Sometimes I have particular reasons for choosing certain songs for the daily 'Rewind' feature. Today's reason is this: this is an awesome song from one of the finest bands that ever walked the earth. Fact."R.E.M. formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980. The band quickly established itself in the local scene. Over the course of 1980 the band refined its songwriting skills, helped by its frequent gigs at local venues. One of the group's newer compositions was "Radio Free Europe". The other members of the band were reportedly awestruck when they heard the lyrics and melodies singer Michael Stipe had written for the song. By May 1981 the band added "Radio Free Europe" to its setlist. The track was released as R.E.M.'s debut single on the short-lived independent record label Hib-Tone in 1981. 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 its 1983 debut album Murmur..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.E.M.
