Song of the Day – Day 18 – Losing My Religion – R.E.M

The 18^th song in my song of the day series which has taken about 3 months to write instead of 18 days is R.E.M Losing my Religion. This song was released in 1991 which is much earlier that I thought as in my head I remember it coming out but I was only 4 so maybe I don’t. The song was not expected to chart well but was played heavily on MTV due to its award-winning video. This bolstered its popularity and it ended up being the bands most successful hit and promoted R.E.M to a more mainstream fanbase. It hit number 4 in the US Billboard charts and 1 in the Rock Charts, 19 in the UK and top 10 in 9 other countries. It was certified Silver in the UK, Gold in the US and Platinum in Italy. The song isn’t actually about religion which may come a surprise to many, the phrase ‘losing my religion’ is a phrase commonly used in the Southern states of America to describe losing your temper. It makes sense really as I guess losing one’s temper is not very Christian and the Southern states of America are strong Christian states. It’s actually a love song about unrequited love and being at the end of your together, with a similar feel to Every Breath you take by The Police. Considering the initial serious feel of the song it is really quiet an upbeat pop song that you can dance along to. Overall it is one of my fave songs and many agree as it is listed as number 169 on Rolling Stones list of the greatest songs of all time.

Here are the Lyrics:

Life is bigger
It’s bigger
And you, you are not me
The lengths that I will go to
The distance in your eyes
Oh no, I’ve said too much
I set it up

That’s me in the corner
That’s me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
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

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

Every whisper
Of every waking hour
I’m choosing my confessions
Trying to keep an eye on you
Like a hurt lost and blinded fool
Oh no, I’ve said too much
I set it up

Consider this
The hint of the century
Consider this
The slip that brought me
To my knees failed
What if all these fantasies
Come flailing around
Now I’ve said too much

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

But that was just a dream
That was just a dream

That’s me in the corner
That’s me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
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

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

But that was just a dream, try, cry, why, try
That was just a dream, just a dream, just a dream
Dream