All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)

"All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)"
File:R.E.M. - All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star).jpg
Single by R.E.M.
from the album Reveal
B-side	"165 Hillcrest"
Released	July 23, 2001
Format	CD, DVD
Recorded	2001
Genre	Alternative rock, college rock
Length	4:43
Label	Warner Bros.
Writer(s)	Buck, Mills, Stipe
Producer(s)	Pat McCarthy and R.E.M.
R.E.M. singles chronology
"Imitation of Life" (2001) "All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)" (2001) "I'll Take the Rain" (2001)

"All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)" is a song by R.E.M., from their twelfth album Reveal, the second single released from that album. According to Peter Buck's sleevenotes to In Time, the R.E.M. best-of on which this song appears, the song describes someone who believes they can get famous if they go to Reno. The working title of the song was "Jimmy Webb on Mars", which, according to Buck's notes, was a "sick tribute to a songwriter who we all admire."

The single did not chart in the USA but reached #24 in the UK Singles Chart.

The B-side live performances were recorded at the South Africa Freedom Day concert in Trafalgar Square, London, which was held in honour of South African President Nelson Mandela. The event marked the 7th anniversary of democracy in South Africa.

The song's video was shot at Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School in the Prospect Park area of Brooklyn, New York. It was directed by Michael Moore and filmed by four students from the host and other local schools: Chris, 17; Steve, 17; Andy, 18; Charlotte, 13; Roger, 18; and Juan, 17. In the video, Peter Buck and Mike Mills can be seen entering the Career Guidance office with their respective instruments in hand, only to leave armed with nothing more than a dustpan and brush. Bertis Downs makes an appearance as the school's announcer, only to have his microphone commandeered by one Michael Stipe.

Track listings

• All songs written by Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe, except where indicated.

UK CD

1. "All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)" – 4:44
2. "Yellow River" (Christie) – 2:36
3. "Imitation of Life" (Live) – 3:54¹
4. "Imitation of Life" (Live) (enhanced video)¹

UK DVD

1. "All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)" (video)
2. "Yellow River" (audio) – 2:36
3. "165 Hillcrest" (audio) – 1:34

German CD

1. "All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)" – 4:44
2. "165 Hillcrest" – 1:34

¹ Recorded at Trafalgar Square, London, England; April 29, 2001.

Charts

Chart (2001)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	24

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics