"R.E.M." is a song by American singerAriana Grande from her fourth studio albumSweetener, released in August 17, 2018, alongside the rest of the album. It was written by Grande andPharrell Williams, with production being handled by the latter. The song's title inspired the name for Grande's makeup brand,R.E.M. Beauty.^[1]

"R.E.M." is aR&B song containing adoo-wop beat.^[2] It runs for a duration of four minutes and six seconds.^[3] The song "Dream" was originally recorded as a demo byT-Pain on March 12, 2011, and ran for a duration of four minutes and 27 seconds.^[4] It was then passed ontoBeyoncé and recorded under the title "Wake Up" in 2013.^[5][6] Grande kept the chorus, but changed the song's lyrics.^[7] She previewed "R.E.M" prior to the release ofSweetener.^[8][9][10]

The song's title refers torapid eye movement sleep, and is about "a relationship that blurs between the dreamworld and reality". Grande has said "R.E.M." is about "dreaming someone into your life", and is one of her favorite tracks onSweetener.^[11] Grande's vocals span 2 octaves, from Eb3 to Eb5.^[12]

"R.E.M." received mixed reception from music critics. In 2018,Complex's Mallorie List ranked "R.E.M." number two on her list of "The Best Ariana Grande Songs".^[13] Christopher Rosa ofGlamour called the song's lyrics "a tad generic".^[14]Out's Dennis Hinzmann said the track "feels like a throwback and a fresh pick all at the same time".^[15]

Grande first premiered a 20-second snippet of the song on Elle magazine's Youtube channel, during their game "Song Association" on July 12, 2018.^[16]Grande also performed a snippet of the song onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on August 16, 2018.^{[citation needed]} The song was officially debuted live on August 20, 2018 atThe Sweetener Sessions.^{[citation needed]}

She also performed the song live onBBC Radio 1 in September 2018,^[17] and on the one-hour special,Ariana Grande at the BBC, which was recorded on September 7, 2018, and aired on November 1.^[18]

This song was included on the set list of Grande'sSweetener World Tour.^[19]

Credits and personnel adapted from theliner notes ofSweetener.^[20]

Recording and management

• Recorded at Midnight Blue Studios (Miami, Florida) andConway Recording Studios (Hollywood, California)
• Mixed at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Mastered atSterling Sound (New York City)
• Published by EMI Pop Music Publishing/More Water From Nazareth (GMR)

Personnel

• Pharrell Williams production discography

• Audio onYouTube
• R.E.M. in BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge onYouTube

• 2018 songs
• Ariana Grande songs
• Beyoncé songs
• Song recordings produced by Pharrell Williams
• Songs written by Ariana Grande
• Songs written by Pharrell Williams
• T-Pain songs

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