R.E.M. - „We Broke Up Wth The Right Time…“

“… and for the right reason.”
Most rock bands of the past are dreaming of a reunion - of a comeback.
No dream at all for R.E.M. from Athens, Georgia, USA!
Michael Stipe and Mike Mills in a very special heart-to-heart interview in London last Sunday.
(Courtesy of BBC One - the Marr show with Andrew Marr)

[@draytonblackgrove]

Unlike many interviewers, this guy is actually competent and asks questions that he obviously has researched on his own. We need more journalists like this.

[@7thheathen]

And he doesn’t interrupt

[@palacerevolution2000]

You took my post. I came to write this, and saw your post. ✌

[@nicokarsen6131]

real journalists don't interview old pop stars

[@larrydanadavid2435]

@@nicokarsen6131Nice people don’t make nasty ageist comments.

[@tigerflicks5958]

Andrew Marr - a top Now ex BBC journalist. Having said that he said that “America turned their back on them” when they elected Trump. That’s laziness. America didn’t turn their back on them. Hilary won the popular vote just not the states. And even if she lost the popular vote by the same margin that she won it, that still meant close to half the US population being in the same camp. Hardly all of America turning whist them as Marr’s statement implies.

[@Cornerboy73]

Looking back, I think their music has stood up well over the years. There is certainly no shame in walking away when you recognize it's time; I think it demonstrates a personal degree of integrity for your band and fans. Nothing is forever but they left their mark with some great music; what more can you ask for when it's all said and done?

[@geemonster9179]

Exactly

[@chriscoughlan5221]

In Feb 1982 on a very cold night I was coerced into going to see an unknown band at the time, called REM. They were playing above a strip club near the Birmingham bus station (UK) they could only play stuff from the 1st album, I was instantly impressed by them, MS was wearing a baggy grey suit and long curly hair!! There was only 200 people there ti see this incredible gig!!

[@karmicselling4252]

Bill, Peter, Mike and Michael have left the world a much better place than they found it. We should all be so lucky!

[@MrInitialMan]

Broke up at the right time indeed. It's nice to see that they had the wisdom to call it a day while a) people still wanted more rather than wishing they'd go away and b) they could still stand each other.

[@chrissmithers6660]

I love "old REM" but I still believe "Shiny Happy People' is an awesome song. XOXO 1973

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Stay thirsty my friends plus or minus a package of cough drops.

[@laurencesiegel9362]

I also think it was about Tiananmen Square, no matter what they say. They are probably just trying to avoid getting involved in Chinese politics.

[@bricaaron3978]

@@laurencesiegel9362 How in the world could you possibly come to that conclusion, based upon the song itself?

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

​@@laurencesiegel9362it was about Tiananmen Square. In fact, the song was named after a slogan being used in a Chinese political campaign at the time; Shiny Happy People holding hands.

[@pam7022]

Kate made the song !

[@TwentyOne_Five]

They were so done creatively. Right move. Great band.

[@damiancollins475]

Loved and adored forever...

[@jean-yvesmartin6934]

:" Find the river/; is truly a beautiful song

[@Blake_.Dryden]

Losing My Religion set me down an amazing musical path at a very young age. I regret nothing

[@michaelsix9684]

still miss them a lot, wish them well

[@MrAcespaders]

Will never forget REM with Nelson Mandela in Trafalgar Square. It was historic. Thank you REM for consistently making music for thinking people.

[@westerling8436]

A wet blanket

[@lefkytheshin]

Mandela...pfft. Despicable terrorist.

[@syberspud]

Life’s rich pageant. What an album.

[@lefkytheshin]

Now you're talking. Great era.

[@bradgolden8914]

Word

[@michaelsix9684]

go that in vinyl and another one, so glad I kept them

[@semipenguin]

Fall On Me is one of my favorite REM songs.

[@blueodum]

I've been an R.E.M fan since about 1988. Few musicians can match the diversity of music styles that seemed to flow effortlessly from them. Hard to pick a favourite song, but for lyrics, it is "World Leader Pretend"

[@bricaaron3978]

That's always been my favorite song on Green.

