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'Song Exploder' Episode 3: R.E.M. deliberately sabotaged career to compose unlikely hit 'Losing My Religion'

Guitarist Peter Buck reveals how they got bored of doing the same routine for 10 years and just to come out of the boredom, they were willing to sabotage their career

The popular rock band of the late '80s and early '90s, R.E.M. aka Rapid Eye Movement, had one of the biggest hits of their career in the form of ‘Losing My Religion’. But how did the band compose a song which catapulted them to mainstream success? If you have been scratching your head for too long about the same, then Netflix’s new documentary series ‘Song Exploder’ will answer all your queries.

‘Song Exploder’ is an adaptation of a popular independent podcast with the same name started by Hrishikesh Hirway way back in 2014. The host returns with the intention of going behind the stories, emotions and the ideas of some of the hit songs.

The third episode titled 'R.E.M. — Losing My Religion' revolves around how the song became an unlikely hit among the masses after its release in February 1991. The host sits down with the band members — Bill Berry (drummer), Peter Buck (guitarist), Mike Mills (bassist) and Michael Stipe (lead vocalist) — and talks to them about the story, the idea and the conception of their biggest hit single ever.

The highlight of the episode is when guitarist Buck reveals how they got bored of doing the same routine for 10 years and just to come out of the boredom, they were willing to sabotage their career. Well, he didn’t stop here. He goes on to reveal that how they used a Mandolin, removed the obvious chorus and incorporated handclaps just to ruin the song. But luck was in their favor and it turned out to be the biggest hit single of their music career.

‘Losing My Religion’ ended up winning two Grammys along with MTV Video of the Year award. The song became such a rage that even The Rolling Stone magazine hailed them as ‘America’s Best Rock and Roll Band’ in that year. Well, that was some twist in fate. 

‘Song Exploder’ hosted by Hirway breaks down the songs we have all loved. The new series has also roped in artistes such as rapper Ty Dolla $ign, Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys and the Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda.

You can also check the trailer of ‘Song Exploder’ here.