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.
Wall Of God
China Crisis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crushed by the wave
Twisted for money
Born I a slave
Devil on my back
Underneath my skin
Laugh at affliction
Knock but don't you fall in
And for the first time
In my small world
I have touched on greater meaning
And for the first time
In my small world
I have given myself to learning
There was a freedom
Hard to define
Vain and outspoken
Like no friend of mine
Devil on my back
Underneath my skin
Laugh at affliction
Knock but don't you fall in
Fever in my hands
And for the first time
In my small world
I have touched on greater meaning
And for the first time
In my small world
I have given myself to learning
Sail on me sailor
From London to Cairo
Drugged up like fisherman
And cast of our halo
Devil on my back
Underneath my skin
Laugh at affliction
Knock but don't you fall in
Fever in my hands
The lyrics of China Crisis's song "Wall of God" explore themes of oppression, liberation, and the pursuit of knowledge. The first stanza is a bleak depiction of a person crushed by societal and economic pressures: "Down on the seabed/Crushed by the wave/Twisted for money/Born I a slave." The second stanza, however, marks a turning point, as the character experiences a newfound sense of purpose and freedom in learning: "And for the first time/In my small world/I have touched on greater meaning/And for the first time/In my small world/I have given myself to learning."
Line by Line Meaning
Down on the seabed
Feeling trapped and submerged, unable to break free from a difficult situation.
Crushed by the wave
Overwhelmed by everything that is happening, struggling to stay afloat.
Twisted for money
Forced to participate in unethical behaviors in order to make a living.
Born I a slave
Feeling like a prisoner to one's circumstances and unable to break free.
Devil on my back
Feeling haunted by past mistakes or negative thoughts.
Underneath my skin
These feelings are deeply ingrained and hard to shake off.
Laugh at affliction
Finding humor in difficult situations as a way to cope.
Knock but don't you fall in
Facing challenges head-on, but not allowing them to consume or defeat you.
Fever in my hands
Feeling a sense of urgency or restlessness to take action.
And for the first time
Experiencing something new or significant.
In my small world
Within one's own limited perspective or understanding of the world.
I have touched on greater meaning
Gained new insights or understanding about something important or profound.
I have given myself to learning
Committing oneself to gaining knowledge or education in a meaningful way.
There was a freedom
Feeling liberated or unburdened by something that once held you back.
Hard to define
Difficult to put into words or fully explain.
Vain and outspoken
Having a self-centered or egotistical attitude and expressing oneself freely and boldly.
Like no friend of mine
Behaving in a way that is unfamiliar or uncomfortable, as if it is not a part of one's personal identity.
Sail on me sailor
Inviting others to join in on a journey or adventure.
From London to Cairo
Embarking on a journey that covers a significant distance or involves many changes.
Drugged up like fisherman
Using substances or other means to alter one's perceptions or experiences.
And cast of our halo
Releasing oneself from inhibitions or restrictions and embracing a new way of being.
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management
Written by: DALEY, JOHNSON, LUNDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
krazystu1
Kevin Wilkinson on drums, amazing drummer.... Rest in peace. one of my favorite bands of all time.
idoliznuman
If you want an example of well crafted songs brilliant musicianship great production this album is it π
Volt7 Cool Tangs
Such a great album. Effing love China Crisis. Great work boys and thank you. Still sounding fresh and wonderful 33 years on in 2018.
WILLIAM ALPHONSO
Great underrated band! Truly great!!
Kevin Wilding
wonderful track. never get tired of listening to it
trevor smith
this was one of my fav bands in the 80's saw them in concert ! simply incredible !!
Mark Reynolds
Fantastic album, my brother played the alvum got hooked on it fsantastic
Robbie Sampson
If you ever got a chance to see them live from around 2005 to 2012 ish with the great Colin Hinds on lead guitar . His guitar solo on this track was something very special indeed.
EuropaThePirateTwin3
If you listen very closely near the start of the film Gone Girl, in the scene where the main guy is in the bar talking to his sister, you can hear this song playing faintly in the background! The film will mess you up though! ^-^' They chose a great song for the themes in that movie! Subtle, but brilliant!
Mark Wilson
i lost a girlfriend in June of 85. The album had just come out the month before. I went to sleep many nights listening to the end of this song in sadness and despair I will never forget it.