"Losing My Religion" by R.E.M.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 90s: It was early 1991 and guitarist Peter Buck had just acquired a mandolin. Teaching himself how to play it, one night he started experimenting with minor chord progressions. What ensued became his Athens, Georgia-based alt rock band's biggest U.S. hit which also gained worldwide acclaim. The title is derived from a Southern expression of frustration and desperation. Per lead-singer Michael Stipe, "romantic expression and unrequited love". #1 Billboard Hot 100, Certified Platinum. The allegorical video includes references to Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Caravaggio, among many others. Both the song and the video won multiple accolades at the 1992 Grammys. It lost the Song of the Year Grammy to "Unforgettable" by the virtual duo of Nat "King" Cole and his daughter Natalie - no shame in that. Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2017 and it ranks #112 among Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It marks the group's return to mainstream pop and their "trademark jangle". Group? Song? Answer: "Losing My Religion" by R.E.M. One of those music videos that blew me away the first time I watched it. Caravaggio single-handedly created the chiaroscuro style, later perfected by Rembrandt. Their influence permeates the entire video. Peter Buck, Tom Petty, Les Fradkin, Phil Solem and Johnny Marr (as well as yours truly!) are all avid Roger McGuinn admirers and their distinct Rickenbacker 12-string jingle-jangle sound shows it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwtdhWltSIg

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