R.E.M. Break Up, But It's Not The End Of The World: 14 Songs We Love By The Band (VIDEO)

R.E.M. announced their break-up today, after 31 years as a band. It's sad news indeed, but you know what? They've put out 15 studio albums, 64 singles, and received warm reviews for this year's Collapse Into Now. If they want to stop making music, we can be satisfied with nostalgia. So join us as we travel down R.E.M. lane, from their very first single, 1981's "Radio Free Europe," to this year's "Oh My Heart." One of R.E.M.'s greatest legacies has been their incredible performances, aided in part by Michael Stipe's signature dance moves, so we've decided to go all live on this one. Take a listen, and let us know your favorite R.E.M. song or live experience in the comments.

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Comments

[Jaymie Truschel]

10:54 AM on 09/27/2011

Just buy all their CDs...there are plenty more great songs then just songs listed. In this way you will truely understand REM music. My favorite is probably Find the River which one will never hear on the radio. Wishing Peter, Mike, Michael, and Bill the best of luck in their new future. It sure was a great 30+ year ride.

[guitarslinger68]

11:12 PM on 09/26/2011

14 SONGS YOU LOVE?!?!?! BY the Hack hillbilly band REM?!? You're on crack.

[Msclvr31]

10:17 PM on 09/25/2011

REM....Simply amazing! I was lucky enough to have seen them on many occassions first starting in Omaha in '88 on the Green tour, have taken a "Pilgrimage" during my college yrs. in the early '90's to Athens and last seen them in the United Center in Chicago in '08 in fron of a 25,000 seat sellout show! REM for many of us were the band that defined Generation X. The World has lost one of the great truly inspirational bands of our time. Well done guys! Favorite is probably "Life and How to Live it" off Fables.....b

[Rosemary DOrazio]

09:50 AM on 09/24/2011

Well i wont be crying in my beer over this news / Let me just say that i am a live and let live kind of person/ I usually do not let a stars personal life effect the way i feel about their music or movies etc./ unless i am aware of abuse tow. woman, or hurting other people by slanderous remarks for their own personal gain /. I am a very caring person and have met some really famous people such as Jim Morrison. who was an perfect gentlemen.. / and Patty Smith who was very warm and receptive towards me.. / Ray Davies was so charming and warm./ Stars need to watch what they say in interviews in magazines especially if they are negative remarks about another star or musician etc. Up until this point i have never read any bad things said about stars from other stars/ even from people like Jim Morrison and Patty Smith with that bad boy and girl persona/ until I read an interview with Micheal Stype, where he said that he thought the Beatles were J.Os and in particular John Lennon. Well i love the Beatles and John Lennon is my hero. After reading this, i never listened to their music again. Micheal Stype is a egotistical pompous ass! who obviously thinks he is better than everyone else including the Beatles. Ha! thats a real laugh. Micheal, seriously, get over yourself, and your ginormous ego. You aint all that good!

[politicscorner]

08:00 PM on 09/23/2011

Top Album: Life's Rich Pageant

Top Eleven Songs:(in no particular order)
1. Fall on Me
2. It's the End of the World as we Know It
3. South Central Rain
4. Losing My Religion
5. Radio Free Europe
6. Nightswimming
7. Cayuhoga
8. Maps & Legends
10. Texarkana
11. Pretty Persuasion

[cheo]

02:20 AM on 09/26/2011

And...
I'll take the Rain
Everybody Hurts
Drive
All The Way to Reno
The One I love

I love the unplugged versions too.

[cheo]

03:19 AM on 09/23/2011

Since many of their songs have never grown old to me, I won't even realize they're not together. And though I've never had the good luck to see them live--there's always Youtube!

They have given so much to the world and to me. Here's to you, R.E.M.

[ubrew12]

01:56 AM on 09/24/2011

Couldn't agree with you more. About 'bleeding hearts' as well...

[politicscorner]

11:39 PM on 09/22/2011

Thank you Michael, Mike, Peter, and Bill for all the years of great music. My favorite band from the early 80s through mid-90s.

Thanks, Huff post for posting the videos.

[pakaal]

10:15 PM on 09/22/2011

I saw their Monster tour in Japan around 1995. Stipe did an acapella version of Nightswimming that was breathtaking. "Crush With Eyeliner" and "I Don't Sleep I Dream" are two favorites from that album. I like most of their stuff, going back to the early '80s. Kick back and relax boys, you've done a good job.

[lotsofammo]

04:43 PM on 09/22/2011

I thought Michael died of AIDS years ago.

[jofay118]

04:07 PM on 09/22/2011

And what is the loss? Many small businesses break up and nobody is heartbroken. It's time people grew up and realized it and accepted it, quietly.

[pakaal]

10:17 PM on 09/22/2011

Small businesses = rock band.

Yeah, not quite seeing the connection there. Maybe you can explain the analogy between CEOs and lead singers, and the simple pleasure of kicking back to a couple of albums by my favorite small business, then your analogy might be a little more clear.

[anigma47]

03:27 PM on 09/22/2011

Can't understand his vocals? He is talking more than actually singing.

[too young but old enough]

02:21 PM on 09/22/2011

Was a huge fan of Fables of the Reconstruction, but couldn't get into their post-IRS catalog...Thought it would be time to give it another chance, but not finding anything good from their Warner catalog stuff. Any recommendations for those of us who liked the early years, and would like to find something more recent to enjoy?

[cynic532]

03:18 PM on 09/22/2011

Automatic for the People

[cheo]

03:20 AM on 09/23/2011

I recommend these two above all.

Automatic for The People
Reveal

[mertiehop]

02:15 PM on 09/22/2011

No more shiney happy people holding hands....

[ubrew12]

01:53 AM on 09/24/2011

No, since Wallstreet tanked the economy in 2008, we all seem to be dull unhappy people playing 'last man standing'. It seems so pollyanic to listen to that song now. The Republicans must be so proud (Grover Norquist in particular).

[islandification]

01:47 PM on 09/22/2011

Good band, but their best stuff was 15 or more years ago.

[too young but old enough]

02:18 PM on 09/22/2011

I would go even further back than that, but I wasn't much of a fan of their post-IRS career.

[Endoftv Asweknowit]

01:43 PM on 09/22/2011

Warner trying to shut this down. New link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjazMfhZgzE