David Bowie - Big Brother/Chant of the ever circling skeletal family

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"Big Brother" is a song written by David Bowie in 1973 and intended for his never-produced musical based on George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four. In 1974 it was released on the album Diamond Dogs. It segued into the final track on the record, "Chant of the Ever Circling Skeletal Family".
Lyrically, the song reflects the ending of Nineteen Eighty-Four, where Winston Smith's brainwashing is complete, and he loves Big Brother. This was described by Bowie biographer David Buckley as "a frightening paean to the Super God",while Nicholas Pegg considered that Bowie was showing how "the glamour of dictatorships is balanced with the banality".
The opening trumpet line, played on a Chamberlin, has been compared to Miles Davis' Sketches of Spain.The melody in the chorus was echoed in Bowie's own "Shining Star (Makin' My Love)" from Never Let Me Down (1987).
"Chant of the Ever Circling Skeletal Family" is a song written by David Bowie in 1974 ending his Diamond Dogs album.
The song ends with the endlessly repeating sound of "bruh-bruh-bruh...", the first syllable of the word 'Brother' from "(Big) Brother" (the title and refrain of the preceding track) as though the record had broken. Bowie's initial intention had been for the machine to repeat the whole of the word 'Brother', but accidentally discovered that just the first syllable sounded much better.
The Goth-band Skeletal Family took their name from this song.
This song is David Bowie's interpretation of George Orwell's "two minute hate" from his novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four". Its mesmerizing chanting represents the mind-numbing influence that the two minutes has over the brainwashed citizens of Oceania, 1984's totalitarian government.

[@thegonz9]

Diamond Dogs was one of the best albums ever made.

[@stevefinnegan295]

You got that right.. I still play my vinyl.. And my kids love it!!

[@saleconomos473]

Without doubt one of his best musical efforts. And also from that particular time in great 70's Rock. Never will we see such "organic" musical talent again. Every song here a winner.

And this is the best track on da album. 🇺🇸😡🇺🇸

[@johnc.wrigley6147]

Ya know what Chairman Meow, that's 100% correct...fucken A it is

[@gregorygraham4117]

fuck sakes, yes.

[@Scottie_S]

When I was young, the Dystopian imagery that Bowie implanted in me with the music from this album was so solid. I had read Orwell's '1984' in 1969 and was appalled at his imagery. Then I listened to Bowie's artistic interpretation in 'Diamond Dogs'. Now, we are close to living it, maybe a little later than we expected.

[@allonfollett8416]

No, NOW we are living it.

[@carlosgarcia8770]

Man, you have killed me with your comment. The same applies with me. The dude was a Genius.

[@hoggers7572]

​@@allonfollett8416the only hope is the proles..oh no

[@davepowell7168]

Perhaps you might look harder before making dumb comments

[@Scottie_S]

@@davepowell7168 Are you serious or just trolling with nonsense? Please explain before you just make another baseless comment. I place this responsibility fully on your troll-bot.

[@mysticlawlotus]

Someone to claim us, someone to follow Someone to shame us, some brave Apollo Someone to fool us, someone like you We want you Big Brother, Big Brother RIP David

[@manuelponce9838]

don t ralj of dust and roses

[@williamgiebel7864]

We got our Big Brother now- don’t we?!!

[@frankm6278]

I can't believe this is 42 years old. Unbelievable this song sounds to fresh/relevant.

[@smithredpilled581]

This Album sounds the same as it did when it came out in late 1974 ,when l first got my vinyl album. It was an album like no other music,and still is.l still prefer the sound of the old vinyl album it just sounds a little extra .Its just the same music /sound as it was in 1974.

[@SYVERIA]

This is 45 years old?

[@ssballs]

47 now.

[@gailmiler2797]

​@@ssballs 50

[@banishedfromthedwarfplanet530]

Bowie played all of the guitars on this album, which gives it a certain feel that none of his other albums had.

[@pepper1706]

Except for 1984. Alan Parker.

