At My Most Beautiful

Last updated

"At My Most Beautiful"
R.E.M. - At My Most Beautiful.jpg
Single by R.E.M.
from the album Up
B-side
ReleasedMarch 8, 1999 (1999-03-08)
Recorded1998
Genre Baroque pop [1] [2]
Length3:35
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
R.E.M. singles chronology
"Lotus"
(1998)		"At My Most Beautiful"
(1999)		"Suspicion"
(1999)

"At My Most Beautiful" is a song by the American alternative rock band R.E.M. During the song's creation, members of the group noted its similarity to the work of the Beach Boys and purposefully fashioned it to resemble that band's output. Singer Michael Stipe strove to make his lyrics the most romantic he had ever written, and the piano-driven ballad became R.E.M.'s first straightforward love song. Released on the group's 1998 album Up , it was issued as the third single from that record the following year, reaching number 10 on the UK Singles Chart.

Contents

Origin and recording

R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills stated that after he composed the piano part to "At My Most Beautiful", he felt it sounded like music the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson would have written two decades prior. [3] Once guitarist Peter Buck received the basic tracks of the song from Mills, he too found the music reminiscent of Wilson. [4] Instead of avoiding the comparisons, the group instead opted to "[run] toward it", in Mills' words. [3]

"The idea for it happened driving up and down Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles when I was putting together the Patti Smith book [Two Times Intro: On the Road with Patti Smith] last year," Stipe said in 1998. "I had CDs and tape of new songs in the car. I came up with this one line, 'I found a way to make you smile.' All I knew was The Beach Boys had a record or a song called Smile  – is that right? – so I was like, 'Well, this will be my gift to [bandmates and Beach Boys fans] Peter and Mike, and Bill at the time. It was hard to write. It was a high order to say, 'I found a way to make you smile.' I had to come up with, 'OK, what are those ways?' That was tough." [5] Of the line, 'I found a way to make you smile', Stipe later recalled, "I just thought, that's the most beautiful thing in the world." [6]

Stipe had difficulty writing lyrics for the Up album. [6] In the case of "At My Most Beautiful", it took the singer a year to write the song's verse because he needed to figure out what one could do to prompt the action described in the opening line. The solution finally occurred to him one morning, and he finished writing the words in 45 minutes. [7] After a conversation with Patti Smith, Stipe was convinced that he needed to be fearless in his songwriting approach. In regards to "At My Most Beautiful", he had grown tired writing ironic love songs and consequently endeavored to create "the most romantic song I'd ever written". [6]

"At My Most Beautiful" was written as a pop ballad in the style of 1960s musicians such as Brian Wilson and Hal Blaine (pictured) Hal Blaine in 1995.jpg
"At My Most Beautiful" was written as a pop ballad in the style of 1960s musicians such as Brian Wilson and Hal Blaine (pictured)

Following the departure of drummer and founding member Bill Berry, the dynamic of the band changed. Buck performed drums on the song; though he admitted he was not adept at playing the instrument, he stated his skill level was sufficient to perform what he referred to as the "Hal Blaine-ish" fills heard on the recording. [4] During the final stages of production for Up in 1998, two days—June 21 and 22—were used to perform audio mixing on the song. [7]

Composition and lyrics

"At My Most Beautiful" is performed in the key of F major. There are several main chord progressions in the song: the introduction is Fmaj7–D–G minor, while the verse follows a I–III–IV–II chord sequence and the chorus ascends using a II–III–IV–V progression. In the mix, tubular and sleigh bells are heard in the right channel (with their reverberation reaching into the left), piano and bass guitar (both played in quarter note patterns) as well as bass harmonica are heard in the left, and guitar and Mike Mills' backing vocals are centered. Additional instrumentation includes organ in the chorus and cellos in the song's coda. The notes Michael Stipe sings are typical of the vocalist, focusing on the first, third, and fourth notes of the scale he's performing. [8]

"At My Most Beautiful" was written as a "gift" from Stipe to his bandmates, to indulge their fondness of Pet Sounds . [6] Commenting on the song's musical similarities to the work of the Beach Boys in his book Inside Classic Rock Tracks, Rikki Rooksby wrote that "At My Most Beautiful" was "a tribute to that sound, at once conveying something of R.E.M. and Brian Wilson. In other words, it's not so much like The Beach Boys that it's a pastiche, but sufficiently like them to be a musical homage." [9] He states that the song's use of an F chord with an A bass note in the verse follows the example of Brian Wilson's use of inversions on his band's Pet Sounds album, and that the cellos at the end heightens the section's resemblance to the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations". [8]

