The top 100 most played songs by R.E.M. in their career. Information taken from www.remtimeline.com

The R.E.M. Timeline Top 100 Live Countdown

First performance: 17 July 1983 - Toad’s Place, New Haven, CT
Last performance: 23 September 2008 - Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany
Total number of known performances: 88

We’re starting the countdown at number 98 because we have a 3-way tie for the position.

Written in the period post Murmur’s release while on the road touring that album, the song debuted in July 1983, but unlike most other songs that became set regulars after their debut, it was only played twice that year, on 17 and 20 July. Even during 1984 on the Reckoning tour it was only played occasionally, getting played 23 times (20% of shows). It made very occasional appearances after that in 1985-87, with 1989’s Green tour providing the most performances, 35 in total (25% of shows). The song had seemingly been retired about after that, but was resurrected in 2008, getting 8 plays on that tour, with Munich the city with its final appearance.
Perhaps the most well-known performance of the song occurred on 14 September 1987 in Utrecht, The Netherlands, when in the final encore of the night just Michael and Peter performed the song, followed by Michael singing a few lines of Peter Gabriel’s ‘Red Rain’, before closing with a mesmerizing ‘So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)’ to close the show. It was officially released as ‘Time After Time Etc.’ on the B-Side to the ‘Finest Worksong’ 7” and 12” single in 1988.

Fun fact: The water tower referred to in the song was in Athens on Chase Street. It has since been torn down. Despite the song being based on real events, Michael confirmed Annelise was a fictional character.

1983-07-17 New Haven, CT

#98 - R.E.M. - Time After Time (Annelise) - 17 July 1983, Toad's Place, New Haven, CT

2008-09-23 Germany, München, Olympiahalle

#98 - R.E.M. - Time After Time (Annelise) - 23 September 2008 - Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany

1989-10-14, PNE Coliseum, Vancouver, BC

#98 - R.E.M. - Time After Time (Annelise) - 14 October 1989 - Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, Canada

First performance: 7 October 1986 - Coliseum, Utah State Fairpark, Salt Lake City, UT
Last performance: 21 April 1989 - Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, VA
Total number of known performances: 88

Although not released until ‘Document’ in 1987, the song made its live debut about 1 month into the Pageantry tour in October 1986. It was played at most shows thereafter during 1986 and 1987, but seemingly fell out of favour with the band after that, and was only played 1 further time in 1989, before being permanently retired.

Fun fact: The firehouse referred to in the song is the old Athens fire station at 489 Prince Avenue. The building still exists, and is now home to the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation.

This live version comes from a performance on 29 October 1987 in Ann Arbor, MI, a blistering 7 minute version with a ferocious Peter guitar solo. Enjoy!

1987-10-29 Ann Arbor, MI

#98 - R.E.M. - Oddfellows Local 151 - 29 October 1987 - University Of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

First known performance: 4 October 1980 - Tyrone’s O.C., Athens, GA
Last performance: 11 June 1989 - Metropol, Berlin, West Germany
Total number of known performances: 88 (actual number likely to be 150-200)

In the liner notes for ‘Dead Letter Office’, Peter claimed this song was written the same afternoon as ‘Radio Free Europe’, however the first documented performance of this song occurs almost 4 months earlier than that one (setlist information is sparse for 1980 and 1981 however!). For a song called a ‘Xeroxed surf instrumental’ by one well regarded R.E.M. book, this was a song held in high regard by the band, featuring at least twice on every tour in the 1980’s, including a very respectable 17 times in 1986 (27% of shows that tour, possibly due to being featured as the B-Side to the ‘Superman’ 7” single). It was played twice in 1989, before being retired for good.

Fun fact: This song had many titles in its early days, including ‘Stronger Than Dirt’, ‘Generic Surf’ and ‘Auntie’s Quilt’. Even after settling on the name ‘White Tornado’ it would still feature on setlists written as ‘Generic Surf’.

This live version comes from 23 January 1982 at Viceroy Park in Charlotte, NC, a time still 4 months prior to them signing with IRS and 7 months prior to 'Chronic Town'!

