Which R.E.M. song is about the comedian Andy Kaufman?

R.E.M.'s song about comedian Andy Kaufman is “Man on the Moon.” It appeared on the band's 1992 album Automatic for the People and was released as a single later that year.

The song's lyrics, written by lead singer Michael Stipe, refer to Kaufman's unusual comedy career, including his impersonation of Elvis Presley and his controversial professional-wrestling performances. The repeated question “If you believed they put a man on the moon” links Kaufman's interest in blurring reality and performance with broader questions about belief and deception.

The music began with an instrumental idea from drummer Bill Berry and was developed by Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and Stipe. The song later lent its title to the 1999 biographical film Man on the Moon, starring Jim Carrey as Kaufman. “The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite,” “Radio Free Europe,” and “Superman” are different R.E.M. songs.