Six singles were released from R.E.M.'s album Automatic for the People: “Drive,” “Man on the Moon,” “The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite,” “Everybody Hurts,” “Nightswimming,” and “Find the River.”
Released in October 1992, Automatic for the People followed the enormous success of Out of Time but took a darker, more reflective direction. Although R.E.M. did not tour behind it, the album generated a substantial run of singles across 1992 and 1993, with releases varying by country and format.
The best-known single was “Everybody Hurts,” whose emotionally direct lyrics and orchestral arrangement made it one of the band’s signature songs. “Man on the Moon” also became a major international hit, while “Drive” opened the album and introduced its somber, expansive sound.
A common mix-up is counting promotional releases, regional singles, or album tracks separately. The standard album-level count is six official singles, not seven or five. Automatic for the People reached No. 2 in the United States and was later certified four-times platinum there.