R.E.M. is a famous rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980. The group gained a devoted fan base with their unique sound, blending jangly guitar riffs and cryptic lyrics.
In general, the band originally consisted of Michael Stipe (vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass), and Bill Berry (drums). And, the R.E.M. earned widespread acclaim with albums like Murmur, Document, and Automatic for the People.
Their emotional music and Stipe’s unique voice helped shape the sound of the ’80s and ’90s. Over the decades, they maintained artistic credibility while achieving commercial success, before disbanding amicably in 2011.
About the Song
Radio Free Europe was R.E.M.’s breakthrough single and a defining moment in college rock history. First released in 1981 on the independent Hib-Tone label, the song was later re-recorded and released in 1983 as the lead single from their debut album, Murmur.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | July 8, 1981 |
| Album | Murmur |
| Writer | Mitch Easter |
| Producer | Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe |
Read Full Lyrics of Radio Free Europe
Verse 1
Beside yourself if radio’s gonna stay
Reason, it could polish up the gray
Put that, put that, put that in your wall
That this isn’t country at all
Pre-Chorus
Raving station
Beside yourself
Verse 2
Keep me out of country in the word
Deal the foreigners into the absurd
Don’t let’s, don’t let’s, don’t let’s call you far
That they’re pushing foreigners too far
Pre-Chorus
Straight off the boat
Where to go?
Chorus
Callin’ on in transit
Callin’ on in transit
Radio Free Europe
Radio
Verse 3
Beside defying media too fast
Instead of pulling, carving up the fault
Push that, push that, push that up your wall
That this isn’t nothing at all
Pre-Chorus
Raving station
Beside yourself
Chorus
Callin’ on in transit
Callin’ on in transit
Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe
Bridge
Beside yourself
Callin’ all, it’s callin’ all
Callin’ all of those
Verse 4
Keep me out of country in the word
Reason, it could follow up absurd
Pre-Chorus
Straight off the boat
Where to go?
Chorus
Callin’ on in transit
Callin’ on in transit
Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe
Outro
Callin’ on in transit
Callin’ on in transit
Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe
Versions of The Song
| Version | Year | Key Features | Availability/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hib-Tone Single | 1981 | Raw, energetic, unintelligible lyrics, indie debut | Reissued on digital/vinyl, Eponymous compilation |
| Murmur Album Version | 1983 | Polished, slower, some lyric changes | On Murmur album, charted in US |
| Mitch Easter 1981 Remix | 1981 | Alternate mix from original sessions | On 2025 benefit EP |
| Jacknife Lee Remix | 2025 | Modern remix, honors original’s spirit | On 2025 benefit EP |
| Live at Larry’s Hideaway | 1983 | Energetic live performance | On Murmur Deluxe Edition |
| Lost/Alternate Early Version | 1981 | Rare, alternate mix by Mitch Easter | Occasionally aired/archived |
Similar Songs Like Radio Free Europe
If you enjoyed the vibe of that song, here are some more tracks from R.E.M. that capture different shades of their unique sound, each with its own voice and feel.
- Begin the Begin: Opening their Lifes Rich Pageant album, this track bursts in with confidence and political overtones, using strong guitars and sharp poetic lyrics.
- Gardening at Night: This early R.E.M. track feels dreamy and mysterious, with soft guitar lines and a nighttime mood that matches the title beautifully.
- Wolves, Lower: It’s a song that explains more abstract themes while still riding the early college rock wave.
Similar Songs Like R.E.M.
The artists below share a similar spirit and musical style to R.E.M., blending alternative rock with thoughtful lyrics, jangly guitars, and an independent approach to music.
- The Replacements
Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock
Top albums: Let It Be (1984), Tim (1985), Pleased to Meet Me (1987), Don’t Tell a Soul (1989) - Hüsker Dü
Genre: Punk Rock / Alternative Rock
Top albums: Zen Arcade (1984), New Day Rising (1985), Flip Your Wig (1985), Candy Apple Grey (1986) - Pixies
Genre: Alternative Rock / Indie Rock
Top albums: Surfer Rosa (1988), Doolittle (1989), Bossanova (1990), Trompe le Monde (1991) - The Smiths
Genre: Indie Rock / Alternative Rock
Top albums: The Smiths (1984), Meat Is Murder (1985), The Queen Is Dead (1986), Strangeways, Here We Come (1987) - Talking Heads
Genre: New Wave / Art Rock
Top albums: Remain in Light (1980), Speaking in Tongues (1983), Fear of Music (1979), Little Creatures (1985)
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Radio Free Europe Chart on Billboard?
Yes, the 1983 re-recorded version was R.E.M.’s first charting single, reaching number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 25 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Who Produced The Original and Re-Recorded Versions?
The original 1981 single was produced by Mitch Easter. The 1983 re-recording was produced by Don Dixon and Mitch Easter.
Has Radio Free Europe been Recognized Historically?
Yes, in 2009, the song was added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry for its significance in shaping indie rock and college radio culture.
