Studio Album · No. 3

Fables of the Reconstruction Songwriting Credits by R.E.M.

1985 I.R.S. 11 tracks 39:44

Produced by Joe Boyd  ·  Engineered by Jerry Boys, Tony Harris

I.R.S. Jangle PopFolk RockAlternative Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 11 of 11 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 11 / 11 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 11 tracks with documented writers, by whether R.E.M. carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
11 trackswritten by R.E.M. 0 tracksoutside writers
R.E.M.'s roles on this album

Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

11
Tracks
5
Lyricists
1
Producers
1985
Released
Data Insight

Eleven tracks with the band credit on all of them, and Jeremy Ayers added to "Old Man Kensey". Ayers was an Athens friend, which is how outside names get onto an R.E.M. record when they do.

Fables of the Reconstruction came out on I.R.S. in June 1985, recorded in London during a miserable winter.

Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Feeling Gravitys Pull
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Joe Boyd R.E.M. (Performer)
2
Maps and Legends
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Joe Boyd R.E.M. (Performer)
3
Driver 8
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Joe Boyd R.E.M. (Performer)
4
Life and How to Live It
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Joe Boyd R.E.M. (Performer)
5
Old Man Kensey
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael StipeJeremy Ayers William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael StipeJeremy Ayers Joe Boyd R.E.M. (Performer)
6
Cant Get There from Here
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Joe Boyd R.E.M. (Performer)
7
Green Grow the Rushes
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Joe Boyd R.E.M. (Performer)
8
Kohoutek
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Joe Boyd R.E.M. (Performer)
9
Auctioneer (Another Engine)
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Joe Boyd R.E.M. (Performer)
10
Good Advices
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Joe Boyd R.E.M. (Performer)
11
Wendell Gee
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Joe Boyd R.E.M. (Performer)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 11 contributors

BB
Bill Berry
Writer
On this album11 written
JM
John Michael Stipe
Writer
On this album11 written
ME
Michael Edward Mills
Writer
On this album11 written
MS
Michael Stipe
Writer
On this album11 written
MM
Mike Mills
Writer
On this album11 written
PB
Peter Buck
Writer
On this album11 written
PL
Peter Lawrence Buck
Writer
On this album11 written
WT
William Thomas Berry
Writer
On this album11 written
JA
Jeremy Ayers
Writer
On this album1 written
JB
Joe Boyd
Producer
On this album11 produced
R
R.E.M.
Performer
On this albumGuest

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Frequently Asked Questions Fables of the Reconstruction

Who wrote Fables of the Reconstruction?
Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe on all eleven tracks, with Jeremy Ayers sharing "Old Man Kensey".
Did any single chart in the Hot 100?
No. "Can't Get There from Here" reached the Bubbling Under chart but missed the Hot 100.
How did it sell?
The discography publishes certifications rather than a sales figure for it.
Who engineered it?
Jerry Boys and Tony Harris.
Who produced it?
Joe Boyd.
Why do people call it the difficult one?
The band recorded it in London away from home and nearly broke up during the sessions.
How long is the album?
39:44 across eleven tracks.

Sources

Wikipedia: Fables of the Reconstruction Wikipedia: R.E.M. discography Wikipedia: R.E.M. Cover Art Archive: Fables of the Reconstruction by R.E.M.