R.E.M., “Losing My Religion” | Outlandish Rock 🎸🤘

On the 5^th edition of Outlandish Rock 🎸🤘, we explore the outlandishness behind the song “Losing My Religion” performed by R.E.M..

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ring on the outlandishness! Outlandish Rock 🎸🤘 is a column that falls under the umbrella of Controversial Tunes 😈🎶.  Like its parent column, Outlandish Rock 🎸🤘 provides background information and insight into rock and metal songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  The records featured on Outlandish Rock 🎸🤘 can be classic or brand new. On the 5^th edition of Outlandish Rock 🎸🤘, we explore the controversy behind the song, 🎵 “Losing My Religion” performed by 🎙 R.E.M..

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Theme & Lyrics ✍

“That’s me in the corner / That’s me in the spotlight / Losing my religion.” Losing your religion, 🎙 Michael Stipe? You’re not allowed to lose religion – you’ll go to a burning, flaming HELL! Okay, okay, okay – I’m totally messing around.  First and foremost, if Stipe and R.E.M. are okay with 🎵 “Losing My Religion”, then, so am I. Honestly, the 🏆 Grammy-winning record just happens to be one of the greatest of all time.  Furthermore, this gem from 💿 Out of Time (1991), isn’t even about religion! The pre-chorus, a key section, continues, “Trying to keep up with you / And I don’t know if I can do it / Oh no, I’ve said too much / I haven’t said enough.” Sigh, regardless of the fact we can’t be judgmental about actually losing religion, we can show this marvelous pop/rock classic some love. It’s not that outlandish but we’ll roll with it!

“I thought that I heard you laughing

I thought that I heard you sing

I think I thought I saw you try.”

My, my, my! “Losing My Religion” is about obsession, which should be crystal clear in the first verse and confirmed by the excerpted chorus.  “Oh, life is bigger / It’s bigger than you, and you’re a not me,” Stipe sings, continuing, “The lengths that I will go to / The distance in your eyes / Oh, no, I’ve said too much / I’ve set it up.” Woo! Stipe remains obsessed in the second verse, admitting to “Trying to keep an eye on you / Like a hurt, lost, and blinded fool.” Stipe is right – his longing for this person who won’t reciprocate the feelings/ keep the same energy is a waste of time.  As outlandish as his obsession may be, can’t we all relate to some degree?

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Final Thoughts 💭

Yeah, I know – you wanted an Outlandish Rock 🎸🤘 filled with f-bombs, graphic descriptions, and, of course, outlandishness.  Sure, this certified R.E.M. classic lacks all three, but just admit it – “Losing My Religion” ranks among the most kick-ass songs of all time.  I guess it could’ve fit the mold of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶, or I could’ve acknowledged it as an LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 (Stipe is queer), but, we’ll stick with very lighthearted outlandishness!

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🎙 R.E.M. • 💿 Out of Time • 🏷 R.E.M. / Athens L.L.C. / Concord Music Group • 🗓 1991

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R.E.M., “Losing My Religion”: Outlandish Rock 🎸🤘 No. 5 (2022) [📷: Athens L.L.C., Brent Faulkner, Concord Music Group, The Musical Hype, Paul Brennan on Pixabay, Pexels, R.E.M., Sebastian Ervi, SHVETS production, Vinícius Caricatte]

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