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In the linear notes of ‘In Time: The Best of R.E.M.’ (2003) guitarist Peter Buck says that this is the only R.E.M. song where the lyrics came before the music. Lead singer Michael Stipe told Buck & bassist/ keyboardist Mike Mills he had written a full set of lyrics & maybe they could find some suitable music. When the band returned to the studio, Mills played a piece on the piano which fit Stipe’s lyrics perfectly.
The song is supposedly about swimming naked at night (or ‘skinny dipping’) but many have their own interpretations.
Video
Added by ladyleide
R.E.M. plays "Nightswimming". Live on Jools Holland.
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Lyrics
Nightswimming deserves a quiet night.
The photograph on the dashboard, taken years ago,
turned around backwards so the windshield shows.
Read full lyrics…
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Shouts
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RPGHeroine wrote:
My favourite song by R.E.M
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pessimystica wrote:
i love the oboe solo too... i played oboe when this song came out & i was always playing along with it :) now i play the flute all the time... but i miss oboe!
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Dema91 wrote:
this song is simply amazing... I love it!
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pilgrimage145 wrote:
A masterpiece. Quite a bit more, no less.
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RobertFrobisher wrote:
....maybe the mother of all songs....
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[deleted-user]
wrote:
Beautiful song.
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bickerdyke wrote:
Missed this song during their concert in Stuttgart on tuesday.
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dominic_john wrote:
just amazing when i saw them play this in perugia.
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SaturnineSOUL wrote:
most beautiful song of this world (and probably every other one).
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sancla wrote:
the live version yesterday night was simply amazing!
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metalHnT7776 wrote:
everyperson can find something in this song...simply perfection.
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[deleted-user]
wrote:
best song ever??? certainly one of...
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carlabelle wrote:
Supposedly the only R.E.M. song where the lyrics came before the music. It's a beauty. Thank you Berry, Buck, Mills, & Stipe.
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cloudy_skies wrote:
I love this song. Probably my favorite R.E.M. song ever.
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scarboro wrote:
I agree nevermind, would have been a good way to close AFTP!
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lavacadicemoo wrote:
I love the oboe solo.
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futurepastimes wrote:
One of the very best by an awesome band.
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keylimepie9 wrote:
No offense to the Wrens, but why mess with such a perfect original? An absolutely beautiful song, musically and lyrically. Michael's vocals are so touching. By far one of my most favorite REM songs.
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pgorosit wrote:
I love this song of REM, great Mike!!!!!!!!
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Interkulturell wrote:
I like Stipe´s voice, but not every song of R.E.M.
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Recent Activity
- GucciPiggy90 and PegasusKukl loved R.E.M. – Nightswimming. 6 hours ago
- donmulligan added Nightswimming to donmulligan’s library. 12 hours ago
- guiziec loved Nightswimming. yesterday afternoon
- yshachaf added Nightswimming to yshachaf’s library. yesterday afternoon
- RPGHeroine loved Nightswimming. yesterday morning
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- lauritawende and RPGHeroine added R.E.M. – Nightswimming to their libraries. yesterday morning
- mulchcrow added Nightswimming to the playlist mulchcrow’s playlist. Wednesday evening
- shakeymike, dubsnevets, Tatoru and 1 other person loved R.E.M. – Nightswimming. Wednesday morning
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