Sharing an affection for Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, and Brian Eno, Daly and Lundon had become burned out from playing with various Knowsley post-punk groups. Daly quit school and then spent much of his time indoors tinkering with synthesizers and a drum machine. Along with Lundon, Daly began writing songs using his high-tech toys. Feeling creatively stifled by the drum machine, the pair eventually asked percussionist Dave Reilly to join them, and in 1982 they released the single "African & White" as China Crisis on the independent label Inevitable. Later re-released by Virgin Records, "African & White" was also China Crisis' first hit in the U.K..
Throughout their career, China Crisis has seen moderate success in the United Kingdom, western Europe, Australia,Philippines and the Americas. Adding Gary "Gazza" Johnson and Kevin Wilkinson to the lineup, they recorded their debut album Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms. Another single, "Christian", hit U.K. #12, followed by two singles from second album, Working with Fire and Steel Possible Pop Songs, Vol. 2.
China Crisis spent 1984-1985 making their biggest chart run, beginning with their first top-ten hit, "Wishful Thinking". Third album Flaunt the Imperfection was produced by the sympathetic Walter Becker, and resulted in the hit singles "Black Man Ray" and "King in a Catholic Style (Wake Up)". The album was followed up in 1986 with What Price Paradise, though China Crisis worked with Becker once more on 1989's Diary of a Hollow Horse, which earned critical raves though not much commercial movement.
Sometimes misunderstood by critics, China Crisis distinguished themselves from Liverpudlian peers like Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, The Teardrop Explodes, and Echo & The Bunnymen by digesting a cornucopia of musical genres, everything from jazz to progressive rock. Despite the stylistic deviations, China Crisis maintained their distinctive sound through a number of albums in the '80s and '90s. Tragically, Wilkinson hanged himself on July 17, 1999. In 2000, Daly contributed a track to a tribute compilation to Wilkinson, Green Indians.
The Soul Awakening
China Crisis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ever so close and yet so far
And I believe in everything
And I believe in everyone
Under the weather
We should be over the moon
The soul awakening
Forest hillor mountain grey
Dreamy weather to make you stay
And I believe in everything
And I believe in everyone
Under the weather
We should be over the moon
The soul awakening
Firelight, this promised land
Golden beach and yellow sand
And I believe in everything
And I believe in everyone
The opening lines "Faster than a falling star, Ever so close and yet so far" suggests that the singer is envisioning something that feels beyond reach but is still hopeful. The subsequent lines "And I believe in everything, And I believe in everyone" further imply that the singer has high hopes and trust in the world around them.
The chorus "Under the weather, We should be over the moon, The soul awakening" is about feeling bogged down by everyday problems but realizing that there is more to life than just that. The soul awakening refers to a spiritual awakening, a moment of heightened consciousness that elevates one's perspective and outlook on life.
In the subsequent verses, the lyrics paint a picture of idyllic surroundings and the singer's belief in everyone and everything. The line "Forest hill or mountain grey, Dreamy weather to make you stay" suggests that the singer is comfortable in both natural and man-made settings, as long as they are dreamy and evoke a sense of permanence.
Overall, the song seems to be about keeping hope alive and finding beauty in the world despite its flaws. It's about the importance of soulful awakenings and not letting negative emotions take over.
Line by Line Meaning
Faster than a falling star
Moving quickly, even faster than something known for its speed like a comet falling through the sky.
Ever so close and yet so far
Close enough to touch, yet distant enough to remain out of reach.
And I believe in everything
Holding unwavering faith in all aspects of life.
And I believe in everyone
Maintaining a strong faith in humanity
Under the weather
Physically or emotionally unwell.
We should be over the moon
We should be ecstatically happy, but we are not.
The soul awakening
A profound moment of realization or enlightenment.
Forest hill or mountain grey
Describing the picturesque scenery and the mood it evokes.
Dreamy weather to make you stay
Weather that is so peaceful and tranquil that one never wants to leave.
Firelight, this promised land
Referring to a warm, welcoming, and peaceful environment that one is happy to be in.
Golden beach and yellow sand
A beach filled with precious golden sand that sparkles in the sunlight.
Contributed by Cole C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.