Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In 1991, R.E.M. released an album that would completely change their career. After years of being one of the most respected bands in college rock, they suddenly became one of the biggest bands in the world. That album was Out of Time.
But the story behind the record’s biggest hit is almost unbelievable.
What started as a simple mandolin practice session by guitarist Peter Buck while watching a baseball game accidentally created one of the most recognizable riffs of the 1990s. That riff eventually became Losing My Religion, a song that nearly didn’t get released as a single because the record label thought it was too strange for radio.
With its haunting mandolin melody, deeply personal lyrics from Michael Stipe, and a groundbreaking music video directed by Tarsem Singh, the song went on to become a global phenomenon. It pushed Out of Time to the top of the charts, earned multiple Grammy Awards, and transformed R.E.M. from cult favorites into international superstars.
In this video, we explore the untold story behind Out of Time—from the band’s creative burnout after Green, to the unusual recording process, the collaboration with KRS-One and Kate Pierson, and how an unconventional song with no traditional chorus became one of the biggest hits of the decade.
Sometimes the biggest songs in history don’t come from careful planning—they happen by accident.
If you enjoy deep dives into classic albums, rock history, and the stories behind legendary songs, make sure to subscribe to J.C. Rock and Metal Reviews for more content like this.
Hashtags
#REM, #OutOfTime, #LosingMyReligion, #RockHistory, #MusicDocumentary, #ClassicRock, #90sMusic, #AlternativeRock, #MusicHistory, #AlbumReview, #BehindTheMusic, #RockDocumentary
Hey everyone! I just released my new e-book called How to Start a YouTube Channel for Introverts. It’s a quick and easy 42-page read where I share the full story behind my channel, JC Rock and Metal Reviews—how I got started, the struggles I faced, and the lessons I learned along the way.
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Please consider becoming a member of this channel. The first tier is 0.99 and this gives you early access to my videos as I always post them as members first before going public. Sometimes I post up to a week in advance. The second tier is 2.99 and this one gives you early access plus the benefit of making video requests. You can request album reviews or any other video provided it is within the scope of this channel’s content.
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Check out the new Merch Store:
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**FAIR USE**
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
In 1991, R.E.M. released an album that would completely change their career. After years of being one of the most respected bands in college rock, they suddenly became one of the biggest bands in the world. That album was Out of Time.
But the story behind the record’s biggest hit is almost unbelievable.
What started as a simple mandolin practice session by guitarist Peter Buck while watching a baseball game accidentally created one of the most recognizable riffs of the 1990s. That riff eventually became Losing My Religion, a song that nearly didn’t get released as a single because the record label thought it was too strange for radio.
With its haunting mandolin melody, deeply personal lyrics from Michael Stipe, and a groundbreaking music video directed by Tarsem Singh, the song went on to become a global phenomenon. It pushed Out of Time to the top of the charts, earned multiple Grammy Awards, and transformed R.E.M. from cult favorites into international superstars.
In this video, we explore the untold story behind Out of Time—from the band’s creative burnout after Green, to the unusual recording process, the collaboration with KRS-One and Kate Pierson, and how an unconventional song with no traditional chorus became one of the biggest hits of the decade.
Sometimes the biggest songs in history don’t come from careful planning—they happen by accident.
If you enjoy deep dives into classic albums, rock history, and the stories behind legendary songs, make sure to subscribe to J.C. Rock and Metal Reviews for more content like this.
Hashtags
#REM, #OutOfTime, #LosingMyReligion, #RockHistory, #MusicDocumentary, #ClassicRock, #90sMusic, #AlternativeRock, #MusicHistory, #AlbumReview, #BehindTheMusic, #RockDocumentary
Hey everyone! I just released my new e-book called How to Start a YouTube Channel for Introverts. It’s a quick and easy 42-page read where I share the full story behind my channel, JC Rock and Metal Reviews—how I got started, the struggles I faced, and the lessons I learned along the way.
jc-rock-and-metal-reviews-shop.fourthwall.com/products/how-to-start-a-youtube-channel-as-an-introvert-e-book
Please consider becoming a member of this channel. The first tier is 0.99 and this gives you early access to my videos as I always post them as members first before going public. Sometimes I post up to a week in advance. The second tier is 2.99 and this one gives you early access plus the benefit of making video requests. You can request album reviews or any other video provided it is within the scope of this channel’s content.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCRPx4Iygm4SnMn4D7Getgtg/join
If you want to help support the channel. I have merch, including t-shirts, coffee mugs and stickers.
Check out the new Merch Store:
jc-rock-and-metal-reviews-shop.fourthwall.com/?source=dashboard
FACEBOOK:
facebook.com/JCrockandmetalreviews
TikTok:
vm.tiktok.com/ZMNNq83XD
CONTACT INFORMATION
jpc522@yahoo.com
**FAIR USE**
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
