Top 10 Best Songs by R.E.M.

The unlikely worldwide hit carried by a mandolin. It's not about religion, but about obsessive, unrequited love ("losing my religion" is a Southern expression for losing it). The handclaps, the strings and the unique voice of Stipe make it magical. It's a song that remains elusive, no matter how many times you hear it. Timeless perfection.

A song that has saved lives! A simple, direct message to anyone who doesn't see a way forward: hold on. The music is a 6/8 soul ballad with an arpeggiated guitar. The strings swell to an emotional climax. Stipe doesn't sing for himself, but for the listener. It's not art, it's an outstretched hand. Sincere and moving.

Drive is not a typical rock song. It's slow, atmospheric and threatening. The acoustic guitar and strings create a hypnotic sound. The lyrics are a call to youth ("Hey kids, rock and roll"), but sounds more like a warning. It builds toward a climax that never fully explodes, maintaining the tension. A masterpiece of restrained power.

Often mistaken for a love song, but the lyrics are hard and cynical: "A simple prop to occupy my time." The guitar riff is sharp and biting. Stipe screams "Fire!" in the chorus with intense passion. It's an anti-love song disguised as a perfect pop-rock tune. Dark, tight and uncompromising.

A tribute to comedian Andy Kaufman. The song has a wonderful, rural atmosphere with slide guitars and a swaying rhythm. Stipe sings the lyrics with a wink ("Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah"). It's about belief, illusion and the line between joke and reality. The chorus is grand and gripping, made to be sung with thousands of people at once.

The song that the band hated but the world loved. It's unashamedly cheerful pop with a catchy guitar riff. Kate Pierson from The B-52's sings along and adds extra color. Though it sounds superficial and saccharine, there's an ironic layer underneath (based on Chinese propaganda posters). A guilty pleasure that's impossible to resist.

Purer than this doesn't get. Only piano, strings and the voice of Stipe. No drums, no guitar. It's a nostalgic look back at youth, at skinny dipping at night and the innocence you lose. The oboe solo in the outro is of heart-breaking beauty. A song that feels like a warm summer evening that should never end.

A waterfall of words set to music. Michael Stipe rattles off a stream of consciousness and associations at a murderous pace. It's energetic, manic and cheerful, despite the apocalyptic title. The chorus is a liberating singalong. It's the ultimate chaos track, perfect for moments when the world really does seem to be falling apart and you can only laugh about it.

The closer of their masterpiece "Automatic For The People." It's a beautiful, folky song about the end of life and accepting it. The accordion and background vocals (by Mike Mills and Bill Berry) give it a warm, resigned atmosphere. It sounds like a sunset. A song that offers comfort and tells you that everything eventually flows to the sea.