Conversation so far:
How did R.E.M. come up with the composition of Man on the Moon?
Man on the Moon is a mid-tempo country-rock song following a verse-chorus structure with an added pre-chorus and an instrumental bridge following the second-third choruses.
Who composed the music for the song Man on the Moon by R.E.M.?
The lyrics were written by lead singer Michael Stipe, and the music by drummer Bill Berry and guitarist Peter Buck, and credited to the whole band as usual.
Did it take a long time for R.E.M. to compose Man on the Moon?
What are the major instruments in the composition of R.E.M.'s Man on the Moon?
Bass and Guitar
What genre is R.E.M.'s Man on the Moon?
Country rock
How many people were involved all together with composing R.E.M.'s Man on the Moon?
What is the most interesting thing regarding the composition of R.E.M.'s Man on the Moon?
The song is somewhat unusual in that the verses are unequal in length, with six lines in the first verse but only four in the second and third verses.

Question: which came first, lyrics or composition?
Self-contained rewrite: Which came first, the lyrics or composition in R.E.M.'s Man on the Moon?