R.E.M. (song)


"R.E.M." is a song by American singer Ariana Grande from her fourth studio album Sweetener, released in 2018. It was written and produced by Pharrell Williams.

Background and composition

"R.E.M." is a R&B song containing a doo-wop beat. It runs for a duration of four minutes and six seconds. The song "Wake Up" was originally recorded as a demo by Beyoncé. Grande kept the chorus, but changed the song's lyrics. She previewed "R.E.M." prior to the release of Sweetener.
The song's title refers to rapid eye movement sleep, and is about "a relationship that blurs between the dreamworld and reality". Grande has said "R.E.M." is about "dreaming someone into your life", and is one of her favorite tracks on Sweetener. Grande's vocals span 3 octaves, from Eb3 to Eb6.

Reception

In 2018, Complex Mallorie List ranked "R.E.M." number two on her list of "The Best Ariana Grande Songs". Christopher Rosa of Glamour called the song's lyrics "a tad generic". Out Dennis Hinzmann said the track "feels like a throwback and a fresh pick all at the same time".

Live performances

Grande first premiered a 20 second snippet of the song on Elle magazine's Youtube channel, during their game "Song Association" on July 12, 2018.
Grande also performed a snippet of the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on August 16, 2018. The song was officially debuted live on August 20, 2018 at The Sweetener Sessions.
She also performed the song live on BBC Radio 1 in September 2018, and on the one-hour special, Ariana Grande at the BBC, which was recorded on September 7, 2018, and aired on November 1.
This song is also one of the songs from the set list of her Sweetener World Tour.

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel adapted from the liner notes of Sweetener.
Recording and management
Personnel