THE YEAR IS 1991!
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The title is a variation on the Southern expression “lost my religion,” meaning something has challenged your faith to such a degree you might lose your religion. The song has nothing to do with religion, but the title is significant: If you are “losing your religion” over a person, you are losing faith in that person and questioning the relationship.
- R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe wrote the lyrics, which he has said are about “obsession” and “unrequited love,” which is powerful and dangerous combination. Throughout the song, he is baring his soul, searching for hidden meaning and hopeful signs, but driving himself mad in the process.
- R.E.M. was surprised when their record label chose “Losing My Religion” as the first single from their seventh album, Out Of Time. Running 4:28 with no chorus and a mandolin for a lead instrument, it didn’t seem like hit material, but it ended up being the biggest hit of their career.
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This won the Grammy in 1991 for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
- Stipe said he was so heated from not being able to sing the vocals the way he wanted, that he did multiple tales and began overheating. He said by the time they recorded the vocals they used on the song, he was recording nearly naked in the studio.
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