Near Wild Heaven

"Near Wild Heaven" is a song by American rock band R.E.M., released in August 1991 as the third single from their seventh studio album, Out of Time (1991). The song was also the first single released by the band to have had its lyrics both co-written and sung by bassist Mike Mills. According to a quote from Peter Buck in R.E.M. Inside Out: The Stories Behind Every Song by Craig Rosen, the lyrics are a collaboration between Mills and lead singer Michael Stipe. It peaked at No. 27 on the UK Singles Chart but the single was not released in the United States. Mike Mills had written the lyrics to the single "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville", and he had sung the cover song "Superman", but he had not sung his own work on a released-as-a-single recording.

Critical reception
Barbara Ellen from NME wrote, "This whilst still gorgeous does not match 'Losing My Religion's maverick vision, or the ecstatic giggle of 'Shiny Happy People'." Parry Gettelman from Orlando Sentinel felt that "Near Wild Heaven" "already overdoes the contrast between dark-edged lyrics and a light-hearted melody by folding Mike Mills' lead vocal into a sugary arrangement. Adding strings to the recipe is like putting frosting on cherry pie."

Music video
The accompanying music video for "Near Wild Heaven" features the band playing the song in a crowded café. It playfully features the blurred image of Mills interrupting the line of sight to a television set, portending the fact that this song with not be your standard R.E.M. vocal fare.

Track listing
All songs written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe unless otherwise indicated.


 * 7" / cassette'''
 * 1) "Near Wild Heaven"
 * 2) "Pop Song '89" (live)1


 * 12"
 * 1) "Near Wild Heaven"
 * 2) "Pop Song '89" (live)1
 * 3) "Half a World Away" (live)2


 * CD
 * 1) "Near Wild Heaven" – 3:18
 * 2) "Tom's Diner" (Suzanne Vega) (live)1 – 2:04
 * 3) "Low" (live)1 – 4:59
 * 4) "Endgame" (live)1 – 3:28

Personnel
Personnel adapted from Out of Time liner notes

R.E.M.
 * Bill Berry – drums, percussion, piano, backing vocals
 * Peter Buck – guitar
 * Mike Mills – lead vocals, bass guitar
 * Michael Stipe – backing vocals

Additional personnel
 * David Arenz – violin
 * Ellie Arenz – violin
 * Mark Bingham – string arrangements
 * David Braitberg – violin
 * Andrew Cox – cello
 * Reid Harris – viola
 * Ralph Jones – double bass
 * Kidd Jordan – baritone saxophone
 * Dave Kempers – violin
 * Elizabeth Murphy – cello
 * Paul Murphy – viola
 * Jay Weigel – orchestral liaison