"What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" is a song by American alternative rock band R.E.M. from their ninth studio album, ''

Monster A monster is a type of fictional creature found in horror, fantasy, science fiction, folklore, mythology and religion. Monsters are very often depicted as dangerous and aggressive with a strange, grotesque appearance that causes terror and fe ...

'' (1994). The song's title refers to an incident in New York City in 1986, when two then-unknown assailants attacked journalist Dan Rather, while repeating "Kenneth, what is the frequency?" The song was the first single taken from the album and was released on September 5, 1994. It peaked at number 21 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, number 2 in Canada, number 4 in New Zealand, and number 9 on the UK Singles Chart. In Iceland, it peaked at number 1 for four weeks. It was the first song to debut at number one on the ''Billboard''

Modern Rock Tracks Alternative Airplay (formerly known as Modern Rock Tracks (1988–2009) and Alternative Songs (2009–2020)) is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in ''Billboard'' magazine since September 10, 1988. It ranks the 40 most-played ...

chart. "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" was placed on R.E.M.'s compilation albums '' In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003'' in 2003 and '' Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982–2011'' in 2011, the only track from ''Monster'' to feature on either. The song was one of the band's most-played songs at live gigs, and was played at every show on their 2008 ''Accelerate'' tour. A live version was released on '' R.E.M. Live'' in 2007.

History

Background and recording

R.E.M. began work on ''

'' in August 1993 and "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" was realized about two months later in October. This song was written and recorded at Kingsway Studio, New Orleans, where the band also wrote and recorded "Tongue" and "

Crush with Eyeliner "Crush with Eyeliner" is a song by American rock band R.E.M., released as the fourth single from their ninth studio album, '' Monster'' (1994). Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore provides background vocals. Michael Stipe claims the song was inspired b ...

". Lead singer Michael Stipe has said in interviews that the lyrics are about the Generation X phenomenon in contemporary mass media, sung in character as an older critic whose information consists exclusively of media products. Guitarist Peter Buck explained why the song slows towards its conclusion in an interview with ''

Guitar World ''Guitar World'' is a monthly music magazine for guitarists – and fans of guitar-based music and trends – that has been published since July 1980. ''Guitar World'', the best-selling guitar magazine in the United States, contains original art ...

'' magazine:

Post-release

"What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" made its first live television debut on November 12, 1994, for '' Saturday Night Live'', recorded at NBC Studios in New York City. The set on the show opened with "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" and was followed by two other songs from the new album, ''Monster'', " Bang and Blame" and "I Don't Sleep, I Dream". The following year, on June 22, 1995, at

Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as The Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh and Eighth avenues from 31st to 33rd Street, above Pennsylva ...

in New York City, Dan Rather accompanied the band during a

soundcheck A sound check is the preparation that takes place before a concert, speech, or similar performance to adjust the sound on the venue's sound reinforcement or public address system. The performer and the audio engineers run through a small port ...

performance of the song. The clip was shown prior to R.E.M.'s performance of "

" on the ''

Late Show with David Letterman The ''Late Show with David Letterman'' is an American late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS, the first iteration of the The Late Show (franchise), ''Late Show'' franchise. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and was produced by ...

'' the following night.

Critical reception

Steve Baltin from ''

Cash Box ''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', was an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...

'' said "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" is "a strong song, but it’s not as much a single as the introduction to the most eagerly anticipated record of the fall. On that level, it’s a smashing success. The song literally explodes onto the airwaves with an updated version of classic guitar rock before the booming of the drums takes the song into Michael Stipe’s unique vocals. From there, the track weaves its way through various rock tempos without ever losing the momentum from its initial burst of energy." Pan-European magazine ''

Music & Media ''Music & Media'' was a pan-European magazine for radio, music and entertainment. It was published for the first time in 1984 as ''Eurotipsheet'', but in 1986 it changed name to ''Music & Media''. It was originally based in Amsterdam, but later ...

