Oh My Heart
R.E.M. · Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage - 1982 - 2011 [2011]
A new take on faith
Pick up the pieces
Get carried away
I came home to city half erased
I came home to face what we faced
This place needs me here to start
This place is the beat of my heart
Oh my heart
Oh my heart
(oh my heart)
Oh my heart
Oh my heart
(oh my heart)
Storm didn't kill me
The government changed
Hear the answer call
Hear the song rearranged
Hear the tress, the ghosts and the buildings sing
With the wisdom to reconcile this thing
It's sweet and it's sad and it's true
How it doesn't look bitter on you
Oh my heart
Oh my heart
(oh my heart)
Oh my heart
Oh my heart
(oh my heart)
Mother and father
I stand beside you
The good of this world
Might help see me through
This place needs me here to start
This place is the beat of my heart
Oh my heart
Oh my heart
(oh my heart)
Oh my heart
Oh my heart
(oh my heart)
Oh My Heart
Released on the 1982 EP Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage, this track exemplifies R.E.M.'s early indie rock sound, blending melodic pop sensibilities with the band's signature atmospheric production. The song features the distinctive vocal style of Peter Gabriel, who provided guest vocals on several tracks during this period, adding a layer of ethereal texture to the recording. As part of the band's formative catalog, it reflects their transition from college rock to a more polished, radio-friendly approach while maintaining their experimental edge. The composition remains a staple of their discography, showcasing the collaborative spirit that would later define their major-label success with albums like Out Of Time.