[@jonboy4601]

Never really got into r.e.m. in the past but now im a bit older i find myself very much liking and appreciating the quality of their work...some great songs that i overlooked

[@changeyourshoes123]

michael stipe just blows my mind. i still look at REM's videos with the same wonderment and awe i felt the first time. even now i can cry thinking about how much their lyrics live in my head, still at 61. watching michael stipe dancing is one of the great joys of life on earth.

[@chelseavuchinich4859]

He was so cute back then....

[@kshaddoz4590]

@@chelseavuchinich4859 ha, 11 year old comment ftw.

[@ofeliamartinez4567]

Exacto 🎉

[@mantoniol24]

The song half a world a way saved my life. thank you R.E.M

[@sherrytaylor7166]

Im 64 yrs old and love R E M

[@jayme3181]

You don't look a day over 30.

[@matthewdolan5831]

Great contribution from these guys...

[@mauricioteacher3157]

30 years of this amazing album

[@MaikKellerhals]

Thank you for letting them talk.

[@mimoochodom2684]

A band that did so much with so little. Honest, heart felt songwriting and a voice with a nuance to die for. R.E.M I salute you. And because of you, I have not lost my religion.💪

[@paulanthonybridge5741]

Looks like stipe has lost more than religion. Does he smell as bad as he looks here ??? Live in a sewer ???

[@mimoochodom2684]

@@paulanthonybridge5741 Ha ha. He's earned the right to look, be whatever.

[@thomasreed49]

Although achieved so much they are. so humble. Over here in Britain we have the likes of Paul McCartney who is so arrogant

[@jari56ify]

They both seem like such well thought out individuals. Ive loved their music since I was a kid, and the way they make politics not seem about left or right, but about right and wrong is so refreshing. Love this band.

[@chuckdriver7741]

jari56ify - I agree. The Right is right, and the Left is wrong. 🇺🇸🗽🦅

[@dougsworld7533]

That is why I think a lot of us avoid the subject .. because if we are not right we are left .. if we are not communist we are capitalist ... etc etc. It feels like beating your head against a wall for weeks .. months .. years on end. Only to repeat itself.

[@sdc6447]

Well thought out comment. Even though I suspect they lean to the left, that's ok. Most free thinkers and people who care for others on more than a political level do lean left. I'm sad I never got to see them live and I think my appreciation for them was always big, I think it grew after they disbanded. One of my top 5 US bands of all time, along with Pearl Jam. The Pixies. The Replacements. Soul Asylum. Wilco. Gin Blossoms

[@Ac22768]

Lol.

[@scottw.3258]

@@sdc6447 As far as me, personally. I'm certainly a free thinker and being honest, i don't care if i stand alone in my beliefs. One thing i'm very passionate about is the homeless situation here in the UK. I find it disgraceful that regardless of what political party is in power, nothing is ever done to help these people. I have to qualify that by saying i'm talking about UK nationals, rather than immigrants who choose to travel through 10 or 11 safe nations in order to get here (for whatever reason). As far as i'm concerned those people should be sent packing. As you have no doubt figured, i am very much right leaning, but it's my intention to tackle the homeless issue first in Scotland, and then the rest of the UK. Every UK citizen deserves a roof over their head before any immigrant gets one.

[@DIDCOTTWIST]

Leaving New York is one of my favourites

[@kevanbrown7620]

REM wrote a lot of great tracks. I believe the Automatic For The People album is a genuine classic. It's just an incredible album that just flows and is definitely 1 of my favourite albums.

[@doscojones6404]

That's my favourite of theirs.

[@Knapper58]

I agree....great album....standout tracks for me are...Ignore land and Nightswimming

[@sexobscura]

Find The River should stand as a Classic -- or else a Standard

[@lancearp7389]

One of the top 5 albums of the 90s.

[@jackjude]

"‘Murmur’ is the sound of a band that began life as one of the best in the world. It just took the world a decade to catch up."

[@robertprice9052]

I have been a fan since I saw them on Letterman. I’ve never believed in their politics, but I understand it. From a retired Army vet, conservative non-musician school administrator I say R.E.M. is one of the greatest bands ever.

[@user-do2ev2hr7h]

That's the thing I think a lot of people don't get about the intersection of politics and music. If you want deeply personal songwriting, it has to reflect who the people writing the music are. Otherwise the music can only be somewhat generic.

