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R.E.M. Didn’t Want to Announce Songwriters Hall of Fame Reunion Because That Would ‘F–k It Up’

In an unreleased excerpt from their recent CBS interview, R.E.M. briefly discussed their surprise reunion performance at the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

But on Friday morning, following the induction ceremony and R.E.M.’s surprise performance of “Losing My Religion,” CBS shared a few additional clips — including the moment reporter Anthony Mason noticed the lyrics sheet for the 1991 sheet conspicuously set-up in the band’s old rehearsal space in Athens, Georgia. When Mason asked the band outright if they planned to take the stage at the Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony, Michael Stipe replied, “I don’t think we should announce it, because that would really fuck it up.” discussed what made them want to become songwriters, what it was like hearing their song “We All Go Back to Where We Belong” (from their final album) recently on an Italian TV show, and how surprised they were when “Losing My Religion” became a hit.

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