R.E.M., Out of Time turns 35 and keeps charting in Germany
Published on 08/24/2026 at 06:41 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
R.E.M. remain a reference point in alternative rock as their 1991 album Out of Time marks its 35th anniversary in 2026 and continues to resonate strongly in Germany. According to BVMI-certified sales data, the record has reached five Gold awards in Germany with 1,250,000 units sold.
Out of Time at 35, with a German chart footprint
The 35th anniversary of Out of Time falls on March 12, 2026, 35 years after its original release on March 12, 1991 on Warner Bros. Records. A detailed anniversary feature highlights how the album expanded R.E.M.’s sound beyond college rock into wider pop territory.
German certification lists show Out of Time with five Gold awards from the BVMI, corresponding to around 1.25 million certified sales in Germany. An aggregated discography overview also notes that the album peaked at number 2 on the German albums chart, underlining its local impact across the early 1990s.
What the current charts and streams show
Streaming trackers document that R.E.M.’s catalog still performs at scale in 2026, with Germany explicitly among the active territories. On August 14, 2026, Spotify statistics gathered by chart site Kworb show Losing My Religion with around 22.6 million global streams in a single day, placing the song firmly in the mid-range of the worldwide ranking while including daily plays from Germany.
The same dataset credits R.E.M. with roughly 5.5 billion cumulative Spotify streams across more than 600 tracks by August 20, 2026, and a daily total of around 2.2 million plays for the band’s songs. For German listeners this streaming strength complements historical chart figures such as Shiny Happy People peaking at number 10 in the country’s official singles chart and staying in the Top 100 for 15 weeks.
R.E.M. in charts, streams and legacy
Readers who follow R.E.M.’s catalog can dive deeper into anniversaries, chart runs and tribute activity via our internal archive and the band’s official channels.
The musical core of Out of Time
Out of Time is often described as the album where R.E.M. leaned into folk-pop, baroque arrangements and mandolin-driven melodies while still retaining the band’s alternative rock roots. Its tracklist includes Losing My Religion, Shiny Happy People, Near Wild Heaven and Radio Song, songs that pulled the band from college radio into a broader mainstream audience.
The record took the group to the top of several national charts, reaching number one in the US and the UK and topping lists in territories such as Austria, Canada and the Netherlands. In Germany the peak at number 2 still represented a substantial jump compared with earlier studio albums, helping to establish R.E.M. as a core part of the country’s rock and pop programming in the early 1990s.
Where R.E.M. stand today
As of late August 2026, R.E.M. have no officially announced live date and are considered retired from active touring and recording, while their songs continue to circulate through streaming platforms and tribute shows.
R.E.M. at a glance
- Act: R.E.M.
- Genre: Alternative rock, college rock, folk-pop
- Origin: Athens, Georgia, United States
- Active since: 1980
- Lineup: Michael Stipe (vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass, keyboards); Bill Berry (drums, until 1997)
- Label: I.R.S. Records (early years), Warner Bros. Records
- Key works: Murmur (1983), Document (1987), Out of Time (1991), Automatic for the People (1992)
- Current album/single: Collapse Into Now (studio album, released March 7, 2011)
- Charts / certifications: Out of Time – 5× Gold (BVMI, Germany) with around 1.25 million certified sales; Shiny Happy People – peak at number 10 in the German singles chart with 15 weeks in the Top 100; Losing My Religion – around 22.6 million daily Spotify streams on August 14, 2026
- Next live date: currently no announced official live date
Frequently asked questions about R.E.M.
How successful was Out of Time in Germany?
Out of Time peaked at number 2 on the German albums chart and has been awarded five Gold certifications by the BVMI, corresponding to around 1.25 million certified sales in Germany.
Is R.E.M. currently touring?
R.E.M. are not touring as an active band in 2026 and have no officially announced live dates. Their songs are instead heard in tribute shows and through streaming platforms.
How strong is Losing My Religion on streaming services in 2026?
Spotify chart data for August 14, 2026 lists Losing My Religion with around 22.6 million global streams in a single day and credits the band’s catalog with roughly 5.5 billion cumulative streams across more than 600 tracks.
Which R.E.M. songs performed best in German charts?
Shiny Happy People reached number 10 in the German singles chart and stayed there for 15 weeks. Near Wild Heaven peaked at number 71 with a two-week run, while other singles had shorter appearances.
What role does Germany play in R.E.M.’s legacy?
Germany has been one of the stronger markets for R.E.M., with high certified sales for Out of Time and Automatic for the People, repeat catalog appearances in local digital charts and steady streaming activity for key singles.
This article was produced with AI assistance and editorially checked. Sources are linked in the text. Dates, chart positions and certifications may change at short notice; correction notices are welcome via the editorial contact on our imprint/contact page.
