R.E.M. has debuted a new official lyric video for its 1986 song “I Believe” in conjunction with the recent release of the band’s We Are Hope Despite the Times digital compilation.
Videos by American Songwriter
The We Are Hope Despite the Times compilation is part of a campaign of the same name that R.E.M. launched to encourage people to get involved in the democratic process during the current election season.
[RELATED: “Stand” and Be Counted: R.E.M. Releases Digital Compilation Promoting Voter Registration]
The “I Believe” video was created by R.E.M.’s longtime art director, Chris Billheimer, a fellow native of Athens, Georgia. The black-and-white clip uses a stop-motion technique to show the lyrics of “I Believe” appearing on a man’s white T-shirt as they are sung by frontman Michael Stipe.
According to a press statement, the video was partly inspired by the handmade designs Stipe created for himself during the R.E.M.’s Fables of the Reconstruction tour. The clip also drew inspiration from the politically themed T-shirts Michael wore at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards ceremony. At the event, R.E.M. won the Video of the Year honor for “Losing My Religion.” During the band’s acceptance speech, the singer unveiled multiple T-shirts featuring messages bringing attention to such issues as gun control, reproductive rights, voting rights, and more.
Stipe issued a statement referencing the new “I Believe” video and the We Are Hope Despite the Times campaign.
“I believe the choices in this election could not be more stark or more important,” he said. “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!!!”
More About the Compilation and Its Associated Campaign
We Are Hope Despite the Times was released on September 17 to coincide with National Voter Registration Day, Constitution Day, and Citizenship Day. The 18-track collection features songs geared toward inspiring listeners “to stay informed, engaged, and vote” during the 2024 election season.
The tunes, which come from various R.E.M. albums, boast such topical themes as the importance of activism and social responsibility.
The playlist’s title is taken from a lyric featured in “These Days,” a song from R.E.M.’s 1986 album Lifes Rich Pageant. Sixteen of the compilation’s 18 tracks come from three albums—Lifes Rich Pageant, Document (1987), and Green (1988).
Among the well-known R.E.M. songs on the album are “Pop Song ’89,” “Fall on Me,” “Drive,” “Stand,” and “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine).”
We Are Hope Despite the Times is available now via various popular streaming services. In conjunction with the compilation’s release, R.E.M. is encouraging fans to visit Vote.gov or Headcount.org, where they can register to vote or update their registration.
More About “I Believe”
“I Believe” appeared on Lifes Rich Pagaent, R.E.M.’s fourth studio album. The song features some impressionistic and enigmatic lyrics, as Stipe shoots off a list of things and concepts in which he believes.
As the press statement announcing the video explains, the song “captures the band’s optimistic and introspective spirit, with lyrics that explore themes of personal conviction, resilience and the search for truth.”
We Are Hope Despite the Times Track List:
- “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)”
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