Reptile (song)

"Reptile"
Single by The Church
from the album Starfish
Released 1988
Format 7" single
Genre Alternative rock
Length 4:56
Label Arista Records
Writer(s) Marty Willson-Piper / Peter Koppes / Richard Ploog / Steve Kilbey
Producer(s) Greg Ladanyi, Waddy Wachtel, The Church
The Church singles chronology
"Under the Milky Way"
(1988)		 "Reptile"
(1988)		 "Antenna"
(1988)

"Reptile" is a song by Australian alternative rock band The Church. It was released as a single on their 1988 album, Starfish, and the songwriting credits were given to all four members of the band

Background and composition

Marty Willson-Piper, Peter Koppes, Richard Ploog, and Steve Kilbey were all credited with writing the song. Kilbrey provided vocals, and his lyrics describe something that is both fascinating and disgusting.[1]

Release and reception

"Reptile" peaked at number 27 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks in 1988.[2] The song was well received by critics upon its release. Ned Raggett of Allmusic compared it to "the sheer punch of Heyday's most frenetic moments with a slightly more restrained but still strong, smart performance." The chorus was "rushing", the guitars were "epic" and "melancholic", and the atmosphere was set by "a sudden mid-song slow dive bomb break, guitars howling down into the void." [1]

Personnel

Chart performance

Chart (1988) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart[2] 27

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Raggett, Ned. "Metropolis review". Allmusic. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The Church Awards". Allmusic. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved June 25, 2012.