In addition to being its first tribute song, "At My Most Beautiful" was also R.E.M.'s first straightforward love song. [10] The lyrics reference leaving messages on a love interest's answering machine and what Rooksby terms "knowing obsession". He states that the song is about "the ennobling effect of love, yet is aware of its playful narcissism". [8]

Release and promotion

"At My Most Beautiful" was released as the third single from Up in early 1999. [11] That February, R.E.M. performed "At My Most Beautiful" for an episode of Party of Five , a television series which had included music by the band in the past; the show's producers determined the choice of song to be featured in the program. [12] The single's promotional video was directed by Nigel Dick. [13] The clip follows a cellist (portrayed by Rain Phoenix) experiencing a "bad day" on her way to an audition overseen by Buck, Mills, and Stipe. R.E.M. biographer David Buckley praised the narrative promo as one of the band's best. [14] Though the song was a moderate hit, its success failed to stimulate sales of Up, which by 1999 had sold a relatively low three million copies worldwide. [15]

Track listing

All songs were written by Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe unless otherwise indicated.

CD

  1. "At My Most Beautiful" (Radio Remix)
  2. "The Passenger" (live, Later with Jools Holland  – BBC Radio Theatre, London) (Iggy Pop)
  3. "Country Feedback" (live, Later with Jools Holland – BBC Radio Theatre, London) (Bill Berry, Buck, Mills, and Stipe)

UK CD single

  1. "At My Most Beautiful" (live, BBC Radio 1, October 25, 1998)
  2. "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)" (live, Later with Jools Holland – BBC Radio Theatre, London) (Berry, Buck, Mills, and Stipe)

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "At My Most Beautiful"
Chart (1998)Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [16] 39
Ireland (IRMA) [17] 28
Scotland (OCC) [18] 9
UK Singles (OCC) [19] 10
US Adult Alternative Top 30 ( Radio & Records ) [20] 19

Release history

Release dates and formats for "At My Most Beautiful"
RegionDateFormat(s)LabelRef.
United KingdomMarch 8, 1999
  • CD
  • cassette
 Warner Bros. [21]
JapanMarch 10, 1999CD [22]
United StatesApril 20, 1999Radio [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Stipe</span> American singer (born 1960)

John Michael Stipe is an American singer, songwriter and artist, best known as the lead singer and lyricist of alternative rock band R.E.M.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Losing My Religion</span> 1991 single by R.E.M.

"Losing My Religion" is a song by American alternative rock band R.E.M., released in February 1991 as the first single and the second track from the group's seventh album, Out of Time (1991). Built on a mandolin riff, the song was an unlikely hit for the group, garnering extensive airplay on radio as well as on MTV and VH1 due to its critically acclaimed music video. The single became R.E.M.'s highest-charting hit in the United States, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and expanding the group's popularity beyond its original fan-base. At the 1992 Grammy Awards, "Losing My Religion" won two awards: Best Short Form Music Video and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. In 2017, "Losing My Religion" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

<i>Monster</i> (R.E.M. album) 1994 studio album by R.E.M.

Monster is the ninth studio album by American rock band R.E.M., released on September 27, 1994, by Warner Bros. Records. It was produced by the band and Scott Litt and recorded at four studios. The album was an intentional shift from the style of their previous two albums, Out of Time (1991) and Automatic for the People (1992), by introducing loud, distorted guitar tones and simple lyrics.

<i>Reckoning</i> (R.E.M. album) 1984 studio album by R.E.M.

Reckoning is the second studio album by American alternative rock band R.E.M., released on April 9, 1984, by I.R.S. Records. Produced by Mitch Easter and Don Dixon, the album was recorded at Reflection Sound Studio in Charlotte, North Carolina, over 16 days in December 1983 and January 1984. Dixon and Easter intended to capture the sound of R.E.M.'s live performances, and used binaural recording on several tracks. Lead singer Michael Stipe dealt with darker subject matter in his lyrics, with water-related imagery being a recurring theme on the album.

<i>In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003</i> 2003 compilation album by R.E.M.

In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003 is the second official compilation album released by R.E.M. Issued in 2003, it includes tracks from their Warner Bros. Records era, from 1988's Green to 2001's Reveal, as well as two new recordings and two songs from movie soundtracks. The album was the tenth-best-selling album of 2003 in the UK, and the 50th-best-selling album of the 2000s in the UK.

<i>Up</i> (R.E.M. album) Album by R.E.M.

