Voice of Harold

Voice of Harold

R.E.M.

This is literally just the liner notes to a gospel album by The Revelaires that the band’s producer, Don Dixon, found in the attic of the studio.

During the recording of the album Reckoning (specifically, the song “7 Chinese Bros.”), lead singer Michael Stipe reportedly sang his part so quietly that it was almost completely inaudible. Stipe was in a state of extreme mental fatigue from the band’s sudden-popularity breakneck tour schedule and, as a result, was extremely withdrawn and introverted throughout the Reckoning sessions.

Frustrated with Stipe’s timid performance, producer Don Dixon halted the sessions and went into the studio attic, where he found an old gospel record by a band called The Revelaires titled The Joy of Knowing Jesus. He noticed the oddly hyperbolic liner notes and thought that Stipe might find them interesting (hopefully, he’d be inspired enough by them to get out of his own head and sing). So Dixon gave Stipe the record and, unexpectedly, Stipe began singing the liner notes on the next take – very loudly, this time. Dixon’s idea somehow worked, Stipe came out of his shell and the results were saved.

“Voice of Harold” was first released as a B-side to “So. Central Rain” in May 1984 and was also included on the rarities compilation Dead Letter Office in 1987.

The Revelaires actually did get wind of this song: some members weren’t too impressed, but others thought it was hilarious.