[@Mncrr]

Liked most of their music. I’m sure I agree with very little of their politics. I’d like not to know their politics as it affects my level of enjoyment. I like shut up and sing

[@leobigelow7021]

@@Mncrr Yeah, me too.

[@ChrisConnolly-Mr.C-Dives-In]

The great elements of music and music appreciation to enjoy the songs in a separate part of our selves that are not bound by politics.

[@johnw3952]

They had a run making good music, but their politics are VERY immature, like most of the entertainment elite, they don't have a clue about the struggles of the working man. They are typical leftist elitists that happen to have been uber talented musically.

[@CK-dd7eq]

Would love to see these guys one more time 🇮🇪

[@michaelmacdonald7702]

REM's music made me a better person

[@WeggieQueen2005]

I miss the loud and clear messages of the past. I feel so lost in this world now that I'm older.

[@johngoldsworthy7135]

The world is a lot more complex. It’s how things are

[@davidaltemir1564]

Totally impressed by these guys. Class acts with an amazing repertoire. What a contribution they've made.

[@nekomann]

This band. The way they'd conducted and curated their catalogue. They were always within reason; they were always on point. They were clear in their mission statements and always delivered. I miss them so much but the way they've splintered off has also been such a joy to watch. Peter never wanted to sing but he finally did. Bill went off to live and comes back occasionally to enjoy the memories, Mike continues to show up and support great bands and Michael is doing the same thing as well with art and music. These four dudes have showed up kind of exactly the way we wanted them to and have done it in a way that has brought so much joy to their fans. It's an absolute joy to know they're all still doing what they've wanted to do and what we've hoped they'd do. If they can't be together, we still get pieces, and those pieces are priceless. I love every piece I get, personally.

[@msg36093]

Stipe is amazing.

[@michaeldavis2585]

One great artist and band real down to earth group

[@bondalero0074]

Holy Crap! R.E.M. were Pioneer’s of a cool band & I remember as a kid they dropped “It’s the End of the World as we Know it!” On a MTV video the kid in an abandoned house had a Vision “Jinx” Skateboard in the early 80’s on MTV. I still am a skateboarder/collector at 50 now. I hated “Shiny Happy People” too, WTF? My Favorite of their songs was “Whats Your Frequency , Kenneth?” was the best! That guitar sound killed on that song! I still blast it today when I hear it on sat radio or otherwise. We were worlds apart in our politics and lifestyles which made me drop them like a rock, sadly! JUST simply Play “OUR” / “YOUR” music and “keep your ideas to yourself” in music! (You can still have your own lifestyle and political belief’s just keep them to one’s self), So it doesn’t mess with business, fans, money, & income. Same problem in Hollywood now! Our is World is so split on left/right we will NEVER meet in the middle ; same reason our For father’s had the Mason Dixon Line across the U.S.! There were reason’s for All these things they set in place and “WE” messed it up! Just one’s opinion.#DirtyWhiteBoy#DirtySouth#R.E.M.#memories

[@maxineneild7352]

God I miss REM 😢💙💙💙

[@randilevson9547]

R.E.M. was a brilliant band in so many ways. Musicianship, songwriting, great videos, and just their vibe, of making people think. Automatic For The People is my favourite album of theirs. So many soulful, heartbreaking songs. They also knew when to leave the party, before the music dwindled.

[@mauriceortiz8817]

Yeah, they were brilliant

[@LoneLee2022]

@@mauriceortiz8817 I could listen to their music all day.

[@VinciGlassArt]

Yeah. I was a college Freshman when Out of Time broke and then a Junior when Automatic for the People. These largely framed the times for me. I can't even describe how meaningful both of these albums are because of it.

[@chelseavuchinich4859]

Murmur is so good...

[@mauriceortiz8817]

@@chelseavuchinich4859 as long as it is not a heart one.

[@AndrewsOpinion15]

happy 57th birthday michael stipe !!!

[@love.one.another]

wonderful music.

[@DanielMartinez-fi5hl]

REM was always a band that i liked, but certainly not one of my personal favorites. Having said that, I feel a tremendous respect for them, for having parted ways in the way they did, in an adult and peaceful manner

[@lyndonbushnell8080]

Shiny happy people was excellent thank you! Kate made it more than just a song.