[@leprimitif62]

Honnêtement, j'aurais préféré que Mick Ronson joue les parties de guitares ,même si c'est mon album préféré de David BOWIE .

[@MrRedsentry]

Bowie is one of the greatest musical geniuses to ever have lived

[@banishedfromthedwarfplanet530]

True.

[@markatherton2258]

👍

[@ozcan2468]

the most underrated bowie work and one of the best concept album of all time.ıt generates new interpretation of orwell's work and creates strong context both in lyrics and musical style

[@michaelmcalister6477]

Jesus - what is it with you lot! Diamond Dogs is one of Bowie’s most lauded albums. It is not underrated - Mr ‘Bowie specialist’. Bloody social media - giving every halfwit a voice.

[@ozcan2468]

@@michaelmcalister6477 stupid comment came 6 years late

[@rachiesayd9423]

The Chant has always been my favorite Bowie song!!! So obscure most people I know have never heard of it!!! Musically it is so unique and enigmatic!!! Nothing like it anywhere as far as I know!!! It is songs like this that set him apart from all other artists!!! A singular vision that transcends human thought emotion and expression!!! Difficult to choose a favorite among David's vast catalog but Chant is certainly in my top 10 or maybe 5........

[@grahamtaylor8912]

How did he think it up? Amazing track.

[@gogoyubari366]

I agree!

[@charlesdigennaro4981]

This piece has so much going on it’s sheer brilliance. Every 8 bars there’s a different instrument being thrown in and phasing and slap back it’s a wonder how someone thought of the whole concept

[@SKYSAW59]

Plainly heavily influenced by Roxy Music, and especially Eno

[@lonelybro77]

​@@SKYSAW59 plainly indeed! I first heard it on headphones🤯

[@ridonkk]

How the ending fades from "bruh" into what sounds like "run" will terrify me until the day I die. I miss you Bowie.

[@AskSydneyLipton]

The ending always really gets to me. How it's just constant skipping and then suddenly it slowly fades out with an echo. David Bowie is our Big Brother, and now he watches us from above lol.

[@BoudicaJ]

+Sal Paradise Brian? What are you on about?

[@BoudicaJ]

+Sal Paradise You are joking...aren't you?

[@TheTestingGrounds]

+sugarkaneandchloe It's been a long time since I read "1984" but I know Bowie wanted to create a musical based on that book. Maybe it was an album, but I think it was a musical. Anyway, Diamond Dogs has a lot of references to 1984 (like the song of the same name, obviously). So what Sal Paradise said is plausible. Listen to the last 6 seconds and you can clearly hear he's saying "run, run, run, run.......

[@BoudicaJ]

+TheTestingGrounds Well...whilst it's true that Bowie wanted to do a musical based on 1984 , Sonia (Orwell's widow) wouldn't allow him to. However Bowie used some of the left over compositions to make Diamond Dogs. It hasn't been long since *I* read 1984... I am intimately acquainted with both Orwell AND Bowie and no, Sal Paradises' comment is not plausible. Lol. Run run run..who is running, and from whom?

[@BoudicaJ]

+TheTestingGrounds ...I don't think you have EVER read 1984, if you think his comment is plausible. Brian? Secret police? Running...?!

[@terrypussypower]

The bass playing in "Chant..." is brilliant.especially the descending line line at 4:06...love that bit!

[@joemilliken3438]

ever since I heard the tragic news... I cant stop playing Bowie... I never met him but I miss him

[@burpie3258]

I never really knew of him or his songs before his death, yet missed him terribly. How can someone have that much of an influence over people?

[@bluobrien7131]

burpie

[@Michael-gn9pm]

Does anyone else hear the helicopter in reference to Orwell’s 1984 in the background towards the end of the chant of the ever circling skeletal family? Bowie was a genius.

[@Michael-gn9pm]

Also with reference to 1984 at the end of the song in the fade out if you listen carefully you can hear Bowie is saying, “Brien, Brien, Brien, Brien, Brien, Run, Run, Run, Run……” in reference to Winston’s nemesis.

