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The Church — Reptile
Album: Starfish
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4367









Released: 1988
Length: 4:47
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Too dangerous to keep.
Too feeble to let go.
And you want to bite the hand.
Should have stopped this long ago.

Go now, you've been set free.
Another month or so you'll be gorging on me ("poisoning me" on 2nd and 3rd times)
With your lovely smile.
I see you slither away with your skin and your tail,
Your flickering tongue and your rattling scales
Like a real reptile.

Had you coiled around my arm.
How could you ever know
How I loved your diamond eyes?
But that was long ago. (Chorus)

And I should have believed Eve.
She said we had to blow.
She was the apple of my eye.
It wasn't long ago. (Chorus)
Comments (297)add comment
Church is on tour this summer with Afghan Whigs!!! Got tickets for Portland show.       
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Aw c'mon, teenagers aren't so dull.

#Grammar matters

I love this. That plucky intro. And then that despairing guitar lick. And THEN the drums kick in and its off to the races. Genius.
 rtrudeau wrote:

The segue from Vivaldi to this song gave me chills. 


Another great band from Down Under! 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
 farakon wrote:
I found the church dull as a teenager...

Aw c'mon, teenagers aren't so dull.
The segue from Vivaldi to this song gave me chills. 
 itsme_bygolly wrote:

Dobrodošli iz najsjajnijeg grada na zemlji. Nadam se da su stvari dobro s vama.



Dobro Jutro!   Zivjel! (Good morning. cheers!)   
 milos_k wrote:


haha.Ja te razumem.Pozdrav iz Novog Sada.Dobra stvar al je bas pustaju puno.

Dobrodošli iz najsjajnijeg grada na zemlji. Nadam se da su stvari dobro s vama.
Original sound. Super song. Discovered on R.P. Thank you R.P.
Saw Steve Kilbey perform the songs of the Church last night in Brunswick Heads NSW ,including Reptile!
It was a great gig- of music and mirthful tails
thanks RP


 BosniaMan wrote:

super stvar., pozdrav svima ako me ko razumije



haha.Ja te razumem.Pozdrav iz Novog Sada.Dobra stvar al je bas pustaju puno.
Gosh, you don't want to be sat next to your back surround speakers for this one. More of an effects rack than a song.
 renata05 wrote:

make it stop this song is so annoying!



There's always the skip button. That's what it's there for. 

Sigh......
A little concerned that even Bill can't resist the serpent in the garden telling him to make an awful "scaling musical heights" comment about this song.
It's been said before but bears repeating...WHFS in the days of olde!!!

A little background...back in the 70's/80's like any big city the rock airwaves of Washington DC suffered from commercial radio playlists dishing out the same ol' same ol' over and over again and for that sort of stuff there was DC101. Ugh! However at that time DC was also served by two non-mainstream / alternative radio stations that presented anything from everywhere except mainstream commercial. Independent radio station WHFS and Georgetown University's WGTB dished up musical flavors from every corner of the globe and international visitors and students from abroad or even from NYC, Pittsburgh or Hattiesburg helped by bringing in vinyl to these stations from their home locations. The original Nightclub 9:30 on F Street and DC Space a few blocks away showcased so many performers from everywhere except the top 40 kind. Local University of DC WDCU played great jazz. Between WHFS, WGTB and WDCU you didn't have to suffer "strictly from commercial" at all. DC is/was the Bluegrass capital of the US and there is/was American University's WAMU for that on weekends. Those Fleshtones weekends at 9:30 or Bad Brains or Razz or Danny Gatton or Henry Rollins in his tighty whiteys or Fugazi at any local club. That's all gone to the history books today but we remember while today we turn to streaming Radioparadise.
Thank you Bill and Rebecca! 
For me, this song, by this mad, talented group, lays down some of the tastiest guitar and vocal stylings on the planet! I love the perfectly timed, chiming CRANKED lead, the cross-cutting, screaming second guitar that weaves in and out, the frenetic drumming, and -- I love this song. It's a distinctive, iconic masterpiece! I worship The Church.
 Lessard0570 wrote:

La perfection caractérise parfois une chanson idéale, c'est-à-dire un moment musical qui réunit toutes les qualités et n'a pas de défaut.