[@mstob1969]

I agree. I agree with Stipe in that if one REM song was sent to outer space you'd certainly not want that one to be it, but that doesn't make it any less of a great song, for what it is.

[@mc76]

The year is 1982, in a tiny, converted gay bar in Indianapolis, seating about 150 people. Opening act: Replacements (still the loudest set I have ever heard). Sitting in the back of the bar, I am aware of the presence of a guy next to me. I turn and say, "Loud as fuck, huh?" He replies, "Yeah, isn't it great?" We shout introductions over Westerberg, intros that are easy because we both have the same first name. We talk for 10 minutes or so. The Mats end their set, and my companion turns and says, "Welp, time to go to work."

[@boxingandbulldogs6341]

Who was it??

[@badhabits25]

@@boxingandbulldogs6341 the janitor

[@al1665]

@@boxingandbulldogs6341 a male escort

[@mc76]

@@boxingandbulldogs6341 Sorry, the original comment featured my first name. It was Stipe.

[@SW-fn7cl]

I never knew the replacements and REM played at the same gig that'd absolutely amazing 👏

[@christopheroliveriii3985]

One thing I have learned is that "Automatic for the people" is a timeless piece of artwork! I listened to it hard in the 90's and listen to it hard now 2021. I would be a fool to throw out their music just because we may not fully agree on politics! Thank you R.E.M. for your hard work and pouring out all you were into your music, it has been food for my soul.

[@JohnDoe-sx2zk]

their politics is ass but I really like nightswimming and everybody hurts

[@modernchampionmusic81]

Automatic was a dreary rehash of everything they had done so well for 8 albums up until that point

[@jasonpeters9716]

It's their best album

[@jasonpeters9716]

@@modernchampionmusic81 Yeah ok... How r old u? Guessing u went High School in 80s?

[@jasonpeters9716]

@@modernchampionmusic81 80s REM was great. But? Early-mid 1990s REM 3 albums was their best

[@leet47]

I feel old now. Dammit.

[@sim7409]

they were so freakin talented

[@clydeallen738]

I just listened to the Chronic Town EP what a phenomenal start to a great band

[@lefkytheshin]

Fantastic EP. Wolves, Lower is still in my top 5.

[@clasencoach]

Utterly sympathetic human beings who seem to have no primadonna attitude whatsoever. I had the privilege to experience R.E.M. live once - it remains one of the Top 5 gigs I have ever witnessed. The sheer joy of being on stage that they radiated was simply mesmerising. It made me turn from ‘just liking them’ to be a fan.

[@tk80mufa5]

Michael Stipe is a literal primadonna

[@jameswiglesworth5004]

Great band, with brilliant albums, although the last couple showed signs that maybe they were past their peak, caught them twice live as well and they were terrific

[@guitarlover302]

Some very intelligent and articulate people - decent guys and brilliant musicians❤

[@bradgolden8914]

I remember watching “Fall On Me,” on MTV. I was so taken by their sound.

[@khaaleliilighntingcoronado9009]

If R.E.M send a song to space to remember R.E.M. it better be man on the moon.

[@Sleepgarden]

it should be "end of the world" and aliens can go "oh the earth ended and they were okay with it!"

[@optic186]

They are hypocrite liers

[@JoeyDNo3]

But can you believe they put a mam on the moon 🍻

[@lefkytheshin]

Please. No.

[@susanvannorden6845]

Loved their music, all of it😊

[@GeoffBurt08]

A brilliant group of musicians which recognized its natural lifecycle, which makes their work all the more luminescent and ultimately, timeless.

[@ritch8088]

as a 12 year old listening to 'Automatic for the People' back in the 90's, I didn't give a shit about Politics, still don't care. I just know I love their music and songs like 'Nightswimming' are timeless classics.

[@changeyourshoes123]

nightswimming makes my heart ache at its depths. beautiful. You, I thought I knew you You I cannot judge You, I thought you knew me This one laughing quietly underneath my breath....nightswimming. I would want it played at my funeral.

[@SW-fn7cl]

Most of aftp isn't political. I think only Ignoreland is.

[@gritsngranola]

I agree Michael: totally did it the right way. Mission accomplished!

[@roybarnes-thewildlifeman1855]

Wow! These two really impressed me. Brilliant!

[@sbouchard69]

Great interview! Thanks for sharing!

