1992Released
4:09

Did You Know?

Interesting facts and trivia about The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite. By Songfacts®.

The beginning of this song bears a strong resemblance to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by The Tokens in both its title and music, especially the first four notes Michael Stipe sings. Rather than follow industry practice and simply pilfer the song, R.E.M. paid for the rights to use it. As part of the deal, R.E.M. were asked to do a cover of the original "Lion Sleeps Tonight." That version appears on the single to "Sidewinder," released in February 1993.

In the chorus, what sounds like "coney jah waker," is actually, "call me when you try to wake her up."

When trying to name-check Dr. Seuss in this song, lead singer Michael Stipe kept saying "Zeus." The laughing that can be heard on the track is Stipe laughing at his own inability to pronounce that correctly, which Mike Mills kept trying to get him to do. Stipe says he loved Dr. Seuss as a kid but always pronounced his name the wrong way.

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Song Analysis

Key, BPM (tempo) and time signature of The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite.
AKey
MinorMode
4/4Time Signature
123BPM

Album

The album The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite is released on.

Released By

The record label that has released The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite.
Concord Records
© 1992 R.E.M./Athens L.L.C. Under exclusive license to Concord Music Group, Inc., under exclusive license to Concord Music Group, Inc.
℗ 1992 R.E.M./Athens L.L.C. Under exclusive license to Concord Music Group, Inc., under exclusive license to Concord Music Group, Inc.

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