1982-01-23 Viceroy Park, Charlotte, NC

#98 - R.E.M. - White Tornado - 23 January 1982 - Viceroy Park, Charlotte, NC

First performance: 15 October 2004 - The Greek Theatre, University Of California At Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Last performance: 16 July 2005 - Hyde Park, London, England
Total number of performances: 89

Played at most shows throughout 2004 and 2005 promoting ‘Around The Sun’, it was performed 22 times in 2004 (59% of shows) and 67 times in 2005 (79% of shows).

While the album version featured the rapper ‘Q-Tip’, to recreate the song live Michael would take on the rapping part himself. An alternate take of the song with Michael doing the rap part was released as a B-side to the ‘Wanderlust’ UK CD single.

Fun fact: The inspiration for the lyrics to the song came to Michael while watching Radiohead perform ‘No Surprises’ at a concert.

The version featured here is from Hyde Park, London on 16 July 2005, the final show of the tour, and the final performance of the song.

#97 - R.E.M. - The Outsiders - 16 July 2005 - Hyde Park, London, England

First known performance: 8 May 1985 - Shirley Welsh-Ryan Arena, McGaw Memorial Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Last performance: 30 September 1989 - Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI
Total number of known performances: 102

A short song usually sung a capella by Michael but occasionally played with the whole band, in 1985 it was usually played during one of the encores as a bridging song, with no regular song to follow. While it was recorded for ‘Lifes Rich Pageant’ and not included (later released on the IRS Years CD reissue in 1993 and the 25th anniversary deluxe edition in 2011), Michael continued to sing it, and it was often used as the introduction to ‘I Believe’ on the Pageantry, Document and Green tours.

Fun fact: This song, along with Boy (Go) started the second encore of the infamous 17 August 1985 Barrymore’s show in Ottawa, Canada, where they subsequently played the following songs:
Paint It, Black / In The Year 2525 / Smokin' In The Boys Room / Sweet Home Alabama / (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - 12XU / Secret Agent Man / The Lion Sleeps Tonight / God Save The Queen / Roadrunner - 12XU / 20th Century Boy / Ska. And then there was a third encore of ‘Carnival Of Sorts (Boxcars)’.

1985-08-17 Ottawa, Canada

#85 - R.E.M. - Tired Of Singing Trouble - Boy (Go) - 17 August 1985 - Barrymore's, Ottawa, Canada

First performance: 13 January 2001 - World Stage, Rock In Rio For A Better World, Rock City, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Last performance: 16 November 2008 - Festival Movistar Música 2008, Campo de Fútbol Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela
Total number of performances: 102

Another 2-way tie sees us skip past #86.

Debuting at the Rock In Rio festival in Brazil 4 months prior to its release on ‘Reveal’ in front of 190,000 people, this became a very popular song with the band and featured heavily throughout the 2001 promotional tour, and was then performed at every show on the 2003 tour. It was relegated to occasional status in 2004 and 2005, before returning for 17 performances in 2008 (21% of shows), with Caracas in Venezuela the site of its final performance.

Fun fact: When performed live Peter would extend the song with a solo at the end, allowing Michael to dance around the entire stage!

The version featured here is from 13 October 2004 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, featuring one of Peter's superb guitar solos.

#85 - R.E.M. - She Just Wants To Be - 13 October 2004 - Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

First known performance: 30 January 1981 - Tyrone's O.C., Athens, GA
Last performance: 5 June 2008 - Xcel Energy Center - St. Paul, MN
Total number of known performances: 100 (likely actual amount 230-260)

Written around the same period as ‘Sitting Still’ and ‘Radio Free Europe’ in late 1980/early 1981, ‘Shaking Through’ was a staple of known setlists throughout 1981 and 1982, and is highly likely it was played at the majority of shows in those years.

