Bros Quote by Michael Stipe
“When we signed with Warner Bros., they knew what they were getting. They knew they weren't going to get some easily manipulated prepackaged pop group. That was not going to happen. What they wanted, I think, was the integrity that we had to offer. What they wanted was the kind of street cred or cache that R.E.M. could bring to them and the chance that we would give them a hit or two. What happened was we gave them a bunch of hits. And we became huge.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Rolling Stone, 1992, Michael Stipe on Warner Bros. deal
The label sought authenticity and street credibility, expecting the band to deliver hits while preserving artistic integrity.
In simple terms: Record companies want both credibility and commercial success.
Key Takeaway
Balance artistic integrity with commercial expectations.
Themes
music industry
authenticity
commercial success
Mood
insightful
critical
inspirational
Type
industry
creative
strategic
When to use this quote
- label negotiations
- album releases
- tour planning
- branding strategies
- media interviews
Key Concepts
integrity
street cred
hit production
Questions to Reflect On
- How can artists maintain authenticity under label demands?
- What trade‑offs exist between credibility and sales?
A Different Perspective
Commercial pressure can compromise artistic vision.
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![“I simply constructed a project to try to snap Kurt [Cobain] out of a frame of mind. I sent him a plane ticket and a driver, and he tacked the plane ticket to the wall in the bedroom and the driver sat outside the house for 10 hours. Kurt wouldn't come out and wouldn't answer the phone.” quote by Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/208/michael-stipe-6714_answers_i-simply-constructed-a-project-to-try-to_117192.jpg)
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