Up is the eleventh studio album by American rock band R.E.M., released on October 26, 1998, by Warner Bros. Records. It was the band's first album without drummer Bill Berry, who retired from the group in October of 1997. In his place, R.E.M. used session drummers like Joey Waronker and Barrett Martin, as well as programming drum machines. The band has said that the album probably would have sounded much the same with Berry, as initial rehearsals with him had commenced, but his departure almost “broke” them and "hung over" the resulting recordings.

<i>Reveal</i> (R.E.M. album) 2001 studio album by R.E.M.

Reveal is the twelfth studio album by American alternative rock band R.E.M., released on May 14, 2001, on Warner Bros. After having adjusted to former drummer Bill Berry's departure and releasing Up to mixed response in 1998, R.E.M. released the more upbeat Reveal, co-produced with long-time collaborator Pat McCarthy. The album received generally positive reviews from music critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nightswimming</span> 1993 single by R.E.M.

"Nightswimming" is a song by American alternative rock band R.E.M., released in July 1993 by Warner Bros. as the fifth single from the band's eighth album, Automatic for the People (1992). The song is a ballad featuring singer Michael Stipe accompanied only by bassist Mike Mills on piano, a string arrangement by former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, and a prominent oboe by Deborah Workman in the latter part of the piece. Stipe sings about a group of friends who go skinny dipping at night, which draws from similar experiences in the band's early days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electrolite</span> 1996 single by R.E.M.

"Electrolite" is a song by R.E.M. released as their third single and closing track from their tenth studio album, New Adventures in Hi-Fi. The song is a piano-based ballad to Los Angeles, Hollywood icons and the closing 20th century. Initially, Michael Stipe objected to including the song on the album, but was won over by Peter Buck and Mike Mills. It has since become one of his favorite R.E.M. songs as well as one of Radiohead lead singer Thom Yorke's; Radiohead has covered the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radio Free Europe (song)</span> 1981 single by R.E.M.

"Radio Free Europe" is the debut single by American alternative rock band R.E.M., released in 1981 on the short-lived independent record label Hib-Tone. The song features "what were to become the trademark unintelligible lyrics which have distinguished R.E.M.'s work ever since." The single received critical acclaim, and its success earned the band a record deal with I.R.S. Records. R.E.M. re-recorded the song for their 1983 debut album Murmur. The re-recording for I.R.S. became the group's first charting single, peaking at number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is ranked number 389 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2009, it was added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry for setting "the pattern for later indie rock releases by breaking through on college radio in the face of mainstream radio's general indifference."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">E-Bow the Letter</span> 1996 single by R.E.M.

"E-Bow the Letter" is the first single from American rock band R.E.M.'s 10th studio album, New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996). It was released on August 19, 1996, several weeks before the album's release. During the same month, R.E.M. signed a then record-breaking five-album contract with Warner Bros. Records. The song features American singer-songwriter and "Godmother of Punk" Patti Smith performing backing vocals. Smith was cited as a major influence by band members Michael Stipe and Peter Buck, and she also provided backing vocals for "Blue", the closing track on the band's final studio album, Collapse into Now, in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daysleeper</span> Song by R.E.M

"Daysleeper" is a song by American alternative rock band R.E.M. It was released as the first single from their eleventh studio album Up on October 12, 1998. Sung from the point of view of a night shift worker corresponding with colleagues, "Daysleeper" focuses on the disorientation of time and circadian rhythm in such a lifestyle, leading to despair and loss of identity. Lead singer Michael Stipe developed the song's concept after noticing a sign reading "daysleeper" on a New York City apartment door.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lotus (R.E.M. song)</span> Song by R.E.M.

"Lotus" is a song by American rock band R.E.M., released as the second single from their eleventh studio album, Up (1998). The song is somewhat minimalist, with Michael Stipe singing surreal lyrics in a percussive manner. It builds on a four-note keyboard part, with a distorted guitar riff at the beginning and after the second chorus. The song's recurring line "I ate the lotus" appeared in an alternate form in a previous R.E.M. song, "Be Mine". The line "dot dot dot and I feel fine" is a reference to R.E.M.'s 1987 hit "It's the End of the World as We Know It ".

<i>In View: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003</i> 2003 video by R.E.M.