Post ‘Murmur’ however its playing frequency decreased, with the band seemingly beginning to tire of it (listen to the pleas from the audience for the song at the 9 July 1983 Toronto show and Michael’s adamant cries of ‘No!’), and it was relegated to occasional status in 1984 and 1985.

One notable performance occurred on 26 November 1985 in St. Petersburg, FL, where Roger McGuinn joined the band on stage to perform the song, along with ‘So You Want To Be A Rock’n’Roll Star’.

It saw a revival in 1986, getting 37 plays that year (58% of shows), but was then dropped entirely for 1987’s Document tour. 1989 saw it played occasionally, mostly in the first half of the tour, before it was seemingly retired. It was revived for 2 plays in September 2003 in Chicago and Auburn Hills, and one final time in St. Paul on 5 June 2008.

Fun fact: The performance of the song on 18 March 1989 in Tempe, AZ was halted 2/3 of the way through when Peter owned up to making a mistake. Rather than restart the song, they chose to play ‘Underneath the Bunker’ as atonement!

1981-11-06 Friday's, Greensboro, NC

#87 - R.E.M. - Shaking Through - 6 November 1981 - Friday's, Greensboro, NC

First known performance: 30 January 1981 - Tyrone's O.C., Athens, GA
Last performance: 5 June 2008 - Xcel Energy Center - St. Paul, MN
Total number of known performances: 100 (likely actual amount 230-260)
Written around the same period as ‘Sitting Still’ and ‘Radio Free Europe’ in late 1980/early 1981, ‘Shaking Through’ was a staple of known setlists throughout 1981 and 1982, and is highly likely it was played at the majority of shows in those years. Post ‘Murmur’ however its playing frequency decreased, with the band seemingly beginning to tire of it (listen to the pleas from the audience for the song at the 9 July 1983 Toronto show and Michael’s adamant cries of ‘No!’), and it was relegated to occasional status in 1984 and 1985. One notable performance occurred on 26 November 1985 in St. Petersburg, FL, where Roger McGuinn joined the band on stage to perform the song, along with ‘So You Want To Be A Rock’n’Roll Star’.
It saw a revival in 1986, getting 37 plays that year (58% of shows), but was then dropped entirely for 1987’s Document tour. 1989 saw it played occasionally, mostly in the first half of the tour, before it was seemingly retired. It was revived for 2 plays in September 2003 in Chicago and Auburn Hills, and one final time in St. Paul on 5 June 2008, which is where this version comes from.

Fun fact: The performance of the song on 18 March 1989 in Tempe, AZ was halted 2/3 of the way through when Peter owned up to making a mistake. Rather than restart the song, they chose to play ‘Underneath the Bunker’ as atonement!

#87 - R.E.M. - Shaking Through - 5 June 2008 - Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN

First performance: 30 September 1983 - Stitchcraft, Inc, Athens, GA
Last performance: 30 June 2007 - Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
Total number of known performances: 98 (likely actual amount 110-115)

Presumably written during the month break the band took off from touring in September 1983 (Vacation in Athens was indeed calling!), this song made its debut at the infamous Stichcraft, Inc show in Athens, GA on 30 September 1983, and from then on became a set regular throughout the rest of that year, as well as 1984.

It moved to occasional status in 1985, and then was only played 3 times in 1986 before seemingly being retired. Michael resurrected it as a snippet during 1989, often singing part of it to accompany ‘King Of Birds’.
Quite unexpectedly however the full song made a reappearance on 30 June 2007 at the Dublin rehearsal shows in the middle of the set, quite a treat for those who were there! 

Fun fact: The lyrics at its debut performance were still a work in progress, with Michael singing ‘Vacation in Athens is calling’ in multiple verses with much of the lyrics from the album version yet to be written. They were gradually filled in over the next few months.

