"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
ReleasedMarch 11, 1991
RecordedLate 1990
GenreCountry rock
Length3:37
LabelWarner 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

edit

Personnel adapted from Out of Time liner notes[2]

R.E.M.

Additional musicians

Charts

edit
Chart performance for "Texarkana"
Chart (1991) Peak
position
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[3] 4
US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard)[4] 7

References

edit
  1. ^ Rick Beato (2024-06-14). Mike Mills: The Story Of R.E.M. Retrieved 2024-06-18 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ R.E.M. (1991). Out of Time (CD liner notes).
  3. ^ "R.E.M. Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
  4. ^ "R.E.M. - Charts & Awards - Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-05-06.