Absolument d'accord!!
I have to check out their newer stuff since this is so good.
Not a huge fan of The Church but have to say there really is nothing to dislike here have 2  of their albums and  enjoy them on the rare occasion I get to spin any of them
Anyone else hear the similarity to Blue Oyster Cult?  I love the music of both groups
i just realized this is just another version of What I Like About You
Had there not been The Church and their records on our record players in the early 80s, we'd have been in grave danger of not being the coolest people in the room. Yuge influence, style-wise too. 
remember partying, having oyster shooters down at Awful Arthur's and Mexicano's Nags Head during my college daze to music like this., circa 1989.
You’ve been playing this a lot lately, I really like it I’ve never listen to them before they’re really pretty good
The riff alone makes it.
Another Brilliant track from another great Aussie band ... 10/10 every time. Awesome 👏 album too
 poetdancer wrote:
Love, love, love this song.  My favorite Church song. Especially the opening notes... Just saw them in Berkeley (opening for the Psychedelic Furs) and they were fantastic. 
 

»(opening for the Psychedelic Furs)«

It should have been the other way round!   PS. lucky you…
Among the best of alternative/underground radio. Starfish is a “top-shelf” album. 
Stellar groove on the heels of Vivaldi-Summer, Cracker -Sunshine in the land of Milk & Honey😆
A great song from an enduring and excellent band.
An 8-9 for the riff and backing music, a 5-6 for the vocals. 7 seems reasonable.
A good song from a great album. Some others like Hotel Womb, Lost and UTMW rise above, but Reptile is no doubt a good one!
 BosniaMan wrote:
super stvar., pozdrav svima ako me ko razumije
 Naravno rođak :)

super stvar., pozdrav svima ako me ko razumije
Memories.... 80's : The Church performing in Paradiso Amsterdam (former Church-building) Fantastic Performance
Love this track...the bass runs are too cool and that riff
A very cool band from down under
Love this one!
make it stop this song is so annoying!
Always waiting for a second coming of bands sporting the jangling guitar sound.
Since The Church, I found Interpol and Beach Fossils to feed my beast.
I was hoping to find a new group as I was running out of options.
 MilesW wrote:

This song always reminds me of WHFS in Baltimore, back in the 80s, before they got bought by a big conglomerate and changed forever...
 
" changed forever... "

Interpretation. =Ruined.
There were great times though......

Its a great connection actually. Not unlike RP, that was a source for hearing new music I would never have heard elsewhere. 

Good memories. Going way back. King Biscuit. Dr. Demento. 
 IndyDoug wrote:
I miss the late 80's early 90's college radio alternative music. Very tasteful.

 
This song always reminds me of WHFS in Baltimore, back in the 80s, before they got bought by a big conglomerate and changed forever...
 George_Tirebiter wrote:
I liked them better when they were called Blue Oyster Cult.  {#Roflol}

 
This made me laugh. {#Roflol}
 mandolin wrote:


 
hah, maybe i'm not the only one who intentionally sings along the incorrect lyrics: "like a real Reptar"! {#High-five}

https://thechurchband.net/

I liked them better when they were called Blue Oyster Cult.  {#Roflol}
{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}{#Dancingbanana_2}
 DocStrangelove wrote:
our reptile god!

 

At your service!  Oh...wait...you said God...I'm only royalty...close enough, eh?  {#Cheesygrin}


Adam, Eve and Reptile
 IndyDoug wrote:
I miss the late 80's early 90's college radio alternative music. Very tasteful.

 
Agreed. More Connells and Ocean Blue, please.
that banana guy is freaking me tha hell out.
 


I've upped this to a 9.
our reptile god! {#Dancingbanana_2}
I keep thinking I am listening to Midnight Oil. Happy either way...{#Yes}
I miss the late 80's early 90's college radio alternative music. Very tasteful.
The guitar intro put in loop became my cellphone's ringtone.
Love, love, love this song.  My favorite Church song. Especially the opening notes... Just saw them in Berkeley (opening for the Psychedelic Furs) and they were fantastic. 
Still touring, still making great music, Marty is on his own; The Church—-most underrated long-standing band in history; rock on mates!
Of the probably hundreds of times I've heard this song, I've never paid close attention to the lyrics.  Wow.  Love it even more.
Digan lo que digan, los pelos del culo abrigan. 
Godlike 
Such a great song from a great album.
Still love it
Shame the drummer didn't make an effort. . . 
Doesn't get old.  Love this one— makes me wanna dance! {#Bananasplit}
                                
                                                          If you come to Tschurtschenthaler
                                                    Come, toure over !  here's our local church
                                                           Bring some flower to Miss Spring
                                                                  Summer Autumn wint'r
                                                      And when arsh kalt wird be her grecious.
Happy new year!
 
La perfection caractérise parfois une chanson idéale, c'est-à-dire un moment musical qui réunit toutes les qualités et n'a pas de défaut.
Good enough to hear twice in a row {#Music}
I am a reborn church fan... Man am I getting old.
Great Aussie atmosphere.More Church please
...Oh oh oh we are on a RP roll.....{#Music}
Wow so lucky....walking with my daughter and discussing the lyrics...

 
merrysea wrote:
The Church will be playing for free a block from my house during South by Southwest! 
 