[@robstubeview]

Bowie blew us all away when we were teens in the early 70's. Just so incredibly talented.

[@WoodRatGirl]

The first time I heard the "Bra, Bra, Bra" bit at the end, I thought the Vinyl was scratched LOL. Glad to know it never was.

[@flanplan5903]

I looked it up. And that part came about completely by accident, when in the studio whilst recording the tape started to malfunction and it played bro over and over again really.

[@widM_]

damn, that production is so ahead of time

[@Glowingriverr]

yess!

[@emilyembree]

So many layers! And is that a helicopter sample? So curious how that was put together. What a genius! So far and beyond his time...

[@coral4874]

Bowie's music is timeless.

[@shineperishingrepublic]

widM one of the things that always brings me back. it's crazy how it sounds futuristic and antiqued. I fucking love Bowie.

[@garyclark9185]

1984 is already here.

[@invanorm]

I just then finished reading 1984. I went directly to my computer and searched up this song. Holyshit. Epic.

[@johnbeekman1396]

As a kid in 1974, this track landed on my ears like some kind of strange artifact transported back via time machine from a dystopian future. So angular, other-worldly, and unsettling (in the best way imaginable). The combination of the Mellotron parts and those low honking saxes is killer. I especially love the (Mellotron) trumpet break at about 1:47 - just beautiful. Rest in eternal peace, David Bowie. You are magnificent.

[@dalebaker6256]

your right john! the mellotron is amazing, love the mellotron 8 voice choir! it roars throughout this magnificent.

[@johnbeekman1396]

And Bowie played the Mellotron and sax parts himself. To me, that always made it even cooler.

[@dalebaker6256]

+John Beekman absolutely right john! I must admit, I love the mellotron sounds, just something about them.

[@wpollock1]

+John Beekman Bowie also played guitar on this. He had a falling out with Mick Ronson prior to the album. Bowie's use of distortion on the guitar playing is perfect. He was a massive talent that we will all miss so much.

[@thedok6419]

+wpollock1 He was a massive talent but far more at home with an acoustic guitar, this album is let down by his guitar playing listen to the guitar solo on "candidate" . Could've been a great album with Mick Ronson RIP.

[@rayzee398]

bowie single handedly saved me in dark dark times...especially this album....love you forever man ....R.I.P. x

[@treyblake1]

Same x

[@GravityBoy72]

The sound of the drums in chant is amazing. Phased? Compressed? Limited? Backwards? Whatever... Brilliant!

[@madelineholmes9930]

Bowie is one of the only celebrity deaths that really fucked me up badly. His existence was like seeing a ghost from the future, a promise of something better, and then he was gone and you wondered if he ever actually existed at all.

[@ekibarthenid]

One bonus of listening to this on a 35 year old vinyl (which I still do) is the lack of digital lag and pause... keeping it real.

[@dinafisherart]

Diamond Dogs tracks have some of the most rockin' guitar and rhythm sections tucked onto their ends. Chant of the Never Ending Circle freekin' kicks it every time, and that hyper lush rhythm & slide guitar during the last minute of the Sweet Thing reprise is A W E S O M E. So rare a combination of sheer lyrical talent and juicy rocker-trash instinct. Loved this album since first listen, wore out the grooves. Rock on, you literate crazy diamonds.

[@mysticlawlotus]

Don't talk of dust and roses Or should we powder our noses? Don't live for last year's capers Give me steel, give me steel, give me pulsars unreal He'll build a glass asylum With just a hint of mayhem He'll build a better whirlpool We'll be living from sin, then we can really begin Please saviour, saviour, show us Hear me, I'm graphically yours [CHORUS] Someone to claim us, someone to follow Someone to shame us, some brave Apollo Someone to fool us, someone like you We want you Big Brother, Big Brother I know you think you're awful square But you made everyone and you've been every where Lord, I'd take an overdose if you knew what's going down [CHORUS (3 times)] We want you Big Brother

[@garyclark9185]

run .run run. run run run run......

