Hear R.E.M.’s ‘Losing My Religion’ Demo With Alternate Lyrics
The forthcoming 25th anniversary edition of R.E.M.‘s Out of Time album devotes an entire disc to demo tracks. After unveiling an acoustic version of “Radio Song” last month, the band made a previously unreleased demo for one of their best known hits, “Losing My Religion,” available on Friday. The song’s signature riff remains intact, though there are some extra “ahs” from lead singer Michael Stipe floating around in the mix. The song’s lyrics have been altered as well: the line “I set it up” is missing in the demo’s first verse, while the second verse begins with “that’s me in the blinders.”
In addition to the demo, R.E.M. revealed a new cover for the deluxe edition of the record, which removes the signature yellow blob from the original cover. “I wanted a dramatic change in the artwork to indicate the difference between this release and the original,” Stipe noted in a statement. “It will look beautiful on a shelf.”
Fans will be able to purchase three different versions of the expanded Out of Time: a two-CD set, a three-LP vinyl set or a four-disc CD/Blu-ray collection. Each iteration includes the album demos, a pair of B-sides and a previously unreleased track. Though R.E.M. did not tour in support of Out of Time, those who spring for the four-disc set get a live recording of the band performing in 1991 at Mountain Stage in Charleston, West Virginia.
The deluxe Out of Time comes out November 18th.