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Man on the Moon

Cover art to "Man on the Moon" single

"Man on the Moon" is a song written and recorded by R.E.M. from their 1992 album Automatic for the People and was also the second single taken from the album in 1993, charting in the U.S. at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, #4 on the Canada Hot 100 and #18 on the UK Singles Chart. The song makes numerous references to the performer Andy Kaufman, including his Elvis impersonation and work with wrestlers Fred Blassie and Jerry Lawler.

The title, video, and lyrics reference the conspiracy theory that the American moon landing was faked. The song gave its name to a 1999 film Man On The Moon, and was used in the film's soundtrack along with other songs composed by R.E.M. for the movie.

The song was placed on R.E.M.'s Warner Bros. Records "best of" album In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003 in 2003 as the opening track. It was one of four songs from Automatic for the People to make the compilation, more than any from other albums.

The song was performed live on July 2, 2005, at Live 8's London concert, along with "Everybody Hurts" and "Imitation of Life". The song was also performed by the original line-up of the band, accompanied by Eddie Vedder, during the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 12, 2007.

Track listing[]

All songs written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe, except as indicated.

  • U.S. 7"; cassette; CD single:
  1. "Man on the Moon" – 5:12
  2. "New Orleans Instrumental No. 2" – 3:48
  • UK "Collector's Edition" CD single:
  1. "Man on the Moon" – 5:12
  2. "Fruity Organ" – 3:26
  3. "New Orleans Instrumental No. 2" – 3:48
  4. "Arms of Love" (Robyn Hitchcock) – 3:35
  • DE 12"; CD maxi-single:
  1. "Man on the Moon" (edit) – 4:39
  2. "Turn You Inside-Out" – 4:15
  3. "Arms of Love" (Robyn Hitchcock) – 3:35
  • UK and DE 7"; cassette:
  1. "Man on the Moon" (edit) – 4:39
  2. "Turn You Inside-Out" – 4:15

See also[]

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