Tuesday Tune: R.E.M — Orange Crush (Green Album 1988)

On the surface, R.E.M.’s Orange Crush is a catchy rock tune with a driving beat that will make you want to crank it up and sing along. However, beneath the seemingly innocuous lyrics lies a deeper meaning and a not-so-subtle jab at a dark chapter in American history.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the title “Orange Crush” is talking about squash or pop or soda as the Americans would say. It’s actually a reference to Agent Orange, the deadly defoliant used by the U.S. military in the Vietnam War. The song paints a picture of a young man, possibly a football star (“Friday night hero”), leaving behind the familiar (“goodbye to friends”) for a faraway conflict (“shipping out to sea”).

The song doesn’t dwell on the horrors of war, but the music itself hints at unease. The rapid-fire drumming mimics machine-gun fire, and singer Michael Stipe’s vocals have a sense of urgency. There’s also a sense of loss, with the repeated line “sliding down the back of his dreams.” Is it the loss of innocence, the loss of a future, or both?

Orange Crush wasn’t a full-on protest song. Back in the late 80s, the Vietnam War was still a raw wound for many, and R.E.M. chose a more subtle approach. They snuck the message in with a catchy melody, a strategy that made the song a hit and helped propel them to greater fame.

So, next time you hear “Orange Crush,” tap your foot along, but remember the bite hidden beneath the fizz. It’s a reminder that even the most innocent-sounding things can have a dark side.