Gone Hollywood Top Ten: Electrolite (#9)

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If anyone at all is surprised to see these guys show up on a countdown, please see me after class. You’ll see this top ten lists is filled with old favorites, both on the Hollywood side and the L.A. side. Let’s head for Hollywood with today’s song. #9: Electrolite - R.E.M. This was the last R.E.M. album with drummer Bill Berry. The year before this album was released, Berry suffered a brain aneurysm onstage in Switzerland. While he recovered, he said the injury and the recovery took a lot out of him. He discussed it with the rest of the band, who agreed to his plea to not break up. They also, out of respect to him, never “replaced” him, continuing as an official three-piece band until their retirement. If’n you ask me, they couldn’t have had a better “farewell” album for Berry. This is the closing song on the album. By the way, Berry did appear with the band when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as well as the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Regarding the latter, if you notice, all of R.E.M.’s songs have a songwriting credit for the entire band regardless of who was the “primary” writer. A true band of brothers, in every regard. Electrolite Written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe Recorded by R.E.M. From New Adventures in Hi-Fi, 1996 HOLLYWOOD LYRICS: Hollywood is under me