R.E.M.’s “Out of Time” Turns 30

On this day in 1991, March 12th, rock band R.E.M. released their seventh studio album via Warner Bros Records, Out Of Time. With the release of this record, R.E.M.’s status grew from that of a cult band to a massive international act. The record topped the album sales charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom, spending 109 weeks on U.S. album charts and enjoying two separate spells at the summit, and spending 183 weeks on the British charts and a single week at the top.

The album has sold more than four and a half million copies in the United States and more than 18 million copies worldwide. The album won three Grammy Awards in 1992: one as Best Alternative Music Album, and two for the first single, “Losing My Religion.”

Preceded by the release of “Losing My Religion,” which became R.E.M.’s biggest U.S. hit, Out of Time gave them their first U.S. and UK No. 1 album. The band did not tour to support the release, although it did make occasional appearances on television or at festivals. In Germany, it’s the band’s best-selling album, selling more than 1,250,000 copies, reaching 5×gold.

Listen to “Losing My Religion” here.

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