Seven Chinese Brothers
R.E.M. · Reckoning [1984]
Take in one symphony now, we've just begun to battle
Wrap your heel in bones of steel, turn the leg, a twist of color
Autumn waited hold it to you in the colored come another
Seven chinese brothers swallowing the ocean
Seven thousand years to sleep away the pain
She will return, she will return
This mellow, sweet, short-haired boy, woman offers pull up a seat
Take in one symphony now, we've just begun to battle
Wrap your heel in bones of steel, turn the leg, a twist of color
Autumn waded seven seas swimming colored come another
Seven chinese brothers swallowing the ocean
Seven thousand years to sleep away the pain
She will return, she will return
This mellow, sweet, short-haired boy, woman offers pull up a chair
Take in one symphony now, I guess we lost that battle
Wrap your heel in bones of steel, turn the leg, a twist of color
Autumn waded seven seas swimming colored come another
Seven chinese brothers swallowing the ocean
Seven thousand years the Communi did reign
She will return, she will return
Seven Chinese Brothers
Released on R.E.M.'s 1984 debut album Reckoning, "Seven Chinese Brothers" stands as a defining track of the band's early sound, blending indie rock with a distinct, melancholic atmosphere. The song features the characteristic interplay between Peter Buck's jangly guitar work and Michael Stipe's emotive vocals, establishing the group's signature style that would later evolve into their more complex arrangements. As a key component of their initial discography, the recording captures the raw energy and introspective mood of the mid-1980s indie scene, influencing countless artists who followed. Its enduring presence in R.E.M.'s catalog highlights the band's ability to craft memorable, atmospheric tracks that resonate across generations of listeners.