#88 - R.E.M. - Letter Never Sent - 20 April 1984 - Eldorado, Paris, France

First performance: 22 October 2000 - Land Aid 2000, Courthouse Steps, Athens-Clarke County Courthouse, Athens, GA
Last performance: 11 November 2008 - Via Funchal, São Paulo, Brazil
Total number of performances: 98

The first time ‘I’ve Been High’ was performed was at the Land Aid festival on Sunday, October 22, in downtown Athens, GA. The performance was in aid of a group that had been recently formed in Athens to help protect the environment, reduce sprawl and encourage a higher quality of life in the town. Michael sang the song accompanied by a boombox, before Peter and Mike joined for acoustic versions of ‘Losing My Religion’ and ‘Fall On Me’. 

The first full band performance of the song occurred for television on 26 April 2001 for the BBC music program 'Top Of The Pops' in London, England. It was played a lot during the 2001 promotional tour for ‘Reveal’, and continued to receive regular plays throughout the rest of the decade, peaking at 27 plays during 2005 (32% of shows).

Fun fact: The song was performed by The Minus Five on 11 November 2001 at Dingwalls in London, England with Ken Stringfellow on lead vocals. The lineup consisted of Mike Mills, Ken Stringfellow, Robyn Hitchcock and Scott McCaughey. Robyn Hitchcock also sang lead on ‘Electrolite’ at that show.

#88 - R.E.M. - I've Been High - 8 February 2005 - Palais Omnisports De Paris Bercy, Paris, France

First known performance: 22 January 1982 - Friday's, Greensboro, NC
Last performance: 13 November 1989 - Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA
Total number of known performances: 97 (likely amount 200-230)

By early 1982 R.E.M. were really hitting their songwriting stride, with many of the ‘Murmur’ songs debuting in setlists. The band knew they were onto something with ‘Catapult’, and it features in the majority of known setlists throughout 1982 and 1983, and as such is reasonably safe to assume it was played at most shows during those years.

The song however was tainted in the eyes of the band when used as a demo trial for now well-known producer Stephen Hague, who was relatively new to the scene at the time and still many years away from producing some of his best known work, including Malcolm McLaren, New Order, Pet Shop Boys and Blur to name a few. Stephen was suggested to the band by IRS Records as a producer for ‘Murmur’, so the band recorded ‘Catapult’ with him as a trial. From the many accounts of this over the years from the band they did not enjoy the process one bit, with reports of Bill being completely miserable due to him being forced to play the same drum beats over and over again, and the addition of synthesizers to the song was something the band was not fond of at all. 

The sourness of this experience didn’t seem to put them off playing the song throughout 1983, with it being played at the majority shows where full setlists are known, however its frequency in setlists dropped sharply in 1984, only being played 19 known times that year (17% of shows), then seemingly retired for good. It made a final appearance at the 13 November 1989 Atlanta show when all of ‘Murmur’ was played in its entirety, then was put to rest again.

Fun fact: The Stephen Hague version of ‘Catapult’ was kept secret for many years; however, it found its way onto the internet in 2011. While it certainly wouldn’t have fit with what the band were doing at the time, all these years later doesn't sound too bad to these ears!

1983-07-08 Detroit (JEMS)

#90 - R.E.M. - Catapult - 8 July 1983 - Saint Andrew's Hall, Detroit, MI

First performance: 14 September 2004 - St. James's Church, London, England
Last performance: 25 June 2005 - Forum Horsens Stadion, Horsens, Denmark
Total number of performances: 95

Featuring heavily in setlists throughout 2004 and 2005, ‘I Wanted To Be Wrong’ was played 33 times in 2004 (89% of shows), and 62 times in 2005 (74% of shows). For most of its run in 2005 it was immediately followed by ‘Final Straw’, which was the usual set flow for every show up to 25 May 2005. After that the setlists were mixed up more, and it would generally be followed by either ‘The One I Love’ or ‘Orange Crush’ for the remainder of the time it was played. It was retired for the last 11 shows of the tour, with Horsens, Denmark the scene of its final performance.

Fun fact: There’s a line in the song ‘You’re Yul Brynner Westworld’ referencing the movie that inspired the current HBO TV series. That series frequently features popular music that has been adapted for the show, including numerous Radiohead songs, but so far no R.E.M. songs in season 1 or 2. I’m hoping for something in the upcoming season 3!

