'80s. college rock like r.e.m. was something new entirely. ♪ follow me, yeah follow me i got my spine i've got my orange crush ♪ >> the way that peter buck played guitar and the way that stipe sang where the voice was incredible but you couldn't quite figure out what he was saying, it just made them more alluring and mysterious, you could get why that band would become huge. ♪ >> it wasn't new wave, it wasn't a new romantic. they started calling it alternative music. ♪ it's the end of the world as we know it ♪ ♪ it's the end of the world as we know it ♪ ♪ and i feel fine ♪ ♪ fine fine fine fine ♪ >> you know, this is the thing about the '80s. everyone thinks it's about crazy haircuts, lots of makeup, insane clothes, and it was.