After yesterday’s full-length article on Queen, I’ll leave most of the work today to the artist.
Coming up in a world that already had Queen, another band, queer in its own ways, was carving out their own place in the pantheon of great bands, queer or not. R. E. M. was a punk-spirited, experimental group from Atlanta fronted by bisexual singer-songwriter Michael Stipe. Songs like “Losing My Religion,” “Everybody Hurts,” and “The End of the World As We Know It” helped to cement them as one of the great off-kilter bands of a generation.
R. E. M. officially broke up in 2011 after 30+ years of working together, and in the time since, Stipe has been creating with other collaborators as a featured guest and on solo ventures. Today’s song comes from a partnership with Big Red Machine, made up of Aaron Dessner (of the band The National) and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), co-written with Stipe. It’s an urgent piece of human pleading. Recorded in 2020, the lyrics even shout out lockdown and its effect on our ability to love in the world as we strive to. It is extremely of our time, and it's Michael Stipe’s heart bared nobly in its honest plea for justice and love.
As I listen to it today, I can’t help but think this song will likely make its way into Sunday worship one day, but until that right day comes, I think it’s one you all might like to have in your arsenal. Take strength, comfort, and inspiration today from its simplicity and depth.
Breathe in and out a few times. Release the tensions in your neck, your shoulders, your arms, your chest, your trunk, your hips, your legs, your feet. Agree with your body that it feels good to do this intentionally. Tell it to enjoy the next few minutes.
Now press play.
Thank you, Spirit of Music, for the powerful voices who spread your queer and enfolding love.