#91 - R.E.M. - I Wanted To Be Wrong - 25 June 2005 - Forum Horsens Stadion, Horsens, Denmark

First performance: 15 November 1995 - Orlando Arena, Orlando, FL 
Last performance: 18 November 2008 - Auditorio Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
Total number of performances: 93

A personal favourite, the closing track from ‘Automatic For The People’ made its debut towards the end of the Monster tour, featuring Amanda Brown, formerly of The Go-Betweens on violin, who guested with the band at the final 8 shows of the tour. Amanda also joined the band on 'Losing My Religion', 'Binky The Doormat', 'Strange Currencies' and 'Everybody Hurts', and can be seen performing with the band on the ‘Road Movie’ release.

During the 1999 and 2003 tours the song featured heavily, receiving 34 plays in 1999 (68% of shows), and 31 times in 2003 (54% of shows). It continued to be played on an irregular basis up to 2008, and it featured in the band’s final show on 18 November 2008 in Mexico City.

Fun fact: The opening chords of the song sound almost identical to the very first performance of ‘Time After Time (Annelise)’ on 17 July 1983, which was shared earlier in the week. Listen and judge for yourself!

#93 - R.E.M. - Find The River - 18 November 1995 - The Omni, Atlanta, GA

First performance: 5 September 1986 - Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Pelham, AL
Last performance: 22 April 1989 - Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center, University Of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Total number of known performances: 92

A beautiful number from ‘Lifes Rich Pageant’, debuting at the first show of the Pageantry tour in Pelham, AL, the band played the song at every show on the tour that year. It continued to be played on the Document tour in 1987, but on fewer occasions (37% of shows). It began the Green tour in 1989 receiving semi regular plays, but after the 22 April show in Chapel Hill, NC it was never played again.

Fun fact: At the 4 October 1987 show at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke University, Durham, NC, Michael introduced the song with the line ‘This ain't rock and roll, this is genocide’, a line from David Bowie’s ‘Diamond Dogs’

The version presented here is from 18 March 1989 in Tempe, AZ, one of its final performances.

1989-03-18 Tempe, AZ

#94 - R.E.M. - The Flowers Of Guatemala - 18 March 1989 - Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

First known performance: 20 January 1986 - 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA (w/ Bryan Cook on lead vocals), 5 September 1986 - Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Pelham, AL (w/ Michael on lead vocals)
Last performance: 9 November 1998 - Vinterträdgården, Grand Hotel, Stockholm, Sweden
Total number of known performances: 90

We have a 2 way tie for the next position so we move to #95 for the next 2 songs.

A cover of a song by the band Wire from their ‘Pink Flag’ album released in 1977, ‘Strange’ made its live debut in January 1986 at the benefit show for D Boon of The Minutemen, who was tragically killed in a car accident about a month earlier (The Minutemen supported R.E.M. on the last leg of the Reconstruction tour). That performance however did not feature Michael on lead vocals; there it was sung by Bryan Cook of Athens band ‘Time Toy’, who had also played with Mike, Peter and Bill as ‘Hindu Love Gods’. The first performance with Michael on lead vocals was on 5 September 1986 in Pelham, AL.

Interestingly, the line ‘Michael’s nervous and the lights are bright’ was not performed for the first known time until 12 September 1987 in London, England, after it had been recorded for ‘Document’. Throughout 1986 Michael sang the line ‘keep your eyes screwed to the floor’ instead.

The song resonated with the band and became a set regular during the Pageantry tour, featuring in 58% of setlists that year. It was liked enough to be recorded for ‘Document’ and received 27 plays in 1987 (50% of shows). It was played sporadically during the 1989 Green tour, with 24 performances (18% of shows) before being seemingly retired for good. It received 2 further plays however for 2 shows in Vienna and Stockholm in 1998 while promoting ‘Up’ for shows that were recorded for TV broadcasts.

This is the first performance of the song with Michael on lead vocals.

