Initially planning to make a big rock record, R.E.M. decided to focus on acoustic sounds and dark themes on their eighth and, perhaps, most celebrated album.
R.E.M. named the 'Document' track "Lightnin' Hopkins" after the Texas bluesman, in spite of the song's lyrics having nothing to do with the late musician.
If 'Document' was the turning point for R.E.M., then “The One I Love” served as the hinge. The song was released as the album's lead single in August 1987,