'' wrote, "Are they losing their religion? Radically breaking with the tradition of their last semi-acoustic CDs, R.E.M. give a first taste of the "heavy Monstersound" of the new one." Alan Jones of '' Music Week'' said, "Kenneth is the most straightforward rock song the group has done in years, a full-throttle aural assault and very intense. With bonus live tracks, this one will sell."

Music video

Shot in Hollywood, California, in August 1994, the music video was directed by Peter Care, who had previously worked with the band on music videos for "

Drive Drive or The Drive may refer to: Motoring * Driving, the act of controlling a vehicle * Road trip, a journey on roads Roadways Roadways called "drives" may include: * Driveway, a private road for local access to structures, abbreviated "drive" ...

" and " Man on the Moon" in 1992. It features the band playing along to the song under bright blue, red, yellow and green flashing lights. Michael Stipe appears timid behind the microphone until the first chorus, breaking into an energetic dance. Prominent in the guitar solo, Peter Buck uses

Kurt Cobain Kurt Donald Cobain (February 20, 1967 – April 5, 1994) was an American musician who served as the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter of the rock band Nirvana. Through his angst-fueled songwriting and anti-establishment persona ...

Jag-Stang The Fender Jag-Stang is an electric guitar produced by Fender and designed by Nirvana guitarist/vocalist Kurt Cobain. It was intended as a hybrid of two Fender electric guitars models: the Jaguar and the Mustang. Origins Cobain suggested his id ...

that he received as a gift from Courtney Love after Cobain died; he plays it upside-down as Cobain was left-handed. Singer Stipe's newly shaven head and bassist Mike Mills's new look (long-hair and the use of Nudie suits) prominent on the 1995 ''Monster'' world tour, were given wide exposure in this video. The suit seen in the music video was owned by musician Gram Parsons. The DVD companion to ''

In Time ''In Time'' is a 2011 American science fiction action film written, directed and produced by Andrew Niccol. Amanda Seyfried and Justin Timberlake star as inhabitants of a society which uses time from one's lifespan as its primary currency, with ...

'', entitled '' In View: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003'' (featuring the promotional videos to most of the songs from ''In Time'') included the music video to "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?".

Track listings

All songs were written by

Bill Berry William Thomas Berry (born July 31, 1958) is an American musician who was the drummer for the alternative rock band R.E.M. Although best known for his economical drumming style, Berry also played other instruments, including guitar, bass guitar ...

, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe. US CD and cassette single # "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" – 3:59 # "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" (instrumental version) – 3:59 UK 7-inch and cassette single # "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" – 3:59 # "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" (K version) – 3:59 UK, European, Australian, and Japanese CD single # "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" – 3:59 # "Monty's Got a Raw Deal" (live) – 4:22 # " Everybody Hurts" (live) – 5:41 # " Man on the Moon" (live) – 5:24 The live recordings of "Monty Got a Raw Deal", "Everybody Hurts" and "Man on the Moon" were recorded at the

40 Watt Club The 40 Watt Club is a music venue in Athens, Georgia. Along with CBGB, the Whisky a Go Go, and selected others, it was instrumental in launching American punk rock and new wave music. The 40 Watt Club was the primary performance space for numero ...

, Athens, Georgia on November 19, 1992. The performance—a benefit for

Greenpeace Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning network, founded in Canada in 1971 by Irving Stowe and Dorothy Stowe, immigrant environmental activists from the United States. Greenpeace states its goal is to "ensure the ability of the Earth t ...

—was recorded in a solar-powered mobile studio.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

External links

What's the Frequency, Kenneth?
Songfacts.com. {{DEFAULTSORT:What's The Frequency, Kenneth 1994 singles R.E.M. songs Number-one singles in Iceland Songs written by Bill Berry Songs written by Peter Buck Songs written by Mike Mills Songs written by Michael Stipe Warner Records singles Songs based on actual events Song recordings produced by Scott Litt Song recordings produced by Michael Stipe Song recordings produced by Mike Mills Song recordings produced by Bill Berry Song recordings produced by Peter Buck Glam rock songs Grunge songs 1994 songs Garage rock songs