R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World” Video Annotated

Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the band's breakthrough album, Document

R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World

This month marks the 30th anniversary of R.E.M.’s breakthrough album, Document. To commemorate the iconic record’s success, Consequence of Sound has revisited the video for the smash single “It’s the End of the World” in a new annotated video.

(Read: Top 50 Albums of 1987)

Take a look above to learn more about the confounding stream-of-conscious lyrics, R.E.M.’s relationship with director James Herbert, and how the video’s star — a “White Trash Skater” named Noah Ray — feels about his role in the clip.

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