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 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 a great wall around you
I can feel the distance
I can feel the distance
I can feel the distance getting close
In the song "China" by Amos Tori, the singer is lamenting the emotional distance between herself and her lover. Although they are physically close to each other, she feels that there is a great divide between them that she cannot breach. The first verse uses imagery of distance and air travel to underscore this feeling – even though they are in the same space, the gap between them feels like a vast expanse. The second verse continues to use metaphors of walls and barriers – the lover seems to be actively blocking any attempt at physical intimacy, and the singer sees the future they might have had slip away as she watches him disengage.
The song's refrain repeats the idea that the "distance is getting close," creating a paradox that encapsulates the singer's feelings of confusion and frustration. The third verse brings in the image of China – specifically, the way it decorates their table. This is perhaps a way for the singer to connect with her lover's culture or to bridge the gap between them. However, the point is moot – they cannot even agree on where to go for a holiday together. The song ends with another paradox – the idea that the distance between them is growing, despite the fact that they are right next to each other.
Interesting Facts:
Line by Line Meaning
China all the way to new york
Despite the physical distance between the two individuals, they are connected and share a bond.
I can feel the distance getting close
Although they are physically together, emotionally they feel distant from each other.
You're right next to me
The two individuals are physically close to each other.
But I need an airplane
To bridge the emotional distance between them, the artist feels they need to physically distance themselves.
I can feel the distance as you breathe
The emotional distance between the two individuals is strongly felt by the artist.
Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
The singer is uncertain about the desires of the other person in the relationship.
How can I when you build a great wall around you
The other person in the relationship is guarded and doesn't allow the singer to get too close emotionally.
In your eyes I saw a future together
The artist recognizes the potential for a meaningful relationship with the other person.
You just look away in the distance
The other person is emotionally distant and avoids intimacy with the artist.
China decorates our table
Symbolic reference to the cultural differences and diversity in the relationship.
Funny how the cracks don't seem to show
Despite the cultural and emotional differences, the relationship appears to work on the surface.
Pour the wine dear
The artist is attempting to enhance the intimate setting and suggest a romantic atmosphere.
You say we'll take a holiday
The other person suggests taking a break from their emotional distance to try and improve their relationship.
But we never can agree on where to go
Despite attempts to take a break from their emotional distance, they can't agree on how to improve their relationship.
Maybe you got lost in Mexico
The singer is uncertain of the whereabouts and emotional state of the other person in the relationship.
I think that you can hear me
Despite the emotional distance between them, the artist believes the other person can hear them.
Funny how the distance learns to grow
The emotional distance between the two individuals appears to be growing over time.
I can feel the distance getting close
The emotional distance is becoming more apparent and felt by the singer.
I can feel the distance
The emotional distance is felt strongly by the singer.
I can feel the distance getting close
The emotional distance is becoming more apparent and felt by the artist.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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.