In View: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003 is a DVD featuring videos by the rock band R.E.M. from 1988 to 2003, released as a companion to the Warner Bros. compilation In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003. All but two of the songs included on the audio CD made the DVD—the exceptions being "All the Right Friends" and "Animal".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R.E.M.</span> American rock band (1980–2011)

R.E.M. was an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe, who were students at the University of Georgia. One of the first alternative rock bands, R.E.M. was noted for Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style; Stipe's distinctive vocal quality, unique stage presence, and obscure lyrics; Mills's melodic bass lines and backing vocals; and Berry's tight, economical drumming style. In the early 1990s, other alternative rock acts such as Nirvana and Pavement viewed R.E.M. as a pioneer of the genre. After Berry left the band in 1997, the band continued its career in the 2000s with mixed critical and commercial success. The band broke up amicably in 2011 with members devoting time to solo projects after having sold more than 90 million albums worldwide and becoming one of the world's best-selling music acts.

<i>Collapse into Now</i> 2011 studio album by R.E.M.

Collapse into Now is the fifteenth and final studio album by American alternative rock band R.E.M., released on March 7, 2011, on Warner Bros. Produced by Jacknife Lee, who previously worked with the band on Accelerate (2008), the album was preceded by the singles "It Happened Today", "Mine Smell Like Honey", "Überlin" and "Oh My Heart".

<i>Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982–2011</i> 2011 greatest hits album by R.E.M.

Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982–2011 is a 2011 greatest hits album from alternative rock band R.E.M. Intended as a coda on their career, this is the first compilation album that features both their early work on independent record label I.R.S. Records in addition to their 10 studio releases through Warner Bros. Records. The double-disc retrospective was released through Warner Bros. on November 11, 2011, and was compiled by the band members; the existence of the compilation was revealed simultaneously with the group's announcement that they were disbanding on September 21, 2011.

<i>Complete Rarities: Warner Bros. 1988–2011</i> 2014 compilation album by R.E.M.

Complete Rarities: Warner Bros. 1988–2011 is a 2014 compilation album featuring live songs, singles' b-sides and non-album tracks recorded by alternative rock band R.E.M. during their tenure on Warner Bros. Records. All material has been previously released either physically or in digital-only formats.

<i>REMTV</i> 2014 R.E.M. DVD box set

REMTV is a six-disc DVD box set collecting appearances by American alternative rock band R.E.M. on MTV and related channels, from 1983 to 2008, released November 24, 2014. The collection was compiled by the former band members as they looked through all of the MTV film footage in their vault to prepare the release of Unplugged: The Complete 1991 and 2001 Sessions.

<i>R.E.M. at the BBC</i> 2018 live album

R.E.M. at the BBC is a 2018 live album box set by American alternative rock band R.E.M. released on October 19, 2018. The eight-disc compilation features sessions recorded between 1984 and 2008, including a bonus DVD of videos. Additionally, a two-disc best-of collection was released on the same day.

References

  1. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "R.E.M. - Unplugged 1991/2001: Complete Sessions". AllMusic . Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  2. ↑ Macdonald, John (March 12, 2009). "Stipe, Patti Smith, Others Play R.E.M. Tribute in NYC". Spin . Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Forman, Bill. "Diminished But Unafraid, R.E.M. Talk About the Passion". Pulse!. November 1998.
  4. 1 2 Sprague, David. "Buck on Up". Guitar Magazine. December 1998.
  5. ↑ Cavanagh, David: 'Come On, He Was Only The Drummer', Q #146, November 1998, pp96–104
  6. 1 2 3 4 Sakamoto, John. "Michael Stipe Talks Shop". Jam! Magazine. October 18, 1998.
  7. 1 2 Black, p. 237
  8. 1 2 3 Rooksby, p. 157
  9. ↑ Rooksby, p. 156
  10. ↑ Buckley, p. 290
  11. ↑ Fletcher, p. 335
  12. ↑ Van Horn, Terri. "R.E.M. Follow TV Taping With Intimate Gig". MTV.com. February 18, 1999. Retrieved on January 23, 2013.
  13. ↑ "R.E.M. To 'Party' For Cameo TV Role". MTV.com. February 11, 1999. Retrieved on January 23, 2013.
  14. ↑ Buckley, p. 291
  15. ↑ Doyle, Tom. "Out of Time?" Q. September 1999.
  16. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media . Vol. 16, no. 13. March 27, 1999. p. 10.
  17. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – At My Most Beautiful". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Adult Alternative Top 30". Radio & Records . No. 1301. May 28, 1999. p. 132.
  21. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 8 March, 1999: Singles". Music Week . March 6, 1999. p. 25.
  22. ↑ "アット・マイ・モスト・ビューティフル | R.E.M." [At My Most Beautiful | R.E.M.] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  23. ↑ "R.E.M.: At My Most Beautiful". Radio & Records . No. 1295. April 16, 1999. p. 39.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.