35 years since the release of 'Losing My Religion': the song that made R.E.M. legendary worldwide

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Losing My Religion is still one of the most famous songs in the world. Released as the first single from the album Out of Time, on March 12, 1991, it's R.E.M.'s most famous song and marked their final breakthrough: the single reached fourth place in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Losing My Religion was written by R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, who says he composed the song while watching television. Buck had a just-purchased mandolin in his hands and was trying to teach himself to play the instrument. Not coincidentally, the song's signature riff is played on that very instrument.

Recording began in September 1990 at Bearsville Studio A in Woodstock, New York. The song was arranged in the studio for mandolin, electric bass and drums.

The meaning of the song

Many people have wondered what this song is really about: is it actually about faith? Is it a romantic or just a political message? Clarity came from Michael Stipe himself, in a famous interview he gave to the New York Times in 1991.

To begin with, Losing My Religion has nothing to do with religion in the sense of a spiritual doctrine. The title is taken from a typical expression from the southern United States, which roughly translates to "losing my patience" or "not being able to stand it anymore". So it's a desperate exclamation: the protagonist is in love but unrequited, and this eats away at him until he reaches a breaking point. Moreover, Stipe has admitted that the song owes a lot to Every Breath You Take by The Police, making it a deeply spiritual song, but with roots firmly rooted in the feeling of love.

Yet there's an additional level of interpretation. In the essay A Companion to Media Studies, edited by Angharad N. Valdivia, it's argued that in the song's lyrics - consciously or unconsciously - there's also Stip's discomfort with his own celebrity shining through. Almost like an invitation to fans to look beyond the spotlight (That's me in the spotlight) in order to see his most authentic self.

Whatever interpretation you adhere to, the appeal of this song remains unaffected: Losing My Religion has crossed generations and national borders, and will continue to do so, impervious to hypes and the ravages of time.

The video of Losing My Religion

The music video was directed by Tarsem Singh and was named Video of the Year at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards. The clip features images referring to various religions and in particular the figure of St. Sebastian.

Awards

The band and the song garnered two Grammy Awards: for Best Short Form Music Video and for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

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