"Pop Song 89" by R.E.M.

Song#:  3928

Date:  06/10/1989

Debut:  93

Peak:  86

Weeks:  4

Genre:  Alternative Rock

Pop Bits:  "Stand" was the second single from R.E.M.'s sixth album Green and it would go on to become the band's second Pop Top 10 peaking at #6 (#1 Rock/#1 Modern Rock). A follow-up was certainly necessary and this next track was selected for release. It faltered a bit on the charts topping out at #14 Rock and #16 Modern Rock while only spending a few weeks near the bottom of the Pop chart. By this point in time, the album had already peaked at #12 and gone platinum. Thanks to the band's continued popularity, the LP would continue to sell and in '94 it would hit the double platinum mark.

ReduxReview:  This album opening track was prime for alt rock airplay, but when compared to the pop-leaning "Stand" it just wasn't as catchy or memorable. Therefore, it was going to have a tough time at pop radio and it certainly did. However, it hardly mattered. R.E.M. were not really in the business of recording albums full of potential hits so the fact that they were able to score one Top 10 hit and expand their audience further was a big win. It helped set them up for even bigger success with their next album.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Following Green, R.E.M. would reach their peak period with three 4x platinum albums in a row. Their 1991 LP Out of Time would spawn their biggest Pop chart hit with the #4 "Losing My Religion." That song would be nominated for Record and Song of the Year Grammys while winning two others (Best Pop Performance Duo or Group and Best Short Form Music Video). The LP would be nominated for Album of the Year and would win the award for Best Alternative Music Album. It would be their first LP to reach #1. While 1992's Automatic for the People would reach #2, sell the same, and get a Grammy nod for Album of the Year, none of its singles would make the Pop Top 10. However, three of them would crack the Top 30. Then 1994's Monster would reach #1 and also go quad platinum. It would featured the band's last two Pop Top 40 singles including the #19 "Band and Blame." Their popularity would slowly wane with their next effort going platinum, then two reaching gold. Their output was more sporadic with the band only releasing three albums in the 00's. After the release of their 2011 album Collapse Into Now, R.E.M. would call it a day. In 2007, R.E.M. was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

_________________________________________________________________________________