The band formed in 1984, initially featuring Tim Sommer and Goese. Later they were joined by Hahn Rowe and Adam Peacock, releasing an EP called Drum in 1988. (Michael Stipe produced the EP and also sings backing vocals on two tracks.) Drum was later reissued with additional material as an album on Brian Eno's label, Opal Records. The band's second album Mettle was released in 1989, first on Opal, then on All Saints Records.
Soon after the band disbanded, with Sommer joining Atlantic Records as a music executive and Goese pursuing a solo career.
Brothers
Hugo Largo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the photos
One on the roof and two in the door
For some reason they're all wet
Long live with???
Comfort found in dirty hands
Dan's got red ink in his hand
And Mike is looking far away
Such a smile in a moment of calm
Accidental calm
Dan, the "Man", Mike, the "Bike", Tom, the "Bomb" and Joe "Schmoe"
Dan, the "Man", Mike, the "Bike", Tom, the "Bomb" and Joe "Schmoe"
Four brothers in this photograph
In the backyard
One on the roof and two in the door
The South is their home
In a bamboo forest of sugar cane
One on the roof and two in the door
It's so green
Such a smile you ever did see
Four brothers, four brothers
The Hugo Largo song "Brothers" is a reflection on the ties of brotherhood, particularly featuring four brothers. The lyrics describe four brothers in the backyard, as seen in photographs, with one on the roof and two in the door, all of them inexplicably wet. The brothers are identified as Dan, Mike, Tom, and Joe, each with their own nickname, and the lyrics intermittently repeat this roster. There is a sense of affection and familiarity, with a "smile in a moment of calm." The imagery of the song places the brothers in the South, in a "bamboo forest of sugar cane," emphasizing a connection to a particular place.
One possible interpretation of the lyrics is that it is about the idea of family, particularly the bonds between brothers. The wetness in the photograph could represent tears or sweat, the possible result of roughhousing or other physical pursuits, but also could represent the emotional bonds that tie the brothers together. The nicknames, particularly Dan's "Man" and Mike's "Bike," could represent their individual personalities and interests, while also serving as shorthand for how they are known to each other. Additionally, the placement of the brothers in the photograph could represent their positions within the family or their respective attitudes.
Line by Line Meaning
Four brothers in the backyard
The song describes four siblings standing in the backyard.
In the photos
The scene is being recalled from a photograph.
One on the roof and two in the door
The siblings are posing in various places, with one on the roof and two standing in the doorway.
For some reason they're all wet
It is unclear why, but all four brothers appear to be wet.
Long live with???
This line is unclear and its meaning is unknown.
Comfort found in dirty hands
The brothers find comfort in simple, tactile experiences like touching dirty objects.
Dan's got red ink in his hand
One of the brothers, named Dan, is holding a red ink pen or has it on his hand.
And Mike is looking far away
One of the brothers, named Mike, is gazing off into the distance.
It's so green
The backyard and surroundings are lush with green vegetation.
Such a smile in a moment of calm
This line describes a moment of tranquility in which one of the brothers is smiling.
Accidental calm
The peaceful moment is not intentional or planned.
Dan, the "Man", Mike, the "Bike", Tom, the "Bomb" and Joe "Schmoe"
The four brothers have nicknames matching their personalities or traits.
Four brothers in this photograph
The photograph depicts four brothers.
The South is their home
The brothers hail from a southern location.
In a bamboo forest of sugar cane
The location where the photograph was taken is described as having a dense growth of bamboo and sugar cane.
One on the roof and two in the door
The same arrangement of brothers as described in a previous line is reiterated.
It's so green
The vegetation is yet again emphasized as being very green.
Such a smile you ever did see
The same moment of calm and tranquility from earlier is revisited.
Four brothers, four brothers
This line repeats the central subject of the song.
Contributed by Austin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@surfwriter8461
This is a great song, beautifully performed and sung. It's a shame that so few people seem to even know about the song or the group. The lyrics tell a poignant story of boys in childhood. It's very moving as a reflection on childhood experience, its richness, joys and bonding.
@join0715
It should be "4 Brothers"? Thanks for uploading such beautiful music.