music video was revolutionary, pushing boundaries. The song brought R.E.M. two Grammy Awards, with additional nominations for Record of the Year and Album of the Year for their masterpiece, Out of Time.

Mills concurred with Stipe’s thoughts on the impact of their music, expressing that “When a song is well-written, it resonates emotionally with people. Music tends to stick with you throughout your life. So, if a song touched you at age 15, chances are it will still move you when you’re 40.” This unique ability to captivate audiences of various ages has cemented R.E.M.’s significance in rock music history.

R.E.M.’s other hits

Apart from their iconic song “Losing My Religion,” R.E.M. has produced a multitude of other chart-toppers that continue to influence the music scene significantly, such as “Everybody Hurts,” “Man on the Moon,” and “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”. During their induction, Jason Isbell paid tribute by performing a rendition of “It’s the End of the World as We Know It” – here is the original version.

At the ceremony, Stipe emphasized the immense value of their collection of music as they reminisced about their career. Having a body of work with songs they can all be proud of, which future generations will appreciate, is undeniably crucial to their band. Moreover, he pointed out the lasting camaraderie among the band members, mentioning that what makes it even more special is that they’ve managed to stay friends for so long, not just friends, but lifelong friends.

As a hardcore gamer diving into the world of tunes, there’s no denying that R.E.M. were pioneers who shook up the alternative rock scene like no other. Their recent reunion at the Songwriters Hall of Fame was a stark reminder of the massive impact they left on music – it’s still resonating loudly in my earbuds!

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2024-08-06 23:01