Sweetly melancholy, R.E.M.’s 1993 track “Nightswimming” pairs a simple piano melody with Michael Stipe’s nostalgic lyrics about youthful innocence and nighttime skinny-dips. The gentle arrangement (with orchestral strings) and Stipe’s vulnerable vocals create an intimate atmosphere that feels like a personal memory. Though not a huge radio hit, the song became a critical favorite and a fan treasure, often lauded for its beautiful simplicity. Listening feels like gazing at moonlit water — intimate, reflective, and timeless.