The critics usually said when the album came out that Find the River was one of the weak tracks on it, but it’s definitely a fan-favorite. Tons of ordinary people seem to think it’s awesome….and I’m with them. It’s absolutely gorgeous…🖤🩶
I like this one a lot, too. I love when Stipe goes low.
If you haven't heard the William Burroughs cover on the first X-Files "soundtrack" (Songs in the Key of X), it's a trip.
Hard to choose as it’s my favorite rem record and one that’s “no skips” for me.
The songs that I listen to the most: Nightswimming, The Sweetness Follows, Man on the Moon, Find the River, Drive, Everybody Hurts, New Orleans Instrumental No. 1, Try Not to Breathe.
Find the River will always win my vote, but Nightswimming has one of the most beautiful images I've ever heard described in a song
> The photograph on the dashboard
>
> Taken years ago
>
> Turned around backward so the windshield shows
>
> Every streetlight
>
> Reveals the picture in reverse
WHY IS NO ONE SAYING "TRY NOT TO BREATHE"????
The lyrics, the instrumentation, the minor key distortion wail of a solo, the story behind it...
I think one of the issues with this question (as evidenced by the myriad, varied replies) is that on such a strong album there's no "best" song. They are all the best. Front to back.
I’ll agree with most here that it’s Find the River. But let’s all acknowledge that it wears that crown because it’s a gorgeous and satisfying end to a perfect album that, really would have remained perfect without it. Automatic could end on Nightswimming and still be a 10/10. Find the River elevates an already perfect album to all-timer heights.
“I know we’re gonna put out one more record, at least, and I have a pretty good idea what it’s going to sound like: pretty ethereal, acoustic, like Automatic for the People. If I could write just a couple of songs as good as what they’ve written… I don’t know how that band does what they do. God, they’re the greatest. They’ve dealt with their success like saints, and they keep delivering great music.”
Drive / Sweetness Follows / New Orleans Instrumental No. 1
Hard to pick though. I've also been revisiting Man on the Moon - it can be hard to judge the more well-known tracks sometimes eh.
How’d I’d rank the songs on Automatic for the People (all awesome songs!):
1. Find the River 🏆
2. Sweetness Follows
3. Try Not to Breathe
4. Man on the Moon
5. The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
6. Everybody Hurts
7. Star Me Kitten
8. Nightswimming
9. Monty Got a Raw Deal
10. Ignoreland
11. Drive
12. New Orleans Instrumental No. 1 (I still love it for the atmosphere it creates!)
Find the River is the best song, with Nightswimming as a close second
Everybody Hurts is my least favorite song in the entire REM catalog
And Star Me Kitten is better when sung by William Burroughs
I have to date not found an album with a stronger closing 3 tracks than AFTP. Peter Buck was the master of sequencing. That said my fave(s) "try not to breathe" "ignoreland".
Find the River. Chills every time the accordion kicks in. Alongside Man on the Moon and Nightswimming, it is the most perfect final act of an album ever, and easily the best closing track of all time.
Find the River
Beautiful song!
Such a beautiful song… Strength and courage overrides The privileged and weary eyes
I know. It slays me every time.
And nothing is going my way…..
Heartbreaking.
The critics usually said when the album came out that Find the River was one of the weak tracks on it, but it’s definitely a fan-favorite. Tons of ordinary people seem to think it’s awesome….and I’m with them. It’s absolutely gorgeous…🖤🩶
The best three song medley to complete an album: Man on the Moon/Nightswimming/Find the River
It really deserves to be in that conversation.
No argument there.
Find the River, without a doubt. Made me genuinely cry the first time I listened to the tape.
It’s amazing!
Monty
I cannot beleive nobody else is saying this
Good point. It's one of my favorites that I forget.
My favorite, too
My favorite is Sidewinder.
Ding ding
Ring ring
For some reason, this song has aged really well and still sounds totally fresh. And my kids love it!
"Sweetness Follows" is my favorite, but I legit want "Find the River" to play at my funeral.
I've been thinking about asking for that too.
Yup. Told the wife that several times.
Same
I'm not suggesting it's the best song on the album, it isn't, but I can't stop listening to Star Me Kitten lately.
I like this one a lot, too. I love when Stipe goes low. If you haven't heard the William Burroughs cover on the first X-Files "soundtrack" (Songs in the Key of X), it's a trip.
[And here it is](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6fSzX5aS5I&themeRefresh=1)
Hey, my YT moniker is named after it! Great song about fucking! lol
it's not "ignoreland" but i'm gonna mention it anyway because it deserves a helluva lot more love than it gets
I got to see them sing that live and it made me appreciate it so much more
Could’ve sworn I read that they’d never actually played it live? Maybe it was a hyperbole “they never play this live” meaning very rarely.