[@paulbrown7374]

They were truly outstanding.. But I've never seen them live.. I've only a couple of albums but they were everywhere... A 'Monster' band and hopefully they'll reunite...

[@markl5893]

If only more discussions and debates could be conducted with this balanced, quiet, thoughtful approach we could advance from where we are now

[@josefinebliss2801]

That was a great interview. Good questions and the interviewer didn't interrupt them. Nice!

[@TheFlenen]

Country feedback is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard in my life and I've heard a LOT of music

[@skygazer6898]

A great interview!

[@helenavaneden1684]

WÓWWWW... ÁWESOME....THÁNK YOU for sharing....!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Bamboule05]

I miss REM, though. I just listened to Murmur and got nostalgic about my youth, and how wonderful it was to have REM with me through all my adventures. Remember the feeling when you first heard " this one goes out to the one I love"?

[@majkzappa8716]

I love you guys ❤️ incredible, unbelieable, unique, seen you for about 5 times And want more 🙏🔥🥰

[@Alan-gi2ku]

Mike Mills was way more than just a Bassist.

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

True, he can also sing and play keyboards.

[@surfshack2]

The one song they did that really made an impression on me was "Fall on Me'. Very inspiring and i remember that time and where i was in my life and when i heard that song I was like "yeah that's how i feel."

[@changeyourshoes123]

Fall on Me was played in this weight lifting class I took, every week in the late 80s. I never heard of then before and it gripped me forever! It took a long time to actually see the lyrics and I love to sing with them in my car, now getting all the words right.

[@007ndc]

My favorite REM song and the favorite of Michael Stipe's as well

[@pacofernandez4591]

Hats off!

[@FoobsTon]

I respect them for realising it was over. U2 please take note!

[@steveshattah]

I don't remember how but I got a copy of out of time a couple of days before it came out and listening to it with a couple of friends and neighbors was really a one-of-a-kind listening experience because it was so unique. I didn't personally like every song on there but it was a really good album.

[@funnysods]

You found a way to break my heart.

[@fatbelly27]

Shiny Happy People was a great song because of Kate Pierson's vocals

[@littlesilver2205]

After all this time and know one told there drummer ,hey shave your dam 1 eyebrow already. you look like UNABROW from Austin powers lol.

[@chrislloyd5415]

The sexiest woman of all time? Just putting it out there!

[@fatbelly27]

@@chrislloyd5415 Not going to disagree. Cindy's on my list too.

[@LoneLee2022]

Me In Honey is their best song cause of Kate Pierson's vocals.

[@ronsworld250]

Yes, I have always been a fan of Kate Pierson and her voice is amazing. I, too could never understand all the hate towards the song, even from the band. Or as Michael said in this interview, hate is a strong word. Let’s say, dislike from the band members and many in the public. I think it is a very good song definitely aided by Kate’s amazing voice.

[@edwardaydon5708]

Great stuff !

[@chrismacca6302]

Such a huge part of my life

[@robertsteinberger5667]

Good to see them so happily seperated

[@deanevangelista6359]

My favorite REM song is “Don’t Go Back to Rockville,” which happens to be where I reside.

[@speakertreatz]

they give Rockville a bad name..a place to 'waste another year'. I'm sure it's a lovely place but when I was 19 I wondered why they picked it

[@josefinebliss2801]

@@speakertreatz It's about Mike Mills ex girlfriend. Guess she lived in Rockville

[@speakertreatz]

ah I see, thanks @@josefinebliss2801

[@snakemanpete55]

What a great beard. ..mine was almost on par with that until last night. .I chopped most of it off and kept a small goatee. ..REM one of the best ever bands to create music. .miss them a lot. .Michael is a great front man with a wonderful voice

[@skygazer6898]

Michael is so filthy rich he probably had that beard made for him

[@EkonRekon]

I liked this interview more than I thought I would. The last part.. about not being censored.. that was epic! I wonder if Mike sees the horror of the hypocrisy that his party is thugging it's way forward with?

[@EkonRekon]

@Wes & TKP 66-02 I didn't either! The only thing dumber than a Trump supporter, is a lefty. I guess he gets a tiny boost up the IQ chart

[@I-Love-Taylor-Swift]

Love REM. Have done for years.

