For the bulk of “Nightswimming”, there are just two musicians: Michael Stipe on vocals and Mike Mills on piano. The fact that this song came out in the height of grunge is telling. It flew in the face of the times. But it’s remembered fondly by many. “Nightswimming” went in circles, but had intrigue through its story. For those of us who have skinny-dipping nights etched into our memory, this song brings us right back to those moments.

“Nightswimming deserves a quiet night. The photograph on the dashboard, taken years ago. Turned around backwards so the windshield shows. Every streetlight reveals the picture in reverse. Still, it's so much clearer. I forgot my shirt at the water's edge. The moon is low tonight.”