"Texarkana" is a song from R.E.M.'s studio album Out of Time. Though not released as an official single, it managed to chart at number 4 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 6 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. This song was written, musically and lyrically, by bassist Mike Mills (credited to Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe), as vocalist Michael Stipe had been having problems for weeks trying to come up with lyrics for it. As a result, Mills also sang lead vocals. The title is a reference to the city of Texarkana (located on the border of Texas and Arkansas), originally mentioned in the chorus before it was changed. As heard on the Outtakes of Time bootleg as well as Out of Time's 25th Anniversary edition, Stipe's original chorus was "When I'm out in Texarkana / where's that county line / another county line." Charts Personnel R.E.M. Bill Berry – drums Peter Buck – guitar Mike Mills – bass guitar, keyboards, lead vocals Michael Stipe – backing vocals Additional musicians Peter Holsapple – acoustic guitar David Arenz – violin Ellie Arenz – violin Mark Bingham – string arrangements David Braitberg – violin Andrew Cox – cello Reid Harris – viola Ralph Jones – double bass John Keane – pedal steel guitar Dave Kempers – violin Elizabeth Murphy – cello Paul Murphy – viola References R.E.M. songs 1991 songs Texarkana Songs about Texas Songs written by Bill Berry Songs written by Peter Buck Songs written by Mike Mills Songs written by Michael Stipe Song recordings produced by Scott Litt Song recordings produced by Michael Stipe Song recordings produced by Mike Mills Song recordings produced by Bill Berry Song recordings produced by Peter Buck