Texarkana (song)

"Texarkana" is a song from R.E.M.'s studio album Out of Time. Though not released as an official single, it managed to chart at number 4 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 6 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. This song was written, musically and lyrically, by bassist Mike Mills (credited to Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe), as vocalist Michael Stipe had been having problems for weeks trying to come up with lyrics for it. As a result, Mills also sang lead vocals.

"Texarkana"
Promotional CD single
Promotional single by R.E.M.
from the album Out of Time
Released	March 11, 1991
Recorded	Late 1990
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	3:37
Label	Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	Bill Berry Peter Buck Mike Mills Michael Stipe
Producer(s)	Scott Litt R.E.M.

The title is a reference to the city of Texarkana (located on the border of Texas and Arkansas), originally mentioned in the chorus before it was changed. As heard on the Outtakes of Time bootleg as well as Out of Time's 25th Anniversary edition, Stipe's original chorus was "When I'm out in Texarkana / where's that county line / another county line."

Charts

Chart (1991)	Peak position
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[1]	4
US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks[2]	7

Personnel

R.E.M.

• Bill Berry – drums
• Peter Buck – guitar
• Mike Mills – bass guitar, keyboards, lead vocals
• Michael Stipe – backing vocals

Additional musicians

• Peter Holsapple – acoustic guitar
• David Arenz – violin
• Ellie Arenz – violin
• Mark Bingham – string arrangements
• David Braitberg – violin
• Andrew Cox – cello
• Reid Harris – viola
• Ralph Jones – double bass
• John Keane – pedal steel guitar
• Dave Kempers – violin
• Elizabeth Murphy – cello
• Paul Murphy – viola

References

1. "R.E.M. Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
2. "R.E.M. - Charts & Awards - Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-05-06.