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Saturday Night Classics: ‘Nightswimming’ by R.E.M.

Andrew Troutman
@Dotorimuk
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With a little assistance from a string arrangement by Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones.

Here’s a song from the 1993 album “Automatic for the People” reflecting on those moments that separate carefree youth from adult responsibility. The kinds of memories you revisit when you meet up with old friends. You can’t go back, and you can’t even recapture the magic of those days. And who’s to say that it’s all as great as it looks in the rearview mirror? I never did any night swimming in my youth, yet every time I hear this song, I feel like I did. And danged if I don’t lump-in-throat miss it.

There’s a bittersweet undercurrent to the song too. I think lyricist Michael Stipe was also reflecting on R.E.M., who were once the underdogs but by 1993 were world beaters. Life had changed for them. It was a lot more comfortable but maybe less fun. They had become a corporation, even while still producing great music. There’s probably something about the scrappy days of the past grind that made Stipe a little misty-eyed as R.E.M. went from being the private favorite band of a small cult following to superstars. I saw it happen. They were the soundtrack of my life, moving from the days of something analogous to night swimming to the days of trying to keep my head above water. Met them twice as they ascended the throne. Nice guys, one and all.

“These things they go away, replaced by everyday.”

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Discussion (12)

  • Chris O@ChrisO

    R.E.M. still had cult status in my skateboarding days, particularly as their popular song "It's the End of the World (As We Know It)" featured a kid pulling a few skateboard moves. By the time I got to college, I think everyone had their album Out of Time though it was second fiddle to a competing album: U2's Achtung Baby.

    Automatic for the People was a mellow respite as the band seemed to experiment with expanded ideas. "Nightswimming" is a highlight, though you're more likely familiar with "Everybody Hurts" and "Man on the Moon."

    It was a weird time, I think many fans were waiting to see who would emerge as the ascendant band between R.E.M. and U2. They were really (in our eyes) carrying the torch for music against so many others who were record label-manufactured. No small surprise there was a strong turn toward a heavy guitar-laden style emerging from the northwest US because there was a high demand for intention, integrity, and authenticity.

    All the while R.E.M. went through some interesting phases and at every stop offered us good material. I jumped on board with Document which among R.E.M. fans makes me something of a poseur. In my defense, I was only 14. It's fun to grow with a band and "Nightswimming" is a darn good track from a reflective time.

  • kedavis@kedavis

    Thinking about it some, it seems to me that maybe my "reminiscing" band was Firefall, such as "Cinderella" and "You Are The Woman" from their first album, and "Just Remember I Love You" from the album "Luna Sea." Although, as with the OP's reference to night swimming, I hadn't really done those things myself either.

    Musically I was more interested in material like Blondie, but I don't remember anything of theirs seeming as personally relevant, somehow.

  • Andrew Troutman@Dotorimuk
    Replyingtokedavis

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Thinking about it some, it seems to me that maybe my “reminiscing” band was Firefall, such as “Cinderella” and “You Are The Woman” from their first album, and “Just Remember I Love You” from the album “Luna Sea.” Although, as with the OP’s reference to night swimming, I hadn’t really done those things myself either.

    Musically I was more interested in material like Blondie, but I don’t remember anything of theirs seeming as personally relevant, somehow.

    They all hit different areas of the heart/brain/soul, don't they?

  • Macho Grande'@ChrisCampion
    ReplyingtoChris O

    Chris O (View Comment):

    R.E.M. still had cult status in my skateboarding days, particularly as their popular song “It’s the End of the World (As We Know It)” featured a kid pulling a few skateboard moves. By the time I got to college, I think everyone had their album Out of Time though it was second fiddle to a competing album: U2’s Achtung Baby.

    Automatic for the People was a mellow respite as the band seemed to experiment with expanded ideas. “Nightswimming” is a highlight, though you’re more likely familiar with “Everybody Hurts” and “Man on the Moon.”

    It was a weird time, I think many fans were waiting to see who would emerge as the ascendant band between R.E.M. and U2. They were really (in our eyes) carrying the torch for music against so many others who were record label-manufactured. No small surprise there was a strong turn toward a heavy guitar-laden style emerging from the northwest US because there was a high demand for intention, integrity, and authenticity.

    All the while R.E.M. went through some interesting phases and at every stop offered us good material. I jumped on board with Document which among R.E.M. fans makes me something of a poseur. In my defense, I was only 14. It’s fun to grow with a band and “Nightswimming” is a darn good track from a reflective time.

    That sort of peak REM, that time period, and not in the commercial sense. Had a few buddies in college at the time, call it 1989/1990, that liked these guys, but they were off my radar. Took a few years for me to catch up, but can't say I was ever a big fan.

    The nostalgia piece in this song is strong, though. They could really pull hard on you in some of their songs, if you listened closely to the lyrics, the melody. Sad. Rough.

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