the song four out of five and named it Pick of the Week. He declared it as a "rather intense song", adding that "The usual assortment of exclusive live tracks will convert this into another big hit." Parry Gettelman from Orlando Sentinel felt that "a repetitive piano riff and swelling strings overwhelm the slight tune." In a 1992 review of the album, Rolling Stone writer Paul Evans said, "R.E.M. has never made music more gorgeous than 'Nightswimming'", calling it a "masterpiece". In 2011, a Rolling Stone Readers Poll ranked "Nightswimming" as R.E.M.’s second best song, behind "Losing My Religion". Rolling Stone noted, “The track didn't do that well as a single, but in the past 20 years it's slowly become one of R.E.M.'s most beloved songs.” In 2021, it was listed at No. 160 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Music video A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by filmmaker Jem Cohen. Two versions of the video were made with the uncensored version of the video included on the Parallel video compilation. The British version was later published on YouTube in October 2009, and had generated more than 10 million views as of January 2023. Cover versions A cover of the song by Dashboard Confessional is featured on disc two of their album A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar. Another cover of the song by British-alternative group Gene is featured as a B-side to their 1997 single "Where Are They Now?". The song was performed by Coldplay with Michael Stipe on their Austin City Limits performance. During the show, Chris Martin called "Nightswimming" "the best song ever written." Ingrid Michaelson created a cover based around using a looper pedal for a charity event at Carnegie Hall. The song was performed by Sugarland on their 2009 live album Live on the Inside. "Nightswimming" is also included on the Stereogum Presents... Drive XV: A Tribute to Automatic for the People with versions by The Wrens and You Say Party! We Say Die!. Azure Ray, who originally formed in Athens, covered "Nightswimming" on their 2018 EP Waves. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit covered the song on their 2021 album Georgia Blue. Track listing All songs written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe. 7" Single "Nightswimming" – 4:16 "Losing My Religion" (acoustic live) – 4:55 12" and CD Maxi-Single