Fun fact: Michael first debuted a snippet of ‘Strange’ on 29 August 1985 in Washington, D.C. during a medley of Wild Thing, which also featured snippets of ‘Louie Louie’ and another Wire song ‘12 X U’

#95 - R.E.M. - Strange - 5 September 1986 - Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Pelham, AL

First known performance: 20 January 1986 - 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA (w/ Bryan Cook on lead vocals), 5 September 1986 - Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Pelham, AL (w/ Michael on lead vocals)
Last performance: 9 November 1998 - Vinterträdgården, Grand Hotel, Stockholm, Sweden
Total number of known performances: 90

We have a 2 way tie for the next position so we move to #95 for the next 2 songs.

A cover of a song by the band Wire from their ‘Pink Flag’ album released in 1977, ‘Strange’ made its live debut in January 1986 at the benefit show for D Boon of The Minutemen, who was tragically killed in a car accident about a month earlier (The Minutemen supported R.E.M. on the last leg of the Reconstruction tour). That performance however did not feature Michael on lead vocals; there it was sung by Bryan Cook of Athens band ‘Time Toy’, who had also played with Mike, Peter and Bill as ‘Hindu Love Gods’. The first performance with Michael on lead vocals was on 5 September 1986 in Pelham, AL.

Interestingly, the line ‘Michael’s nervous and the lights are bright’ was not performed for the first known time until 12 September 1987 in London, England, after it had been recorded for ‘Document’. Throughout 1986 Michael sang the line ‘keep your eyes screwed to the floor’ instead.

The song resonated with the band and became a set regular during the Pageantry tour, featuring in 58% of setlists that year. It was liked enough to be recorded for ‘Document’ and received 27 plays in 1987 (50% of shows). It was played sporadically during the 1989 Green tour, with 24 performances (18% of shows) before being seemingly retired for good. It received 2 further plays however for 2 shows in Vienna and Stockholm in 1998 while promoting ‘Up’ for shows that were recorded for TV broadcasts.

Fun fact: Michael first debuted a snippet of ‘Strange’ on 29 August 1985 in Washington, D.C. during a medley of Wild Thing, which also featured snippets of ‘Louie Louie’ and another Wire song ‘12 X U’

#95 - R.E.M. - Strange - 3 October 1987 - Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke University, Durham, NC

First performance: 30 June 2007 - Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
Last performance: 18 November 2008 - Auditorio Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
Total number of performances: 90

Our two way tie for number 95 is the opening track from 'Accelerate' and the first clue this was going to be a very different album to 'Around The Sun'. Debuting at the ‘rehearsal’ shows in Dublin in 2007, this fast rocker was a great way to kick off the ‘Accelerate’ album, and it opened most of the shows on the 2008 Accelerate tour. It was played at every show on that tour, with the last time coming at the band’s final show in Mexico City.

Fun fact: The song had a working title of ‘Fast One in B’, presumably because that aptly described the song!

The version featured here comes from the second show at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA on 1 June 2008.

#95 -R.E.M. - Living Well Is The Best Revenge - 1 June 2008 - The Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA

First performance: 30 June 2007 - Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland 
Last performance: 18 November 2008 - Auditorio Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
Total number of performances: 95

Debuting at the rehearsal shows in Dublin in 2007, when it was known as ‘Disguised’, it became a very popular song to play during the Accelerate tour, getting played at every show on that tour, surpassing ‘Living Well Is The Best Revenge’ as it was also played a few additional times for TV and radio performances. 

Most shows on the 2008 tour featured ‘Supernatural Superserious’ as the first encore song, with ‘Losing My Religion’ usually following. Not a bad double to save for your encore! 

Fun fact:  At the 24 October 2008 show in Grand Prairie, TX, Michael revealed that the summer camp in the song was Camp Tahuaya where he had the bizarre séance experience (his words) and the camp was not far from the venue – (Google Maps says it’s 152 miles south and is closer to Austin). He went on to say nothing sexual occurred there, but he took that experience and changed a lot of the details and brought in some bondage to make it a more interesting song!