R.E.M. release lyric video for “I Believe” as part of “We Are Hope Despite the Times” campaign
R.E.M. CONTINUE TO BE HOPEFUL DESPITE THE TIMES
WITH ALL-NEW LYRIC VIDEO FOR
“I BELIEVE”
Video released as part of the ongoing We Are Hope Despite the Times campaign,
which aims to inspire civic engagement ahead of the upcoming election season
Click here to watch “I Believe” and stream/download We Are Hope Despite the Times
Click here to download artwork
Los Angeles, CA (October 30, 2024)—On the heels of the recent digital compilation We Are Hope Despite the Times, R.E.M. has today released a timely lyric video for “I Believe.” The track captures the band’s optimistic and introspective spirit, with lyrics that explore themes of personal conviction, resilience and the search for truth.
The video, created by longtime famed R.E.M. art director and fellow Athens native Chris Billheimer, draws inspiration from the handmade designs Michael Stipe used to create for himself during the Fables of the Reconstruction tour, as well as the politically themed T-shirts he wore during 1991 MTV VMAs, where the band used their acceptance speech for Best Video (“Losing My Religion”) to draw attention to causes like gun control, reproductive rights, voting rights and alternative energy sources—issues that remain relevant today.
Emphasizes R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, “I believe the choices in this election could not be more stark or more important. Please vote and encourage everyone you know to do the same—that is how we win in 2024 and I believe we can do it!!!”
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About We Are Hope Despite the Times:
On September 17, R.E.M. released We Are Hope Despite the Times, a digital compilation of songs aimed at encouraging their listeners to stay informed and engaged and to vote during this critical election season. The collection features 18 politically provoking songs, including “Welcome to the Occupation,” “Swan Swan H,” “Fall on Me,” “World Leader Pretend” and “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine).”
Throughout their career, R.E.M. has been a vocal advocate for civic engagement, using their platform to promote voter participation and social responsibility. In the early 1990s, they were one of the first bands to partner with Rock the Vote, playing a significant role in increasing youth voter turnout for the 1992 presidential election. Beyond Rock the Vote, R.E.M. has supported voter rights and democracy globally, performing at benefit concerts like the Vote for Change Tour and addressing political causes, from war and environmental justice to human rights, through their music.
With We Are Hope Despite the Times, the band continues to encourage participation in the democratic process, urging fans to register to vote, make their voices heard and play an active role in shaping the future.
Click here to watch “I Believe” and stream/download We Are Hope Despite the Times.
Tracklist:
Turn You Inside-Out
Pop Song ’89
These Days
I Believe
Fall On Me
Welcome To The Occupation
World Leader Pretend
Drive
Begin The Begin
Finest Worksong
Exhuming McCarthy
Just A Touch
Cuyahoga
Disturbance At The Heron House
Swan Swan H
Ignoreland
Stand
It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
About Craft Recordings:
Craft Recordings is home to one of the largest and most essential collections of master recordings and compositions in the world. Its storied repertoire includes landmark releases from icons such as Joan Baez, John Coltrane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Celia Cruz, Miles Davis, Isaac Hayes, John Lee Hooker, Little Richard, R.E.M., Joan Sebastian, and Traveling Wilburys. Plus, the catalog recordings of celebrated contemporary acts including A Day to Remember, Evanescence, Alison Krauss, Nine Inch Nails, Taking Back Sunday, and Violent Femmes, to name just a few. Renowned imprints with catalogs issued under the Craft banner include Fania, Fantasy, Fearless, HITCO, Musart, Nitro, Panart, Prestige, Riverside, Rounder, Specialty, Stax, Vanguard, Varèse Sarabande, Vee-Jay and Victory, among many others. Craft creates thoughtfully curated packages, with a meticulous devotion to quality and a commitment to preservation— ensuring that these recordings endure for new generations to discover. Craft is also home to the Billie Holiday and Tammy Wynette estates which preserve and protect their respective names, likeness, and music through day-to-day legacy management of these cultural trailblazers.
Craft Recordings is the catalog label team for Concord. For more information, visit CraftRecordings.com and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