 

The Church will be playing for free a block from my house during South by Southwest! 
 
One of the best of the 80's!!!
 
 Proclivities wrote:

This was before Smashing Pumpkins.

 
{#Dancingbanana_2}
Always bring me back to my CFNY days back in Toronto  :-)
-
THE REPTILE AND I....
People like it - I do not!
has a slight Smashing Pumpkins sound to it
...their new album was just released last week!..
 Vero_Luxemburg wrote:
I am a "child" of the 80s. The church are good, but they will never have the same intensity as other underground bands of that time, like the fields of the nephilim, the sisters of mercy etc. And they sound old nowadays anyway, just like the others :-)
 
...and yet they still continue to play and record, must've not burned out because of their lack of intensity.
 horstman wrote:

Said the amphibian.
 
{#Lol}
I have this cassingle. That is all.
 fredriley wrote:
Have I got newts for you - reptiles are cool. Literally :)

 
Said the amphibian.
I am a "child" of the 80s. The church are good, but they will never have the same intensity as other underground bands of that time, like the fields of the nephilim, the sisters of mercy etc. And they sound old nowadays anyway, just like the others :-)
THIS SONG SHOULD HAVE BEEN A HIT!
Have I got newts for you - reptiles are cool. Literally :)
 tutakea wrote:
perfect example of a song where all the worst things of the 80s come together. absolutely horrible!

 
And you picked THIS song as an example? You don't sound like much fun...take me back, time machine, take me back.....
forgive me for calling you Bob in my post about supreme beings of leisure, bill! :-) hope 2014 is treating you well so far. Truly, as someone who loves music and spent 5 years managing a music store at cetera et cetera you really are a fantastic DJ. Thank you!
 prairiedogj wrote:
8 >>> 9
I love it when songs do that. 

 
........... me to 8 >>>> 9
 melzabutch wrote:
Bill is it possible to get the Church cover of the Triffids "Wide Open Road" in the rotation.  The Church, or lead singer performed with the Triffids remaining members a few years back when they were inducted into Australian Music hall of Fame.  The original Triffids version is also AWESOME. 

                       

 
Amen
Very nice classic, and a great exception to the general "late '80s music sucked" rule.
Bill is it possible to get the Church cover of the Triffids "Wide Open Road" in the rotation.  The Church, or lead singer performed with the Triffids remaining members a few years back when they were inducted into Australian Music hall of Fame.  The original Triffids version is also AWESOME. 

                       
Very cool ! ..
25 years later...still ROCKS!
perfect example of a song where all the worst things of the 80s come together. absolutely horrible!
 lkovathana wrote:
... made for stylishly strutting around in leg warmers, and giant, fried perms.
 
Well done for getting and words stylishly, leg warmers and fried perms in the same sentence. 
 pontfarrer wrote:
This song definitely takes me back to my CFNY days .... very cool  :-)

 
True that
 
This song definitely takes me back to my CFNY days .... very cool  :-)
...there's a really silly acoustic swing rendition of this song on el momento seguiente...
 lkovathana wrote:
... made for stylishly strutting around in leg warmers, and giant, fried perms.
 
Was that you?
takes me back. but not their best!
my best group !!!! great!!!
... made for stylishly strutting around in leg warmers, and giant, fried perms.
Really nice flow-song.
 fredriley wrote:

{#Clap} Yep, reptiles are cool. Literally.

 
Yes, "THE REPTILES AND YOU"

ESPRIT MISSING!

No catchy melody!


It sure is nice to hear something from these guys besides Under the Milky Way  {#Angel}
 vit wrote:
After hanging out with reptiles for awhile now I can say that this song's name should be changed to "Human."
 
The Lizard Community—again paying its respects to the late, lamented Lizard King—agrees. And thanks for dropping by. We should hang more.
8 >>> 9
I love it when songs do that. 
Solid 10.
Awesome! 10.
This track is at least a 9. One of the least "forced" sounding albums of the time. Laid back but not sloppy. One of my top ten albums of all time!
 nicknt wrote:
The comparison between The Church and INXS is ridiculous. The Church are the masters of Aussie psychedelia, with dozens of beautifully crafted songs. Starfish is one of the best alternative records ever.
 
And though this person was kind enough not to mention INXS INXSUCKED!
The comparison between The Church and INXS is ridiculous. The Church are the masters of Aussie psychedelia, with dozens of beautifully crafted songs. Starfish is one of the best alternative records ever.
everything from this band belongs to the very worst of the 80s. it´s like having a teeth extracted without anesthetics. uaaarghhhh :-(((