"Texarkana" is a song from R.E.M.'s studio album Out of Time. Though not released as an official single, it managed to chart at number 4 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 6 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. This song was written, musically and lyrically, by bassist Mike Mills (credited to Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe), as vocalist Michael Stipe had been having problems for weeks trying to come up with lyrics for it.[1] As a result, Mills also sang lead vocals.
| "Texarkana" | |
|---|---|
 Promotional CD single | |
| Promotional single by R.E.M. | |
| from the album Out of Time | |
| Released | March 11, 1991 |
| Recorded | Late 1990 |
| Genre | Country rock |
| Length | 3:37 |
| Label | Warner Bros. |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) |
|
The title is a reference to the city of Texarkana (located on the border of Texas and Arkansas), originally mentioned in the chorus before it was changed. As heard on the Outtakes of Time bootleg as well as Out of Time's 25th Anniversary edition, Stipe's original chorus was "When I'm out in Texarkana / where's that county line / another county line."
Personnel
editPersonnel adapted from Out of Time liner notes[2]
R.E.M.
- Bill Berry – drums, percussion
- Peter Buck – electric guitar
- Mike Mills – bass guitar, string synthesizer and arrangement, lead vocals
- Michael Stipe – backing vocals
Additional musicians
- Peter Holsapple – acoustic guitar
- David Arenz – violin
- Ellie Arenz – violin
- Mark Bingham – string arrangements
- David Braitberg – violin
- Andrew Cox – cello
- Reid Harris – viola
- Ralph Jones – double bass
- John Keane – pedal steel guitar
- Dave Kempers – violin
- Elizabeth Murphy – cello
- Paul Murphy – viola
- Jay Weigel – orchestral liaison
Charts
edit| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[3] | 4 |
| US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard)[4] | 7 |
References
edit- ^ Rick Beato (2024-06-14). Mike Mills: The Story Of R.E.M. Retrieved 2024-06-18 – via YouTube.
- ^ R.E.M. (1991). Out of Time (CD liner notes).
- ^ "R.E.M. Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
- ^ "R.E.M. - Charts & Awards - Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-05-06.