Orange Crush (song) Article Index for
Orange Crush
Website Links For
Orange
 

Information About

Orange Crush (song)




  Cover orangecrushremjpg
  Artist REM
  From Album Green
  Released 1989
  Format 7" Single
  Recorded 1988
  Genre Rock
  Length 3:51
  Label Warner Bros
  Producer Scott Litt & REM
  Chart Position <ul><li>#1 <small>( US )</small></li></ul>
  Last Single " Stand "<br/>(1988)
  This Single "'''Orange Crush'''"<br/>(1989)
  Next Single " Pop Song 89 "<br/>(1989)


"Orange Crush" was the second single from R.E.M. 's sixth studio album '' Green '' in 1989 . It failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 despite reaching #1 on both the Mainstream and Modern Rock Tracks . It peaked at #28 on the UK Singles Charts , easily making it the band's then-highest chart in Britain.

The song's lyrics refer to the Vietnam War , in which lead singer Michael Stipe 's father served as a helicopter pilot. The chorus of the song:

:''Follow me, don't follow me, I've got my spine, I've got my orange crush,
:''collar me, don't collar me, I've got my spine, I've got my orange crush,
:''We are agents of the free, I've had my fun and now it's time,
To serve your conscience overseas, coming in fast, over me.


seems to refer to young people being drafted, with threats of arrest or accusations of cowardice if they refused to serve.

It is thought that the song depicts a helicopter attack using lethal insecticide or other.
The reference "another one on the waves tonight
coming in, you're home" also sugggests rescue of wounded and collection of dead"

Though Michael Stipe's lyrics are always oblique, it is thought that the title of this song refers to Agent Orange , the defoliant/herbicide used by US Forces during the Vietnam War . Alternatively, "Orange Crush" may refer to Napalm , a widely used flame weapon that burns orange/red.

The song was placed on R.E.M.'s Warner Brothers "best of" album '' In Time - The Best Of R.E.M. 1988-2003 '' in 2003 .


TRACK LISTING

# "Orange Crush" ( Berry / Buck / Mills / Stipe ) –3:50
# "Ghostrider" ( Rev / Vega ) – 3:47


EXTERNAL LINKS