[@loriholman6125]

Thank You ❣

[@edfoldisfitch1253]

The breakdown 'Lord I'd take an over dose' part right in to the full blown 'someone to claim us'...one of the greatest things in Rock history to me.

[@freshborn66]

bowie was godlike, he never stops being exiting in his lyrics and music all through those dedicated years, and he wasn't ever afraid to experiment, we will miss him, some of his tracks are so powerfull and the story he can tell you, punches you in the face, that's what I loved about bowie, he gave it all from the heart to give to ours, we can listen and remember all the great times he brought to us,we were given a gift of music, I will always love him for that x

[@Anteroization]

since 1974 and the song still give me chills

[@Abbyjo8881]

This is the kind of song that you want to blast incredibly loud so that it hurts your ears, but feels magnificently good at the same time..

[@augustuscaesar7846]

This song is so wonderfully spectacular that it makes me want to cry...... Just listening to it is an otherworldly high....... That damn Bowie!!!!(smh)..... What a vessel.....

[@aslandavan4861]

i like that aug? vessel in deed.m mm mmm aaj jickk!

[@professorpsoop]

this has given me goosebumps for 45 years

[@KnoxBronson]

Just read a great book about this album: "Diamond Dogs" by Glenn Hendler, part of the 33 1/3 book series. He cites Orwell's "1984," William Burroughs' "The Wild Boys," and Tod Browning's 1932 movie "Freaks" as the major influences for the work. Really fascinating and thought provoking, just like the album.

[@twistedspanner]

Diamond Dogs and Lodger were the two Bowie albums I was drawn to most. While reading an article about Diamond Dogs cos in all documentaries about Bowie they always bypass this classic and go straight to Young Americans, I read along article where Bowie also claimed that they were his favourite albums.

[@andybullemor-music5928]

RIP David. One of my musical idols!

[@josemcknight8686]

Don't talk of dust and roses Or should we powder our noses? Don't live for last year's capers Give me steel, give me steel, give me pulses unreal He'll build a glass asylum With just a hint of mayhem He'll build a better whirlpool We'll be living from sin, then we can really begin Please savior, savior, show us Hear me, I'm graphically yours Someone to claim us, someone to follow Someone to shame us, some brave Apollo Someone to fool us, someone like you We want you Big Brother, Big Brother I know you think you're awful square But you made everyone and you've been every where Lord, I think you'd overdose if you knew what's going down Someone to claim us, someone to follow Someone to shame us, some brave Apollo Someone to fool us, someone like you Someone to claim us, someone to follow Someone to shame us, some brave Apollo Someone to fool, someone like you Someone to claim us, someone to follow Someone to shame us, some brave Apollo Someone to fool, someone like you We want you Big Brother

[@loriholman6125]

Thank You ❣

[@cjensevics]

It’s taken me this long to listen to his music without crying. God I miss this man.

[@niclawson8469]

RIP David Bowie... thank you.

[@glynowen2689]

Brilliant! Bowie is light years ahead of anyone!

[@SKYSAW59]

A master plagiarist for sure!

[@lincolnhirschi2527]

Currently my fave Bowie song, along with Andy Warhol, Station to Station, Stay,TVC15, Bewlay Brothers, Be My Wife, Moonage Daydream, I'm Afraid of Americans, The Width if a Circle, Lady Stardust, Heart's Filthy Lesson, Life On Mars, Sweet Thing/ Candidate, Allo Spaceboy, etc....

[@izzimichaels2892]

my personal favorite bowie album...though it was on 8 track when i bought it lol. thanks for the great music mr jones

[@JEANNEBOLEYN]

I love Big Brother which makes me doubleplusgood

[@Azatarot75]

The nightmare that the 20th Century only produced in thankfully limited quantities, in spite of massive efforts...captured in 5 minutes. One of the reasons I continue to love listening to old-school Bowie.

[@andrewvida3829]

Any time I was spinning live, I would play Chant at midnight, my signal that warmup time was over and getting busy was the order for the rest of the night.

