R.E.M.’s 1981 debut single “Radio Free Europe” is one of the undisputed classics of American underground rock, and its title nods toward a different kind of underground communication. R.E.M. named the song after Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the American radio networks that beamed their braodcasts into Soviet-controlled countries during the Cold War. R.E.M. aren’t an active band anymore, though they’re still down to get back together onstage if Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy are in town. But they don’t have to be an active band to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which is what they’re doing with a new reissue of their debut single.
