Studio Album · No. 1

Murmur Songwriting Credits by R.E.M.

1983 I.R.S. 12 tracks 44:11

Produced by Don Dixon, Mitch Easter  ·  Engineered by Greg Calbi, Don Dixon, Mitch Easter

I.R.S. Jangle PopAlternative Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 12 of 12 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 12 / 12 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether R.E.M. carries a lyricist or composer credit.

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

Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

12
Tracks
5
Lyricists
2
Producers
1983
Released
Data Insight

Twelve tracks, one credit, four names. The only other person on the record is Neil Bogan, who supplied extra lyrics for the closing song.

Murmur came out on I.R.S. in April 1983, recorded in North Carolina with two producers who had never made an album before.

Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Radio Free Europe #78
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Don DixonMitch Easter R.E.M. (Performer)
2
Pilgrimage
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Don DixonMitch Easter R.E.M. (Performer)
3
Laughing
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Don DixonMitch Easter R.E.M. (Performer)
4
Talk About the Passion
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Don DixonMitch Easter R.E.M. (Performer)
5
Moral Kiosk
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Don DixonMitch Easter R.E.M. (Performer)
6
Perfect Circle
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Don DixonMitch Easter R.E.M. (Performer)
7
Catapult
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Don DixonMitch Easter R.E.M. (Performer)
8
Sitting Still
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Don DixonMitch Easter R.E.M. (Performer)
9
9-9
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Don DixonMitch Easter R.E.M. (Performer)
10
Shaking Through
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Don DixonMitch Easter R.E.M. (Performer)
11
We Walk
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael Stipe William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael Stipe Don DixonMitch Easter R.E.M. (Performer)
12
West of the Fields
Bill BerryPeter BuckMike MillsMichael StipeNeil Bogan William Thomas BerryPeter Lawrence BuckMichael Edward MillsJohn Michael StipeNeil Bogan Don DixonMitch Easter R.E.M. (Performer)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 12 contributors

BB
Bill Berry
Writer
On this album12 written
JM
John Michael Stipe
Writer
On this album12 written
ME
Michael Edward Mills
Writer
On this album12 written
MS
Michael Stipe
Writer
On this album12 written
MM
Mike Mills
Writer
On this album12 written
PB
Peter Buck
Writer
On this album12 written
PL
Peter Lawrence Buck
Writer
On this album12 written
WT
William Thomas Berry
Writer
On this album12 written
NB
Neil Bogan
Writer
On this album1 written
DD
Don Dixon
Producer
On this album12 produced
ME
Mitch Easter
Producer
On this album12 produced
R
R.E.M.
Performer
On this albumGuest

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Frequently Asked Questions Murmur

Who wrote Murmur?
Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe, credited together on all twelve tracks. Neil Bogan added lyrics to "West of the Fields".
How high did the single chart?
"Radio Free Europe" reached number 78 on the Hot 100.
How did it sell?
The discography publishes certifications rather than a sales figure for it. It was certified gold in the US in 1991.
Who engineered it?
Don Dixon and Mitch Easter, who also produced, with Greg Calbi mastering.
Who produced it?
Don Dixon and Mitch Easter.
Why is it hard to hear the words?
Stipe sang low in the mix by choice, and the vagueness of the lyrics became part of what people heard in the band.
How long is the album?
44:11 across twelve tracks.

Sources

Wikipedia: Murmur Wikipedia: R.E.M. discography Wikipedia: R.E.M. Wikipedia: Radio Free Europe Cover Art Archive: Murmur by R.E.M.