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Bang and Blame

{{Short description|1994 single by R.E.M}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Bang and Blame

| cover = R.E.M. - Bang and Blame.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = R.E.M.

| album = Monster

| B-side = "Bang and Blame" (instrumental version)

| released = {{start date|1994|10|31}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Hard rock

| length =

  • 5:30 (album with short interlude)
  • 4:51 (single edit)

| label = Warner Bros.

| writer =

  • Bill Berry
  • Peter Buck
  • Mike Mills
  • Michael Stipe{{cite web|url=http://remhq.com/albums.php|title=ALBUMS|publisher=R.E.M.Hq|date=December 18, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205195817/http://www.remhq.com/albums.php|archive-date=February 5, 2012|access-date=January 15, 2012}}

| producer =

| prev_title = What's the Frequency, Kenneth?

| prev_year = 1994

| next_title = Crush with Eyeliner

| next_year = 1995

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|4cdZQ41rGAg|"Bang and Blame"}}}}

}}

"Bang and Blame" is a song by American alternative rock group R.E.M. It was released as the second single from their ninth studio album, Monster (1994), on October 31, 1994, by Warner Bros. Records. The song was R.E.M.'s last to reach the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 19, and was also their last number-one single on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The single reached number one in Canada—R.E.M.'s only single to do so—and peaked inside the top 40 on the charts of Australia, Belgium, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Critical reception

Steve Baltin from Cash Box named 'Bang and Blame' Pick of the Week and "one of the strongest tracks on the entire album." He wrote, "A hard-edged guitar tune, vocalist Michael Stipe gets one of his best moments of Monster when he sings, “You kiss on me/don't kiss on me/you tug on me don't tug on me.” The propulsive rhythm of this track should also prove enticing even to non-fans of the group."{{cite magazine|first=Steve|last=Baltin|title=Pop Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1995/CB-1995-02-04.pdf|magazine=Cash Box|date=February 4, 1995|page=7|accessdate=October 11, 2022}} Fell and Rufer from the Gavin Report felt that "Stipe's angst bites the hand that used to feed it. 'Bang and Blame' seems to be the result of some bad kiss 'n' tell. His genius as an oblique lyricist is most of his charm. The arrangement adds to the drama and makes it almost irresistible. Hot A/C will eat this one for lunch."{{cite magazine|first1=Ron|last1=Fell|first2=Diane|last2=Rufer|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/90/95/Gavin-1995-01-27.pdf|title=Gavin A/C: New Releases|magazine=Gavin Report|date=January 27, 1995|page=27|access-date=January 20, 2023}} Terry Staunton from Melody Maker named it "one of the least effective songs on the Monster album, and therefore a particularly odd choice for a single."{{cite magazine|first=Terry|last=Staunton|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53321086538/|title=Singles|magazine=Melody Maker|date=November 5, 1994|page=42|access-date=November 18, 2023}}

Martin Aston from Music Week gave it a score of four out of five and considered it "a more memorably commercial outing [than 'What's the Frequency, Kenneth?']. Medium paced with a sharply resonant chorus, 'Bang & Blame' sounds like Top 10 material."{{cite magazine|first=Martin|last=Aston|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-10-22.pdf#page=18|title=Market Preview: Alternative|magazine=Music Week|date=October 22, 1994|page=18|access-date=June 16, 2025}} Keith Cameron from NME said it "hinges on an archetypically pretty melody and Stipe's ambiguous voice, caught betwixt disdain and sympathy for the song's distressed subject".{{cite magazine|first=Keith|last=Cameron|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53279516117/|title=Long Play|magazine=NME|date=September 24, 1994|page=47|access-date=October 23, 2023}} Neil Spencer from The Observer wrote that on tracks such as "Bang and Blame", "there are bursts of the musical invention and humanist outlook that characterises their best work."Spencer, Neil (October 2, 1994). "Pop Releases". The Observer. Roy Wilkinson from Select described it as "'Losing My Religion' at two-thirds pace, with reggae-lite rhythms".{{cite magazine|first=Roy|last=Wilkinson|url=https://selectmagazinescans.monkeon.co.uk/showpage.php?file=wp-content/uploads/2013/02/rem.jpg|title=New Albums|work=Select|date=November 1994|page=102|access-date=December 25, 2024|author-link=Roy Wilkinson}} Jordan Paramor from Smash Hits gave it three out of five, adding that "this is yet more weird warblings about life and stuff. However, I'm certain that like most of their singles, it'll be a grower. But come on, R.E.M., do cheer up a bit."{{cite magazine|first=Jordan|last=Paramor|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/54032557904/in/album-72177720320712165|title=New Singles|magazine=Smash Hits|date=October 26, 1994|page=53|access-date=October 7, 2024}}

Track listings

All songs were written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe. All live tracks were recorded at the 40 Watt Club, Athens, Georgia, on November 19, 1992. The performance, a benefit for Greenpeace, was recorded on a solar-powered mobile studio.

