| Pop Song | Live | Recd | Maps and Legends |
| Radar Love: (George Kooymans / Barry Hay) | 1984 | Also live 1987: The Mystery Twins | |
| Radio Free Europe: | 1981 | 1981 | |
| Radio Free Europe (Dub Version): | 1981 | ||
| Radio Song: | 1991 | 1991 | Also live 1991: Bingo Hand Job |
| Radio Song (Monster Mix): | 1991 | ||
| Radio Song (Tower of Luv Bug Mix): | 1991 | ||
| Rain: (John Lennon / Paul McCartney) | 1989 | Live 1989: Worst Case Scenarios | |
| R.A.I.N.N. (1): (PSA) | 1994 | Recd 1994: Michael Stipe as a PSA for Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (R.A.I.N.N.) | |
| R.A.I.N.N. (2): (PSA) | 1994 | Recd 1994: Mike Mills as a PSA for Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (R.A.I.N.N.) | |
| Ram On: (Paul McCartney) | 2000 | Live 2000: Peter Buck / The Minus 5 | |
| Raspberry Beret: (Prince) | 1986 | Recd 1986: Hindu Love Gods | |
| Rave On: (Buddy Holly) | 1981 | Also live 1986: R.E.M. w/ Jason Ringenberg | |
| Reason To Believe: (Tim Hardin) | 1991 | Live 1991: Bingo Hand Job | |
| Rebel Rebel: (David Bowie) | 1984 | Live 1984: Hindu Love Gods w/ Michael Stipe / Bryan Cook / Warren Zevon on vocals | |
| Red Rain: (Peter Gabriel) | 1986 | As a part of a medley | |
| Remember Me: | 1981 | 1983 | Known as That Beat |
| Respect: (Otis Redding) | 1980 | ||
| Rest Of The World, The: (Peter Buck / Scott McCaughey) | 1997 | 1997 | Live 1997: Peter Buck / The Minus 5 Recd 1997: Peter Buck / The Minus 5 |
| Return: (David Middelton / Paul Tiers) | 1987 | Recd 1987: Mike Mills / Waxing Poetics | |
| Revolution: | 1995 | 1997 | |
| Revolution: (John Lennon / Paul McCartney) | 1989 | Live 1989: Worst Case Scenarios | |
| Rhiannon: (Fleetwood Mac) | 1985 | ||
| Rhinestone Cowboy: (Larry Weiss) | 1993 | Live 1993: Played on a beatbox prior to a live performance by Michael Stipe / Vic Chesnutt | |
| Rhinoceros: (Jez Willis / Michael Stipe) | 2000 | Recd 2000: Michael Stipe / Utah Saints | |
| Ride: (Robyn Hitchcock) | 1991 | Recd 1991: Peter Buck / Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians | |
| Ride Me High: (Widespread Panic) | 2000 | Live 2000: Bill Berry / Widespread Panic | |
| Rifleman, The: (Scott McCaughey) | 2001 | 2000 | Live 2001: Peter Buck / The Minus 5 Recd 2000: Peter Buck / The Minus 5 |
| Right Side Of Town: (Kevn Kinney) | 1993 | Live 1993: Peter Buck / Kevn Kinney | |
| Ring Them Bones: (Robyn Hitchcock) | 1997 | 1999 | Live 1997: Peter Buck / Popsycle Shoppe Incident Recd 1999 P.Buck / Robyn Hitchcock |
| River People, The: (Robert Forster) | 1993 | Recd 1993: Peter Buck / The Walkabouts | |
| Riviera Nap: (Bill Berry / Davis Causey) | 2000 | Recd 2000: Bill Berry / Davis Causey / Armande Gil | |
| Roadhouse Blues: (Jim Morrison) | 2000 | Live 2000: Peter Buck / The Minus 5 | |
| Roadrunner: (Jonathan Richman) | 1980 | Also live 1987: Peter Buck / Raindogs | |
| Roadrunner: (Elias McDaniel) | 1988 | 1993 | Live 1988: Peter Buck / Mike Mills / The Cynics Recd 1993: Mike Mills / Backbeat Band (ost) |
| Rockin' In The Free World: (Neil Young) | 1990 | Live 1990: Peter Buck / Kevn Kinney | |
| Rockin' the Love Boat: (Brian Burke) | 1990 | Live 1990: Peter Buck / Brian Burke / Nikki Sudden / Crumpy | |
| Rock 'N' Roll Music: (Chuck Berry) | 1993 | Recd 1993: Mike Mills / Backbeat Band (ost) | |
| Rock 'N' Roll Nigger: (Patti Smith) | 1997 | Live 1997: Michael Stipe / Patti Smith Band | |
| Rock On: (David Essex) | 1984 | ||
| Romance: | 1981 | 1983 | Also known as Easy Come, Easy Go |
| Roof Is Leaking, The: (Dion & the Belmonts) | 1989 | Live 1989: Worst Case Scenarios | |
| Rotary Eleven: | 1990 | ||
| Rotary Ten: | 1989 | 1986 | |
| Rotary Thirteen: | 1991 | ||
| Route 66: (Troup) | 1983 | Also live 1989: Nigel & the Crosses | |
| Ruling Class: (Robyn Hitchcock) | 1989 | Recd 1989: Peter Buck / Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians | |
| Rumour, The : (Robbie Robertson) | 1989 | Live 1989: Worst Case Scenarios | |
| Runaway: (Shannon / Crook) | 1998 | Live 1998: Prelude to Walk Unafraid | |
| Runaway Train: (Soul Asylum) | 1993 | Live 1993: Peter Buck / Soul Asylum / Victoria Williams |