THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

710-R.E.M.-It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine.)

1987-It did not chart until it was re-released in 1991, when reaching Number 39.

Best Bit-At 2.25.Because of the corona virus pandemic in March 2020, the song received an increase in downloads, and streaming, alongside other apocalypse, and sickness themed songs.Online downloads increased by 184 per cent, and streams rose by 48 per cent.

R.E.M. were formed in 1980, in Athens, Georgia, United States, by Michael Stipe (vocals,) Peter Buck (guitar,) Bill Berry (drums,) and Mike Mills (bass.) Berry left the band in 1997, and the other three continued until retiring the group in 2011. R.E.M. are considered pivotal in the development of ‘Alternative Rock,’ offering something different at the time when ‘Post Punk,’ and ‘New Wave’ was at it’s peak, R.E.M. were an inspiration for acts such as Nirvana, and Sonic Youth, and other ‘Alternative Rock’ bands of the following generations.

‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine’) is taken from the bands fifth studio Album ‘Document,’ released in 1987, it is heavily influenced by Bob Dylan’s 1965 song ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues,’ (see also best songs 792) and although he has never admitted it (as far as I know,) Billy Joel probably got his inspiration for his 1989 song ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire,’ (see also best songs 810) after hearing this.Michael Stipe has said of the songs lyrics,’The words come from everywhere, I’m extremely aware of everything around me, whether I am in a sleeping state, awake,dream state, or just in day to day life, so that ended up in the song along with a lot of stuff I’d seen when I was flipping TV channels.It’s a collection of streams of consciousness.’

‘That’s great,it starts with an earthquake. Birds and snakes, and aeroplanes, and Lenny Bruce is not afraid.’