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

"All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)" is a song by American rock band R.E.M. It was released on July 23, 2001 as the second single from the band's twelfth studio album, Reveal (2001). According to Peter Buck's sleevenotes to In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003, the R.E.M. compilation on which this song also appears, the song describes someone who believes they can get famous if they go to Reno, Nevada. 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 on the US Billboard Hot 100, but it did reach number 24 on the UK Singles Chart, number 31 in Italy, and number 34 in Ireland.

"All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)"
Single by R.E.M.
from the album Reveal
B-side	"165 Hillcrest", "Yellow River", "Imitation of Life" (live from Trafalgar Square)
Released	July 23, 2001 (2001-07-23)
Length	4:43
Label	Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	Peter Buck Mike Mills Michael Stipe^[1]
Producer(s)	Pat McCarthy 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)

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.^[2]

Music video

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^[3] 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 Michael Stipe.

The video was included with the iTunes Store bonus music videos released along with Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982–2011, the band's swan song and career-spanning compilation. The song was not, however, included on the compilation itself.

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
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[4]	84
Germany (Official German Charts)^[5]	92
Ireland (IRMA)^[6]	34
Italy (FIMI)^[7]	31
Scotland (OCC)^[8]	20
UK Singles (OCC)^[9]	24
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)^[10]	8

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United Kingdom	July 23, 2001 (2001-07-23)	CD cassette DVD	Warner Bros.	^[11]
Australia	August 6, 2001 (2001-08-06)	CD		^[12]
United States	August 13, 2001 (2001-08-13)	Triple A radio		^[13]
	August 14, 2001 (2001-08-14)	Active rock alternative radio		^[13]

References

1. . R.E.M.Hq. December 18, 2011. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
2. "R.E.M. PLAY FOR MANDELA". NME. April 29, 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
3. R.E.M. HQ [@remhq] (May 14, 2020). "REVEAL, R.E.M.'s 12th studio LP, was released on May 14, 2001. Here's the video for the second single, "All The Way To Reno (You're Gonna Be A Star)", directed by Michael Moore" (Tweet). Retrieved December 15, 2021 – via Twitter.
4. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 19, no. 33. August 11, 2001. p. 7. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
5. "R.E.M. – All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
6. "Irish-charts.com – Discography R.E.M.". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
7. "R.E.M. – All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)". Top Digital Download. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
8. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
10. "R.E.M. Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
11. "New Releases – For Week Starting July 23, 2001: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. July 21, 2001. p. 27. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
12. "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 6th August 2001" (PDF). ARIA. August 6, 2001. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2002. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
13. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1414. August 10, 2001. pp. 95, 104, 111. Retrieved August 14, 2021.