  • US 7-inch, cassette, and CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Bang and Blame|year=1994|type=US 7-inch vinyl disc|publisher=Warner Bros. Records|id=7-17994}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Bang and Blame|year=1994|type=US cassette single cassette notes|publisher=Warner Bros. Records|id=4-17994}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Bang and Blame|year=1994|type=US CD single disc notes|publisher=Warner Bros. Records|id=9 17994-2}}
  1. "Bang and Blame" – 4:48
  2. "Bang and Blame" (instrumental version) – 4:48
  • UK 7-inch and cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Bang and Blame|year=1994|type=UK 7-inch vinyl sleeve|publisher=Warner Bros. Records|id=W0275}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Bang and Blame|year=1994|type=UK cassette single cassette notes|publisher=Warner Bros. Records|id=W0275C}}
  1. "Bang and Blame" (album version) – 4:48
  2. "Bang and Blame" (K version) – 4:58
  • UK, European, Australian, and Japanese CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Bang and Blame|year=1994|type=UK & European CD single disc notes|publisher=Warner Bros. Records|id=W0275CD}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Bang and Blame|year=1994|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Warner Bros. Records|id=9362418572}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Bang and Blame|year=1995|type=Japanese CD single liner notes|publisher=Warner Bros. Records|id=WPCR-163}}
  1. "Bang and Blame" (album version) – 4:48
  2. "Losing My Religion" (live) – 4:33
  3. "Country Feedback" (live) – 4:12
  4. "Begin the Begin" (live) – 3:26

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1994–1995)

!Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|29|artist=R.E.M.|song=Bang and Blame|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018}}
{{single chart|Flanders|22|artist=R.E.M.|song=Bang and Blame|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018}}
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=8002|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018}}
scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1994/MM-1994-11-19.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=11|issue=47|page=24|date=November 19, 1994|access-date=June 14, 2020}}

| 46

scope="row"|Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book|first=Jake|last=Nyman|year=2005|title=Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja|edition=1st|publisher=Tammi|location=Helsinki|isbn=951-31-2503-3|language=fi}}

| 10

{{single chart|France|44|artist=R.E.M.|song=Bang and Blame|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018}}
{{single chart|Germany|74|artist=R.E.M.|song=Bang and Blame|songid=15233|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018}}
scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40){{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2721276#page/n1/mode/2up|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (17.–23.11 '94)|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=16|date=November 17, 1994|access-date=October 1, 2019}}

| 5

{{single chart|Ireland2|14|song=Bang and Blame|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018}}
scope="row"|Italy Airplay (Music & Media){{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1994/MM-1994-12-24.pdf|title=Regional Airplay: South|magazine=Music & Media|volume=11|issue=52|page=51|date=24 December 1994}}

| 1

{{single chart|Dutch40|26|year=1994|week=49|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|24|artist=R.E.M.|song=Bang and Blame|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|17|artist=R.E.M.|song=Bang and Blame|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018}}
{{single chart|Scotland|12|date=19941112|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018}}
{{single chart|UK|15|date=19941112|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018}}
{{single chart|UKrock|12|date=19950121|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018}}
scope="row"|UK Airplay (Music Week){{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-12-03.pdf#page=17|title=The Airplay Chart|magazine=Music Week|date=December 3, 1994|page=17|access-date=May 23, 2025}}

| 16

{{single chart|Billboardhot100|19|artist=R.E.M.|rowheader=true|access-date=July 16, 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|1|artist=R.E.M.|rowheader=true|access-date=July 16, 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|3|artist=R.E.M.|rowheader=true|access-date=July 16, 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|13|artist=R.E.M.|rowheader=true|access-date=July 16, 2019}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1994)

!Position

scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40){{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2723094#page/n15/mode/2up|title=Árslistinn 1994|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=25|date=January 2, 1995|access-date=May 30, 2020}}

| 94

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1995)

!Position

scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite magazine|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.2840&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.2840.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.2840|title=RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1995|magazine=RPM|publisher=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=October 22, 2018}}

| 22

scope="row"|US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music: Hot Album Rock Tracks|magazine=Billboard|volume=107|issue=51|page=YE-76|date=December 23, 1995}}

| 27

{{col-end}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"|United Kingdom

|October 31, 1994

|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}}

|rowspan="2"|Warner Bros.

|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-10-29.pdf|title=Single Releases|magazine=Music Week|page=23|date=October 29, 1994|access-date=June 23, 2021}}

scope="row"|Japan

|January 25, 1995

|CD

|{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/19967/products/306990/1/|title=バング・アンド・ブレイム {{!}} R.E.M.|trans-title=Bang and Blame {{!}} R.E.M.|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=June 12, 2025}}

In popular culture

"Bang and Blame" was featured in the Cold Case episode "Blackout" as well as in the Danish mini-series "Charlot og Charlotte" by Ole Bornedal (director of "Nattevagten"/"The Night Watch"), the My Mad Fat Diary episode "Not I" and the Melrose Place episode "No Strings Attached". The song was also used in "Weird Al" Yankovic's polka medley "The Alternative Polka" from his 1996 album Bad Hair Day. The song also leant its title to Episode 7 of Law & Order: Trial By Jury in 2005.

References

{{Reflist}}

{{R.E.M.}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bang And Blame}}

Category:1994 singles

Category:1994 songs

Category:Black-and-white music videos

Category:R.E.M. songs

Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Bill Berry

Category:Song recordings produced by Michael Stipe

Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Mills

Category:Song recordings produced by Peter Buck

Category:Song recordings produced by Scott Litt

Category:Songs written by Bill Berry

Category:Songs written by Michael Stipe

Category:Songs written by Mike Mills

Category:Songs written by Peter Buck

Category:Warner Records singles

Category:American hard rock songs