R.E.M. (song) explained

R.E.M
Type:song
Artist:Ariana Grande
Album:Sweetener
Released:August 17, 2018
Studio:
  • Midnight Blue (Miami)
  • Conway (Hollywood)
Genre:R&B
Length:4:06
Label:Republic
Producer:Pharrell Williams

"R.E.M" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande from her fourth studio album Sweetener, released in 2018. It was written by Grande and Pharrell Williams, production being handled by the latter. The song title inspired the name for Grande's makeup brand, R.E.M. Beauty.[1]

Background and composition

"R.E.M" is a R&B song containing a doo-wop beat.[2] It runs for a duration of four minutes and six seconds.[3] The song "Dream" was originally recorded as a demo by T-Pain on March 12, 2011, and ran for a duration of four minutes and 27 seconds.[4] It was then passed onto Beyoncé and recorded under the title "Wake Up" in 2013.[5] [6] Grande kept the chorus, but changed the song's lyrics.[7] She previewed "R.E.M" prior to the release of Sweetener.[8] [9] [10]

The song's title refers to rapid eye movement sleep, and is about "a relationship that blurs between the dreamworld and reality". Grande has said "R.E.M" is about "dreaming someone into your life", and is one of her favorite tracks on Sweetener.[11] Grande's vocals span 2 octaves, from Eb3 to Eb5.[12]

Reception

"R.E.M" received mixed reception from music critics. In 2018, Complex Mallorie List ranked "R.E.M" number two on her list of "The Best Ariana Grande Songs".[13] Christopher Rosa of Glamour called the song's lyrics "a tad generic".[14] Out Dennis Hinzmann said the track "feels like a throwback and a fresh pick all at the same time".[15]

Live performances

Grande first premiered a 20-second snippet of the song on Elle magazine's Youtube channel, during their game "Song Association" on July 12, 2018.[16] Grande also performed a snippet of the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on August 16, 2018. The song was officially debuted live on August 20, 2018 at The Sweetener Sessions.

She also performed the song live on BBC Radio 1 in September 2018,[17] and on the one-hour special, Ariana Grande at the BBC, which was recorded on September 7, 2018, and aired on November 1.[18]

This song was included on the set list of Grande's Sweetener World Tour.[19]

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel adapted from the liner notes of Sweetener.[20]

Recording and management

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2018)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[21] 52
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[22] 68
Hungary (Single Top 40)[23] 35
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[24] 100
Portugal (AFP)[25] 67
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[26] 16
US Billboard Hot 100[27] 72

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-11-08 . Ariana Grande on Her New Makeup Line R.e.m. Beauty, From Her Favorite Product to Her Space-Age Inspirations . 2022-06-14 . Vogue . en-US.
  2. News: Ariana Grande: Sweetener Review. 2018-08-21. Pitchfork Media. 2018-11-19. en-US.
  3. News: Sweetener by Ariana Grande on Apple Music – iTunes. 2018-08-17. Apple Music. 2018-11-19. en-US.
  4. Web site: T-Pain on TikTok .
  5. News: Hear Beyonce's Version of Ariana Grande's New Song 'R.E.M.'. 2018-08-17. Us Weekly. 2018-11-12. en-US.
  6. News: Ariana Grande's "REM" is a flip of a leaked Beyoncé song. The FADER. 2018-11-12. en.
  7. News: 6 Best New Songs of the Week: Ariana Grande, Mitski, Soccer Mommy. Editors. Vulture. Vulture. 2018-11-12. en.
  8. Ariana Grande Teases New Song 'r.e.m.', Covers Justin Bieber, Whitney Houston & More: Watch. Billboard. 2018-11-12.
  9. News: Exclusive: Ariana Grande Sings New 'Sweetener' Song in ELLE's Song Association. 2018-07-12. ELLE. 2018-11-12. en-US.
  10. Ariana Grande Teases New Song 'R.E.M.' Billboard News. Billboard. 2018-11-12.
  11. News: Ariana Grande's Sweetener: The stories behind the songs. Youngs. Ian. 2018-08-17. BBC News. 2018-11-12. Rumble. Taylor-Dior. en-GB.
  12. Web site: Ariana. Grande. Pharrell. Williams. Ariana. Grande. 2019-01-14. R.E.M.. 2021-10-02. Musicnotes.com.
  13. Web site: The Best Ariana Grande Songs. Complex. en. 2018-11-12.
  14. News: All the Lyrics on Ariana Grande's New Album That Are (Probably) About Pete Davidson. Rosa. Christopher. Glamour. 2018-11-12. en.
  15. News: Track-by-Track Review: Ariana Grande's 'Sweetener' Does Not Disappoint. 2018-08-17. 2018-11-12. en.
  16. Web site: Magazine . Elle . Ariana Grande Premieres a New Song from Sweetener in a Game of Song Association . Youtube . Elle . 24 September 2019.
  17. News: Ariana Grande Performs "R.E.M." and "Them Changes" on BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. 2018-11-19. ja.
  18. News: Ariana Grande performs Sweetener songs for BBC TV special: Watch. 2018-11-02. Consequence of Sound. 2018-11-19. en-US.
  19. Web site: Ariana Grande kicks off "Sweetener Tour": Setlist + Video. 2019-03-19. Consequence of Sound. en-US. 2019-09-30.
  20. Sweetener. Sweetener (album). Ariana Grande. CD. 2. Republic Records. B0028815-02.
  21. Web site: ARIA Chart Watch #487. auspOp. 25 August 2018. 25 August 2018.
  22. Ariana Grande Chart History (Canadian Hot 100). Billboard. 2018-11-16.
  23. Web site: Single (track) Top 40 lista – Hivatalos magyar slágerlisták. lightmedia.hu. zene.slagerlistak.hu. 2018-11-16.
  24. Web site: Ariana Grande – R.E.M.. 2014-08-24. 2018-11-16.
  25. Web site: Portuguese Charts – Discography Ariana Grande. Hung. Steffen. portuguesecharts.com. 2018-11-16.
  26. Web site: www.sverigetopplistan.se – Veckolista Heatseeker – Vecka 34, 24 augusti 2018. www.sverigetopplistan.se. 2018-11-16.
  27. Ariana Grande Chart History. Billboard. 2018-11-16.

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