Song of the Day 8/29: R.E.M., “Nightswimming”

This tune, initially recorded during sessions for the band’s breakthrough “Out of Time” album, saw release on the band’s 1992 “Automatic for the People” LP. Most REM songs started with the music, but Michael Stipe wrote these lyrics first and then asked guitarist Peter Buck and bassist Mike Mills if they had anything that would go with them. Buck’s offerings were rejected (and later turned into other songs), so Mills played him a piano piece that he didn’t think it was usable because of its circular nature and lack of resolution. Buck recalls that Stipe began singing as Mills played, and the song was born. The use of an oboe and the string arrangement by John Paul Jones add to the nostalgic, summer’s-over mood. Stipe said the song is “mostly made-up,” but Mills and guitarist Peter Buck both have said it was based partly on wee-hours trips to a swimming hole after gigs.

Ingrid Michaelson does an interesting a cappella version based on vocal loops.