R.E.M. Surprised by the Success of "Losing My Religion"

R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills admits that the band was surprised by the success of their hit single "Losing My Religion," as they initially saw it as a warm-up track for radio. The song, featuring a mandolin as the lead instrument and lacking a traditional chorus, became a worldwide number-one hit and R.E.M.'s highest-charting song in the US. Mills states that anyone claiming they saw the song's success coming is lying. Despite not being chosen as a favorite by any band member, R.E.M. had no time for critics who considered it a sell-out to radio.