[@alexmolano2279]

I would love to see them live again...Hope one day it happens....for now...Genesis Dec 5th ....MSG...NYC..

[@jeffclark7888]

Metal in his nose. Splendid.

[@Bradgilliswhammyman]

Automatic for the people, their most important and best album imo. However Losing my religion was amazing and deserves its place in the best songs of the 20th century.

[@jari56ify]

Out of time and Monster for me, hands down.

[@galetinm]

IRS years were the best. Murmur, Reckoning, Life's Rich Pageant, Document.

[@007ndc]

In no particular order: Murmur, Out of Time, Reckoning, Life's Rich Pageant and Automatic for the People

[@wankertanker1813]

Bunch a nice guys that made nice music 🎶🎵

[@brodygaston6053]

Because it's a great song, I'm glad Stipe thought the expression "losing my religion" was common enough to work as a song title. But I grew up around old people in the American south near his home state of Georgia, and I've never heard it once.

[@josea.mellado4675]

Me encanta el vídeo 😍

[@newparadigm907]

Was a huge REM fan and happy to see they retired with class, the guys from Queen, INXS and so on could take a leaf out of their book...

[@lefkytheshin]

A leaf? I think you mean a page.

[@newparadigm907]

No I mean leaf, it’s a English saying, look it up and it’s meaning

[@SeatonBrownFineArt]

So glad to hear they hated Shiny Happy People - that song (and most of that album) broke my faith w REM.

[@donnamattingly5857]

Political disagreement aside, I love the music, poetry, emotion. Humanity, Humanities, and Art rise above political and philosophical differences.

[@kimmy9737]

I love these two plus Peter.... them 3 men are R.E.M

[@mz6504]

Out of time is still my favorite…..an amazing album….

[@agomodern]

Shiny Happy People is a awesome song.

[@JohnDoe-sx2zk]

its the worst song they wrote

[@mstob1969]

@@JohnDoe-sx2zk I'm going to guess you didn't listen to some of their later stuff.

[@JohnDoe-sx2zk]

@@mstob1969 nope. figured it was crap

[@arneboveng3756]

@@JohnDoe-sx2zk bullshit it sounds great. Probably the punchiest mix too

[@lefkytheshin]

​@@arneboveng3756pfft. Nope.

[@soloharmonicsrobj8246]

For me losing ones religion can mean having little faith in establishment verses more faith in personal spirituality. I perform this song at karaoke when ever I can. One of my favorites of REM.

[@johnw3952]

It's strange, because years ago, I heard that it was about the old southern idiom, "I'm losing my religion," which means losing my temper. I'm sure those lyrics take on different meaning to different people.

[@matts6895]

I just timewarped. I'm 14 years old again. My first rem tape was eponymous. ... I'll be somewhere in time with Christopher Reeves looking for that beautiful woman in the hotel...

[@beandipcartography]

Their importance will always be important.

[@aaronst.pierre3080]

The change in the air in 91 was everything getting worse. But the music was never better.

[@petervad]

Not a fan of their music much but a huge fan of them as people and their politics, and how they kept their integrity while forging their music career; they did it the hard way and were not swayed by those who offered fame and fortune in exchange for their principles.

[@averykristian]

same but i love love love michael stipes voice

[@jasonkeith9317]

I'm the opposite I love their music but I dislike their politics.

[@Andrew-bj6ym]

My 5 year old loves Shiny Happy People!

[@welshcaesar]

Americas greatest band.

[@guyhillTophat]

I was captivated by Fables Of The Reconstruction

[@mz6504]

Come on guys….!!!! just one more time…..automatic……for the people…….🤞

[@GuaranteedEtern]

I think a lot of bands hang around way past their best-before date... REM arguably did too but their last 2 records were a bit of a resurgence, and it's good to see them bow out on a high note leaving the audience wanting more rather than being a shadow of themselves.

[@gwynwellliver4489]

I do love the last one as much as some of the earlier ones. Regret not ever seeing them live.

[@josefinebliss2801]

I wish they were still around but I agree, unfortunately many bands stay together way too long. I've followed too many bands losing their greatness and creativity either trying to replicate their early discography but without the passion it had then, or trying to do something completely new and it just falls flat... But it would be great if bands stayed together but only did touring, performing their old songs lol.