R.E.M. discusses surprise reunion at Songwriters Hall of Fame, reveals why there won’t be another

Legendary alternative rock band REM marked their induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday night, giving nostalgic fans something they’ve been dreaming about for about 17 years: a reunion.

Fans have waited years to see the band on stage again, and on Thursday night they got it – a surprise song, just once, when REM performed an acoustic version of their Grammy-winning hit, “Losing My Religion.”

The intimate and moving performance was the first time that vocalist Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry had performed together publicly since 2007, when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

REM surprise reunion

The band was already quietly planning the reunion in February when “CBS Mornings” visited them at their former rehearsal space in Athens, Georgia, where they formed in 1980. Since then, they have released 15 studio albums and sold millions of records, becoming one of the most popular bands in history, before breaking up in 2011.

“Everyone here is sworn to secrecy,” Mills said about the possibility of taking the stage with his former bandmates during the interview.

When asked what it would take to get the original band back together, the bandmates laughed and jokingly suggested “a comet” or “super glue.”

Thursday’s meeting surprised and delighted fans, but REM said don’t expect another.

Buck said he wouldn’t know what he would try to accomplish if the group officially returned. Stipe agreed there will not be another “last time.”

“It’s like all the reasons why you don’t want to do it are still in place. We’re lucky to have… we don’t really love the word ‘legacy’ that we can leave in place and not mess up. don’t have this opportunity, but once. Once you change that, you can’t go back,” Mills explained.

“We had our day in the sun,” Stipe said.

Back to the beginning

A reunion tour may not be in REM’s future, but the bandmates said they enjoyed reminiscing about their early days and the great music they made. Mills said they “had a lot of fun” at their Athens rehearsal space in particular.

The honor of being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame led the group to reflect on their music and what inspired it.

Berry said the Beatles changed his life when he was just 7 years old, inspiring him to become a musician.

Mills, Buck and Berry said they typically wrote the music and then handed it to Stipe, who would add the lyrics. Stipe said his songs weren’t always an instant hit.

“We don’t always write songs or songs that people connect with on first listen. Sometimes it took seven, eight or even 10 listens before the melodies were absorbed. got something,” Stipe said, joking that this must mean the band consists of “very complicated, intelligent people.”

REM’s 1991 song “Losing My Religion” quickly climbed the charts. In 2022, it surpassed more than 1 billion views on YouTube, according to Billboard.

The song’s popularity surprised the band. They never thought it would be a success.

“I mean, we made a lot of really good records. And then, randomly, we had a hit single with a mandolin lead. I was, like, go figure,” Buck said.

Watch more of REM’s interview with “CBS Mornings” here.