Released: April 27, 1987

Songwriter: Michael Stipe Mike Mills (R.E.M.) Peter Buck Bill Berry

Producer: Don Dixon Mitch Easter

[Verse 1]
From the back of my neck, oh, oh, oh
Wired a glass jaw, oh, oh
Plantation burning, your boat is coming in
Strum your jew's harp, you're reeking gin

[Pre-Chorus]
Running water on a sinking boat
Going under, but they've got your goat

[Chorus]
Burning down
My hands are tied, my feet are bound
Burning down
Can't you see that my hands are bound?

[Verse 2]
Johnny Mike is reading in the yard
His story's timely, oh oh oh
What river is it anyway, radio
Not in a boat, in your ear

[Pre-Chorus]
Running water on a sinking boat
Going under, but they've got your goat

[Chorus]
Burning down
My hands are tied, my feet are bound
Burning down
Can't you see that my hands are bound?

[Bridge]
You pick your island in the sun
Take your island off he's got a gun

[Chorus]
Burning down
My hands are tied, my feet are bound
Burning down
Can't you see that my hands are bound?

[Verse 3]
He's cooking in the woods, a brush fire in your neck
Feeling mighty mighty, oh, oh, oh
You can pick your island in the sun
Take your island off, he's got a gun

[Pre-Chorus]
Running water on a sinking boat
Going under, but they've got your goat

[Chorus]
Burning down
My hands are tied, my feet are bound
Burning down
Can't you see that my hands are bound?

R.E.M.

R.E.M. were an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry.

Berry quit the band in April 1997, as they were getting together to record demos for the album Up. He was not replaced on a permanent basis, but the band used an assortment of drummers in his place.