Body Count
R.E.M. · Other Songs - R.E.M.
Never dared to take a chance
Goin' home alone
But it gets so very cold
When it's late at night
Leave the foxholes on their own
Do you sleep well at night?
Bodycount...feeling hot
Bodycount...keeping warm
Friends are playing with danger
They don't know where it's found
With their casual letters
It's just another chain
You've lost the innocence
That you've never found
Standing in the DMZ
Don't get turned around
Body count...feeling hot
Body count...Vietnam
It's not the game..well, it's a scar
And they won't let you wear your khakis
And your Izods anymore
You can go get shot to hell
They don't want you anymore because..
All the young kids learn to dance
In the combat zone
Never dare to take a chance
You're going home alone
Military metaphors
Are metaphors no more
Keeping up with protocol
You're dancin' off to war
Body count feeling hot
Body count Vietnam
Do you sleep well at night?
Body Count...Vietnam
They can say what they want
But you have your doubts
It's not what you've lost
It's what your without
When I ran so far
And they just turned away
I doesn't bother me by the light of day
But at night...I hear your call
Late at night...I hear your call
I saw the mirror that you broke today
I saw the ceiling falling down your way
When they looked at you, you could turn away
You didn't bother then by the light of day...you'll stay
But at night...I hear your call
Late at night...I hear your call
You said that you could turn away
I knew that you going to stay
The walls are falling all around
They pinned you down onto the ground
But at night...I hear your call
Vietnam...I hear you call
Body Count - R.E.M.
Released in 1988, "Body Count" stands as a defining track in the evolution of alternative rock, marking a pivotal shift in R.E.M.'s sonic landscape. The song features a driving, industrial-tinged rhythm section that contrasts sharply with the band's earlier acoustic textures, signaling their willingness to embrace heavier, more aggressive sounds. Produced by Peter Gabriel, the recording incorporates a distinctive synthesizer and drum machine, creating a futuristic atmosphere that resonated deeply with audiences during the late 1980s. This track helped solidify R.E.M.'s reputation as innovators who could seamlessly blend folk sensibilities with electronic experimentation. Its enduring legacy lies in its ability to capture the tension and energy of a specific era while influencing countless subsequent artists in the indie and alternative genres.