China
Amos (Tori) Lyrics
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I can feel the distance getting close
You're right next to me
But I need an airplane
I can feel the distance as you breathe
Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build a great wall around you
You just look away in the distance
China decorates our table
Funny how the cracks don't seem to show
Pour the wine dear
You say we'll take a holiday
But we never can agree on where to go
Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build a great wall around you
In your eyes I saw a future together
You just look away in the distance
China all the way toNew York
Maybe you got lost in Mexico
You're right next to me
I think that you can hear me
Funny how the distance learns to grow
Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build a great wall around you
I can feel the distance
I can feel the distance
I can feel the distance getting close
The song "China" by Tori Amos is a beautiful ballad about the bittersweet feelings of love and distance in a relationship. The song starts with Amos singing about feeling the distance between herself and her lover, even when they are right next to each other. She is yearning for more, but she cannot bridge the gap between them, even with physical closeness. She likens the distance between them to the distance between China and New York, which creates a metaphorical journey of longing and isolation.
Amos then sings about her lover's emotional detachment and compares it to the Great Wall of China, a massive symbol of protection and defense. Despite Amos's desire for intimacy and connection, she cannot breach the barrier her lover has created, and their relationship remains at arm's length. She then sings about how their relationship is like a cracked piece of China on their table, that even though it's broken, they try to ignore the damage and continue to pour wine and make small talk.
The song ends with Amos admitting that she feels the distance growing between them, even though they are physically close. She longs for connection, but her lover's emotional walls are too high to climb. The song is a melancholic reflection on the complexities of love and communication in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
China all the way to New York
Despite the physical distance between us, I still feel a strong connection to you
I can feel the distance getting close
Our relationship is getting more intense, even though we're not physically closer
You're right next to me
You're physically present, but emotionally distant
But I need an airplane
I need some distance and separation from you in order to properly process my feelings
I can feel the distance as you breathe
I can sense the emotional distance between us, even in small movements such as your breathing
Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
I sense mixed signals from you and am unsure about how you truly feel
How can I when you build a great wall around you
Your emotional barriers and defensive nature prevent me from getting closer to you
In your eyes I saw a future together
I once saw great potential for a future between us when I looked into your eyes
You just look away in the distance
But now you seem distant and detached, looking away from me
China decorates our table
Chinese culture and aesthetic is present in our shared space and surroundings
Funny how the cracks don't seem to show
Although things may appear smooth on the surface, there are underlying problems and tension in our relationship
Pour the wine dear
Let's try to relax and enjoy each other's company, despite our issues
You say we'll take a holiday
You suggest we take a break from our problems and go on a trip
But we never can agree on where to go
However, our disagreements and inability to compromise make it difficult to plan a vacation
Maybe you got lost in Mexico
I wonder if you've lost yourself or become distracted by something else
I think that you can hear me
Despite our issues, I believe you still care about me and value our relationship
Funny how the distance learns to grow
It's ironic how our emotional distance seems to only increase over time
I can feel the distance getting close
Once again, I sense our relationship reaching a critical point and becoming even more intense
I can feel the distance
I have a strong intuition about the emotional space between us
I can feel the distance
This sentiment is repeated to emphasize the artist's feelings of separation from their partner
I can feel the distance getting close
Once again, the artist is feeling strongly about the increasing intensity of their relationship despite the actual distance.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: TORI ELLEN AMOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mushuank5257
China todo el camino a Nueva York
Puedo sentir que la distancia se acerca
Estás a mi lado pero necesito un avión
Puedo sentir la distancia mientras respiras
A veces creo que quieres que te toque
¿Cómo puedo cuando construyes la gran muralla a tu alrededor?
En tus ojos vi un futuro juntos
Simplemente miras lejos en la distancia
China decora nuestra mesa
Es curioso cómo las grietas no parecen mostrar
Vierta el vino querido, diga que tomaremos unas vacaciones
Pero nunca podemos ponernos de acuerdo sobre a dónde ir. A veces creo que quieres que te toque.
¿Pero cómo puedo cuando construyes la gran muralla a tu alrededor?
