"R.E.M." is a song by American singer Ariana Grande from her fourth studio album Sweetener, released in 2018. It was written by Grande and Pharrell Williams, production being handled by the latter. The song title inspired the name for Grande's makeup brand, R.E.M. Beauty.[1]
Background and composition
"R.E.M." was written and produced by Pharrell Williams (pictured in 2016)
"R.E.M." is a R&B song containing a doo-wop beat.[2] It runs for a duration of four minutes and six seconds.[3] The song "Dream" was originally recorded as a demo by T-Pain on March 12, 2011, and ran for a duration of four minutes and 27 seconds.[4] It was then passed onto Beyoncé and recorded under the title "Wake Up" in 2013.[5][6] Grande kept the chorus, but changed the song's lyrics.[7] She previewed "R.E.M." prior to the release of Sweetener.[8][9][10]
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.[11] Grande's vocals span 2 octaves, from Eb3 to Eb5.[12]
Reception
"R.E.M." received mixed reception from music critics. In 2018, Complex's Mallorie List ranked "R.E.M." number two on her list of "The Best Ariana Grande Songs".[13] Christopher Rosa of Glamour called the song's lyrics "a tad generic".[14]Out's Dennis Hinzmann said the track "feels like a throwback and a fresh pick all at the same time".[15]
She also performed the song live on BBC Radio 1 in September 2018,[17] and on the one-hour special, Ariana Grande at the BBC, which was recorded on September 7, 2018, and aired on November 1.[18]
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