Lu Chang, her brother, is burning with rage.
You know, as many times as I've listened to it, I always misunderstood it.
I thought the lyric was "Lucian, her brother, is burning with rage."
But you're right, "mandarin plum" should have tipped me off. It is about her brother, Lou.
Really underrated song. Goodbye look is also a classic! "Won't you pour me a Cuban breeze, Gretchen?"
I’d like to know
what’s on his mind...
He says “hey buddy, you’re not my kind.”
“Lu Chang, her brother, is burning with rage.”
Loved the background vocals immediately after, singing “Lu Chang burns with rage”.