7 Chinese Bros.
"7 Chinese Bros." | |
---|---|
Song by R.E.M. | |
from the album Reckoning | |
Released | April 9, 1984 |
Genre | Alternative rock |
Length | 4:18 |
Label | I.R.S. |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) |
"7 Chinese Bros." is a song by R.E.M. that was first released on their 1984 album Reckoning.
Lyrics and music
The lyrics to "7 Chinese Bros.", as with many R.E.M. songs of this period, are somewhat mysterious.[1] The title and some of the lyrics were influenced by the 1938 children's book The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop.[1][2][3] In the book, the five brothers each have a special power, and the brother capable of swallowing the ocean agrees to do so in order that a young boy can collect fish from the dry seabed.[1][2][3] This seems to be the basis for the lyrics in the refrain about "Seven Chinese brothers swallowing the ocean," even though in the book only one of the brothers swallows the ocean.[1][2][3] Another line in the refrain, "She will return," has been interpreted to be a reference to Carol Levy, a friend of the band who had died in a car accident.[1][3] Lead singer Michael Stipe has stated that the song was about him once "breaking up a couple, and then dating both of them, a man and a woman, which is a terrible thing to do, but I was young and stupid."[3] This incident may be the inspiration for another line in the refrain "Seven thousand years to sleep away the pain."[3]
Writing and recording
According to Stipe, "7 Chinese Bros." was written in North Carolina.[6]
Stipe had difficulty recording "7 Chinese Bros." and in particular his first attempts at recording the vocal were too soft.
Reception
Allmusic critic
Cover versions
Chris and Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes covered "7 Chinese Bros." in an acoustic show in Portland 2020, with Peter Buck joining them as a guest guitarist.[9]
References
- ^ ISBN 1560251778.
- ^ a b c d e f Sullivan, Denise. "7 Chinese Bros". Allmusic. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
- ^ ISBN 9781891241680.
- ^ a b Connelly, Christopher (April 9, 1984). "Reckoning". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
- ^ Wawzenek, Bryan (September 22, 2006). "Collection reconstructs R.E.M.'s great early work". Northwest Herald. p. 17. Retrieved 2021-09-05 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Menconi, David (July 12, 2008). "R.E.M shows enduring power". The News and Observer. pp. 1E, 4E. Retrieved 2021-09-05 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ ISBN 9780879307769.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Reckoning". Allmusic. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
- ^ Martoccio, Angie (August 5, 2020). "Watch Chris and Rich Robinson Cover R.E.M. With Peter Buck". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-09-05.