Today’s video of the day is the R.E.M. – "Can’t Get There From Here" released in 1985.
R.E.M. released “Can’t Get There From Here” in 1985 during a key creative shift. The band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980. Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Bill Berry built early momentum through college radio. Their first albums favored murky guitars and cryptic lyrics. However, this single showed a brighter edge. It added a Southern funk feel and a bold horn section. As a result, the song stood apart from earlier material.
The track appears on their third studio album, Fables of the Reconstruction. Producer Joe Boyd recorded the album in London. This choice gave the record a darker and more textured sound. Still, “Can’t Get There From Here” injected humor and bounce. Lyrically, it referenced Philomath, Georgia. It also nodded to manager Jefferson Holt and Ray Charles. Therefore, the song felt personal and playful. On the charts, it reached number ten on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100.
The music video reinforced this lighter tone. It highlighted an eccentric and self-aware side of the band. Unlike earlier visuals, it leaned into humor instead of mystery. This approach matched the song’s loose groove. At the same time, it hinted at future evolution. Later albums like Lifes Rich Pageant and Document would grow more direct and political. Still, Fables of the Reconstruction remained a turning point. “Can’t Get There From Here” bridged early jangle pop and later confidence. As a result, the video captured R.E.M. learning how far they could stretch.
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