Can't Get There From Here

This was the first single off the album. It didn't chart, but the album was the first by R.E.M. to chart in the UK.

This was influenced by Soul records R.E.M. listened to. The band approached the song as a "tongue-in-cheek tribute" because they were a bunch of white guys trying, but failing, to emulate their black Soul idols. Instead, they wound up with their own unique sound.

Lead singer Michael Stipe refers in the lyrics to "Brother Ray." This is most likely pianist Ray Charles.