[@briangoodwin5986]

i remember listening to this album in bed with my headphones on and drift to sleep only to be awoke at the end of the album with Bowie shouting ( what i thought was brian brian brian brian brian lol )

[@Deedee-ee1sg]

DIAMOND DOGS is a masterpiece! Big Brother is such a brilliant song. I've loved BOWIE since the early 70s, when I saw him on TOTP. Have all his albums. DAVID BOWIE WE MISS YOU SO MUCH!! YOU ARE and will forever remain one of the greatest music legends EVER, and a true icon.

[@WoodRatGirl]

This album of his is underrated in my humble opinion. I remember being totally blown away the first time I listened to it on Vinyl. My father's Vinyl that is lol.

[@duantorruellas716]

had this on cassette as a kid , along with neil young and zeppelin, it was then i realized what was possible musically.

[@jonnightrain]

Here we are in 2017.... such a long time ago....world is crazy now, really really out of control... phew glad I am nearing the end))..... 50 plus years of mental mayhem!

[@stumyu]

Chant... is the greatest ever song ever penned by the hand of mortal man. All this very very little lyrical content. It's pure emotion and a warning. Excellent. Bowie legend

[@Jarred-iv8zk]

This song is genius. I haven't heard this song in a while and now i feel much better . His music is so important and vital to my Life

[@annettemyers8479]

One of my all time favorite songs, from first note to last, especially the last " some brave Apollo!!!!" And the circling skeletons shit, got me fd up😊😊😊

"... I know you think you're awful square, But you made everyone and you've been every where, Lord, I'd take an overdose if you knew what's going down... "

[@skylilly1]

I was doing some monotenous job at work and outta the blue I started to sing the chanting part oblivious to my surroundings. Co-worker comes up to me and said "what the hell are you singing?" I said "I'm chanting the chant of the ever circling skeletal family." He said "what the fuck is that?" ha ha ha I must have been singin' that chant for 10 minutes or so,,just got stuck in my head..ha ha I don't know how long he was standing there listening! it's addictive!

[@timothykearns2232]

Ahead of time.....And relevant today.....I can't fathom why people want this......But they're gonna get theirs!

[@JEANNEBOLEYN]

Rest in Your Magical Dreams David..thank you for the brilliant music you passionate bright young thing.... bye bye

[@stevefinnegan295]

I've lived through all of Bowies phases. This one was the best hands down..

[@canogaJE]

Still gives me goose bumps all these years later.

[@lathamallika1482]

brilliant after so many years this chant is mind bogglingi love it

[@Foldisfitch]

Bravo David! You created one of the greatest moments in Rock n Roll history with that acoustic breakdown then back into the chorus of Big Brother!!!

[@lathamallika1482]

brilliant chant it's awesome 20/11/17 rip dear bowie

[@yormosi-6251]

I have loved Bowie my entire life and I never heard this song before. I stumble upon on this and one minute in and I’m speechless. The lyrics are incredible.

[@Generaltiger1]

The first Bowie song I loved in 1974. Still entranced 42 years later. I thank you Big Brother.

[@tetraskelion]

Intro reminds me of a spaghetti western just before someone dies, always has. Is it possible to choose the best Bowie album ??? Just when you think you have it nailed, along comes the next album & your back to square one again ??? Problem is, all of them are so damn good,. Changes are such a good thing don't you think ???

[@HARALDEMANN]

Goose Bumps all over. The man is a genius.

[@skylilly1]

times spent in the recroom listening to this album....good times..what I remember ...

[@krm3345]

My favourite song from "Diamond Dogs"

[@jasonfrodoman1316]

Closed my eyes and there I was sitting in my basement bedroom 50 years ago.

[@timcowart9306]

Ya know America invented rock n roll but in all honesty England(a country no larger than the size of Texas} perfected it with absolute precision and 'Big Brother ' proves that since 1974 along with the genius of Bowies mind .I've loved this album since I was in 4th grade in 1974 .

