10 Reasons Why R.E.M. Should Never Reunite

R.E.M.

Some iconic bands choose to stay together for decades and others break up, only to reunite years later. There are some bands, however, that would do well for themselves not to reunite at all. REM is one of those bands rock bands. If you have any doubts about that statement, here are 10 reasons why it’s absolutely correct.

1. They have nothing left to prove

Some bands feel like they have something to prove, but that isn’t the case with REM. As far as they are concerned, they have already been there and done that, so to speak. As a result, they don’t feel like they need to get together again in order to prove that they still know how to play music. By all accounts, this is an opinion that is widely shared among industry professionals and fans alike.

2. Sometimes the past should be left in the past

It’s fun to be nostalgic sometimes, but that doesn’t mean that people need to spend the second half of their lives living in the past. After all, there is a distinct difference between feeling nostalgic and participating in a pitiful attempt to recreate something that is already long gone. There is a reason that people sometimes say you can’t go back again. Other bands have done it, but it hardly ever works out the way they want it to. Why should REM follow suit when they don’t need to?

3. Money is definitely not an issue

Sometimes bands reunite because they have to. Even though they might have made a lot of money when they were in the prime of their career, that doesn’t mean that they still have enough left to live the comfortable lifestyle they have become accustomed to. When that happens, they usually end up back on the road, trying to make enough money to fix their situation. REM has openly stated that they don’t need the money, so there is no need for them to get back together for financial reasons.

4. Legacy is everything

Artists love the idea of leaving a legacy behind, especially when it is a good one. If a band is remembered fondly by its fans, there is a certain amount of risk involved in getting back out there. What if things don’t go according to plan? Some bands prefer not to put their legacy in jeopardy. REM seems to be the leader of the pack in this particular line of thinking.

5. 10 years is a long time

The band hasn’t been active for 10 years. After all that time, it really doesn’t make sense for them to reunite. Since they officially called it quits, the band members have been involved in their own endeavors. Everyone deserves the chance to pursue their own goals at some point. That can be hard to do when you’re part of a group because everything is a compromise. Conversely, when you are on your own, you have a better shot at doing things your way.

6. They left on good terms

So many of the bands that end up going back out on tour didn’t get along when they were touring together the first time around. It’s almost as if they want to reunite in order to make amends, but that usually isn’t the way things end up going. It’s sometimes hard to understand how they think they will get along the second time if they couldn’t do so before. At any rate, it doesn’t usually go well. REM went their separate ways on good terms, so this isn’t even an issue.

7. They did exactly what they wanted to do

The band members themselves have said that they already accomplished everything they ever wanted to. Apparently, the fans also agree. If that’s the case, there is no reason for them to reunite. It just doesn’t make any sense.

8. Public taste in music changes

Even if they wanted to get back together, the public’s taste in music changes from time to time. Things aren’t always going to stay the same. Even the most popular bands from several years ago may not be able to make a go of things in the current music industry. Furthermore, it’s not just fans that can be fickle. The way the entire industry is operated has changed dramatically over the course of the last several years. For bands that are accustomed to doing things old-school, this may not be so appealing.

9. The repetitive culture can get, well, repetitive

Why is it that almost everything (and everyone) wants to rehash the things that have already been done? It doesn’t matter if you are talking about music or movies, all anyone seems to be interested in these days is to repeat what has already been done. It’s like the very people responsible for creativity have suddenly lost the ability to create. Many of REM’s fans have moved on to other music. REM themselves have made it clear that they want to move on as well. In fact, they see no need for this repetitive culture. Again, the fans seem to agree.

10. They don’t want to get back together

The last reason that this great band should never get back together is perhaps the most important reason of all. They don’t want to. It never works out when you try to force people to do something they don’t want to do. Even if they strive their hardest to do well, it’s almost impossible to act inspired to do something when your heart just isn’t in it. If the members of REM don’t want to get together, then there is no reason why they should. How sad would it be to see them perform a lackluster concert, especially for dedicated fans? It’s really much better to just relive good memories in one’s mind and let it go at that.

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