Caption: Image of the Sweetener album artwork
Ariana Grande graced us with her fourth studio album, Sweetener, which introduced us to the enchanting track, "R.E.M." The song, titled after the acronym for "rapid eye movement," takes us on a journey through the dream world. Let's delve deeper into the origins and meaning behind this ethereal piece of music.
"R.E.M." - From Dreams to Reality
"R.E.M." had its roots in a T-Pain demo/scrapped track called "Dream" back in 2011. Pharrell Williams co-wrote, produced, and featured on the original demo, which was originally intended for Beyoncé's self-titled album, Beyoncé. However, the song never made it onto the album and was ultimately discarded. You can listen to Beyoncé's rendition of the song here.
Years later, Pharrell collaborated with Ariana Grande on her album, and he presented her with the demo. She seized the opportunity to reimagine the song and transformed it into the mesmerizing track we now know as "R.E.M." In an interview, Grande revealed that she turned the demo into an entirely new creation, injecting her unique artistry into the composition.
The anticipation for "R.E.M." grew when Grande teased a snippet of the song in her "No Tears Left To Cry" music video. The scene displayed what appeared to be the entire tracklist for Sweetener, leaving fans eagerly waiting for the album's release. Grande confirmed the song's inclusion on April 28, 2018, and even tweeted some lyrics from the track. The concept behind the song's title, "R.E.M. sleep," was revealed through an Instagram story post, further igniting curiosity among fans.
Grande continued to tantalize her fans by teasing additional lyrics on social media platforms. Snippets of the song and visuals were shared, creating an enticing buildup to the album's release. Finally, on August 17, 2018, Sweetener was unveiled, and the dreamy masterpiece, "R.E.M.," captured the hearts of listeners worldwide.
Ariana's Dreamy Live Performances
As with any remarkable track, "R.E.M." ventured from the studio to the stage. Ariana Grande performed a snippet of the song on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon on August 16, 2018. The song made its official live debut on August 20, 2018, during The Sweetener Sessions. Grande also treated fans to a live performance of "R.E.M." on BBC Radio 1 and in the one-hour special, Ariana Grande at the BBC.
The song became a regular part of Grande's Sweetener World Tour, which commenced on March 18, 2019. Fans were captivated by the ethereal atmosphere created by "R.E.M." during these live performances.
Dreamy Lyrics and Trivia
Let's take a closer look at the lyrics of "R.E.M." and some fascinating trivia surrounding the track:
- The acronym "R.E.M." stands for "rapid eye movement," a stage of sleep where dreams are most vivid.
- Grande describes the song as blurring the lines between the dream world and reality, focusing on the concept of dreaming someone into your life.
- "R.E.M." is not explicitly mentioned within the lyrics, joining the ranks of "Pete Davidson" and "Get Well Soon" in that aspect.
- The song has been referenced outside the music realm, appearing in Ariana's fragrance line, cosmetics line, and even as the title of her Netflix documentary.
- Pharrell Williams lent his backing vocals to "R.E.M.," making it one of five songs on the album to feature his collaboration.
- Ariana Grande has a heart tattoo with the text "REM" behind her right ear, symbolizing her love for the track.
- Despite not containing any explicit content, the song is marked as explicit on streaming services.
Relish in the Dreamy Realm of "R.E.M."
As we immerse ourselves in the soothing tones and imaginative lyrics of "R.E.M.," Ariana Grande gracefully demonstrates her ability to craft a sound that transcends reality. This dreamy track from the Sweetener album continues to captivate listeners and serves as a testament to Grande's artistry.
Let the enchanting melodies of "R.E.M." transport you to a world where dreams and reality intertwine, leaving you with an indelible sense of wonder.
*Note: This article is based on the original content from here.