[@leonoel42]

It's amazing that this album was No 1 in the UK and Top 5 in USA Billboard chart. It;s in my top 3 Bowie albums

[@charlesdigennaro4981]

A MASTERPIECE!!!!! Takes me to an imaginary place every time

[@maryyagmin3590]

I'm hearing the song now and I'm in tears I miss him so much, He's so missed I'm still not over his passing it will take time for me his music has been my life since I was 12 years old RIP sir david Bowie 💞

[@timcowart9306]

I'loved this mans genuius and music since 1974 when I was kid in elementary school.Bowie was nothing short of incredible.

[@gogoyubari366]

One of my favorite songs by David Bowie!

[@Cococrash11]

Awesome David Bowie Big Brother/Chant of the Ever Circling Skeletal Family Video.

[@collotpascale]

Love David depuis 1973 ( eternity ) my great légend ' 💓💓💓💓💓 miss U

[@davejohnston2700]

My favourite Bowie LP.

[@tracycooper463]

GREAT !!!!!!! R.I.P. Brother ..... T.C. / Ft.Lauderdale , FLA. 👍 👍 👍

[@assblaster61]

greatest album of all time...no exceptions

[@pup1008]

Anyone English & of this generation, that trumpet part - The Thames TV station Ident!

[@laylalinquinto6600]

This is a great song, the words in are heavy, this whole album rocked!

[@copndonuts]

I wore this tape cassette out in the 1980's ............ still awesome today

[@dinafisherart]

My schizophrenic older sister, whom I idolized, killed herself. I hear Bowie's brother all over Diamond Dogs. His best music as far as I'm concerned... The Candidate, We Are the Dead. I get it, for better or worse. In loving memory we live.

[@MutualChemistry]

@WoodRatGirl Actually the tape stuck during recording and they left it that way to make a lock groove!!! The track, and the LP, end in a pseudo-lock groove, the first syllable of Bowie singing “brother” repeated in a stabbing loop of sound. The idea of a repeating lock groove on a record was an avant-garde experiment

[@ElementaryPhysics]

I love both tracks

[@runninggunblues8023]

when big brother segues into chant of the ever circling skeletal family, if you don't get the old chills up the spine, then i don't know what will.

[@charliedontsurf70]

i was 10 years old when a friend advised me to buy the album.we were going to catholic school-where everything is either academics or sports.my friend said "you like elton john? you need to listen to bowie."i bought it played it and suddenly i knew i was no longer alone in the cosmos,bowie opened all the doors 4 me,

[@mikehagman8187]

Hammer Album vielleicht sein allerbestes, prägend für alles spätere!!!

[@HannesGlans]

This is my favorite Bowie album, without a doubt. Remember when I found this on vinyl for like 10 bucks. I've never been so psyched.

[@lenor5251]

I wish someone would sing "Look back in anger" on x factor, especially that part where Bowie screams "feeeeel it in my voice!" till you come. That would be impressive.

[@duantorruellas716]

pure genius , another example of life imitating art , in more ways than one .

[@lathamallika1482]

the ending is out of this world rip bowie long live your brilliant talent

[@fredgehm4727]

rest in peace big brother!

[@CaptainGimp]

This album reminds me of my father way back when there was no work...he played nothing but Bowie...this album in particular.

[@StevenCarinci]

My first concert at MSG in NYC. Great album. Too dark and deep for top 40 radio.

[@redbarberry]

[@leonoel42]

This album would never top the charts it did now No 1 in UK and 5 IN USA but it isn't the sort of music expect. Certainly not today.

[@rayzee398]

the only thing missing is the sound of crackles in the vinyl from overplay

[@texadillo53]

One of the best Bowie albums ever. Came out about the same time as Berlin by Lou Reed another great experience.

[@LucyBowie8]

this is a miracle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@katg1875]

You've given us so much thank you.

[@crudehopeii]

We miss you Big Brother......RIP David.

[@delmartinis]

RIP :(