En tus ojos vi un futuro juntos
Simplemente miras lejos en la distancia
China todo el camino a Nueva York
Quizás te perdiste en México
Como estás junto a mí, creo que me puedes oír Es curioso cómo la distancia aprende a crecer
A veces creo que quieres que te toque
¿Cómo puedo cuando construyes la gran muralla a tu alrededor?
Puedo sentir la distancia
Puedo sentir la distancia
Puedo sentir que la distancia se acerca
@eletoralei
China
All the way to New York
I can feel the distance getting close
You're right next to me
But I need an airplane
I can feel the distance as you breathe
Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build the great wall around you
In your eyes I saw the future
Together you just look away in the distance
China decorates our table
Funny how the cracks don't seem to show
Pour the wine dear
You say we'll take a holiday
But we never can agree on where to go
Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build the great wall around you
In your eyes I saw the future
Together you just look away in the distance
China all the way to New York
Maybe you got lost in Mexico
You're right next to me
I think that you can hear me
Funny how the distance
Learns to grow
Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build the great wall around you
In your eyes I saw the future
Together you just look away in the distance
I can feel the distance
I can feel the distance
I can feel the distance getting close
@henriqueramos3197
"China"
Released: January 20, 1992
[Verse 1]
China, all the way to New York
I can feel the distance getting close
You're right next to me, but I need an airplane
I can feel the distance as you breathe
[Chorus]
Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build the Great Wall around you?
In your eyes I saw a future together
Oh, you just look away in the distance
[Verse 2]
China decorates our table
Funny how the cracks don't seem to show
Pour the wine, dear, you say we'll take a holiday
But we never can agree on where to go
[Chorus]
Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build the Great Wall around you?
In your eyes I saw a future together
Oh, you just look away in the distance
[Interlude]
[Verse 3]
China all the way to New York
Maybe you got lost in Mexico
You're right next to me, I think that you can hear me
Funny how the distance learns to grow
[Chorus]
Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build the Great Wall around you?
[Outro]
I can feel the distance
I can feel the distance
I can feel the distance getting close
Produced by Ian Stanley
Written by Tori Amos
Album LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (1992)
@henriqueramos3197
"China"
Released: January 20, 1992
[Verse 1]
China, all the way to New York
I can feel the distance getting close
You're right next to me, but I need an airplane
I can feel the distance as you breathe
[Chorus]
Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build the Great Wall around you?
In your eyes I saw a future together
Oh, you just look away in the distance
[Verse 2]
China decorates our table
Funny how the cracks don't seem to show
Pour the wine, dear, you say we'll take a holiday
But we never can agree on where to go
[Chorus]
Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build the Great Wall around you?
In your eyes I saw a future together
Oh, you just look away in the distance
[Interlude]
[Verse 3]
China all the way to New York
Maybe you got lost in Mexico
You're right next to me, I think that you can hear me
Funny how the distance learns to grow
[Chorus]
Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build the Great Wall around you?
[Outro]
I can feel the distance
I can feel the distance
I can feel the distance getting close
Produced by Ian Stanley
Written by Tori Amos
Album LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (1992)
@indiemixtape
what was the first tori amos song that caught your attention? subscribe for more: https://uproxx.it/mrln2hd
@YayaValder
I've loved Tori ever since I heard her debut single Silent All These Years in 1991.
@johannes3174
Pretty good year
@cmcgrew98
Little Earthquakes
@alejandrogiraldoorozco4075
God!
@cemdonmez9988
Siren from great expectations soundtrack
@davidcripps5268
Little Earthquakes is a brilliant album, her vocal range is amazing, her voice just evokes so many emotions, Tori Amos is class .
@rustyz5611
Words cannot express the beauty contained in this song.
@rustyz5611
+Francisco Partida That's what a song is. Words and music. The videos just ruin the experience. There was a time when people would purchase something called a "Hi Fi system" and just sit and listen to music. It was magic, and it's all but gone now in today's world. Sad.
@hollyparker5179
+Rusty Z I cannot put it any better.