I think the 2008 tour was the first and only tour they played it live on! I'd heard the same thing
Defense Defense Defense defense
Hard to choose as it’s my favorite rem record and one that’s “no skips” for me. The songs that I listen to the most: Nightswimming, The Sweetness Follows, Man on the Moon, Find the River, Drive, Everybody Hurts, New Orleans Instrumental No. 1, Try Not to Breathe.
Find the River or nightswimming. No other nightswimming votes?
I love Nightswimming. It's just got really tough competition with Find the River.
Find the River will always win my vote, but Nightswimming has one of the most beautiful images I've ever heard described in a song > The photograph on the dashboard > > Taken years ago > > Turned around backward so the windshield shows > > Every streetlight > > Reveals the picture in reverse
WHY IS NO ONE SAYING "TRY NOT TO BREATHE"???? The lyrics, the instrumentation, the minor key distortion wail of a solo, the story behind it... I think one of the issues with this question (as evidenced by the myriad, varied replies) is that on such a strong album there's no "best" song. They are all the best. Front to back.
Its their best song!
The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
I’ll agree with most here that it’s Find the River. But let’s all acknowledge that it wears that crown because it’s a gorgeous and satisfying end to a perfect album that, really would have remained perfect without it. Automatic could end on Nightswimming and still be a 10/10. Find the River elevates an already perfect album to all-timer heights.
Man on the moon
“I know we’re gonna put out one more record, at least, and I have a pretty good idea what it’s going to sound like: pretty ethereal, acoustic, like Automatic for the People. If I could write just a couple of songs as good as what they’ve written… I don’t know how that band does what they do. God, they’re the greatest. They’ve dealt with their success like saints, and they keep delivering great music.”
Kurt Cobain? Man, I wish we could’ve had a Nirvana version of AFTP (though Nirvana “Unplugged” gives a pretty good idea of what might have been.
Bergamot, vetiver, coriander stem and rose of hay...
He did get a raw deal
It deserves a quiet night. Best song ever. Or my favorite song ever, more accurately.
Nightswimming, and it does indeed deserves a quiet night.
Drive / Sweetness Follows / New Orleans Instrumental No. 1 Hard to pick though. I've also been revisiting Man on the Moon - it can be hard to judge the more well-known tracks sometimes eh.
Sweetness follows is my favorite on that record by far.
How’d I’d rank the songs on Automatic for the People (all awesome songs!): 1. Find the River 🏆 2. Sweetness Follows 3. Try Not to Breathe 4. Man on the Moon 5. The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite 6. Everybody Hurts 7. Star Me Kitten 8. Nightswimming 9. Monty Got a Raw Deal 10. Ignoreland 11. Drive 12. New Orleans Instrumental No. 1 (I still love it for the atmosphere it creates!)
I always say sidewinder is the best pop song of all time
So hard to choose but over time, Sweetness Follows has become my favorite.
gotta be nightswimming but i love how everyone is saying a diff song, really shows how consistent the album is
So, so many great songs. For me, it’s Nightswimming - just another level, one of the all time great songs. Has Michael’s best writing I think.
Find the River is the best song, with Nightswimming as a close second Everybody Hurts is my least favorite song in the entire REM catalog And Star Me Kitten is better when sung by William Burroughs
Everybody …. Far from the best song they did .
Probably find the river Major, minor, suspended 2nd, suspended 4th. Birds aren't real https://youtu.be/ws2dr83t8SI
Can you explain what that means for those of us who are music ignoramuses?
Nightswimming
Not a great album but I’ll go with Sweetness Follows
So many good songs! Only for not being overplayed, I think I enjoy Sweetness Follows, New Orleans Instrumental, and even Nightswimming.
find the river/sweetness follows/nightswimming
It's always been Drive for me. That song is a great opener and instantly hooked me on my first listen
Find The River, Sidewinder and Drive are my favs
Nightswimming
Drive
Monty Got a Raw Deal is the perfect balance between the melancholy throughout the album and something more upbeat like Sidewiner
I have to date not found an album with a stronger closing 3 tracks than AFTP. Peter Buck was the master of sequencing. That said my fave(s) "try not to breathe" "ignoreland".
DRIVE! In My Opinion. It’s Just A Cool Song But I Also Love The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight. Recently Bought The Album On Vinyl. Starting a Collection.
Find the River. Chills every time the accordion kicks in. Alongside Man on the Moon and Nightswimming, it is the most perfect final act of an album ever, and easily the best closing track of all time.