Played The Garage February 2013 and have a further g… Read Full Bio ↴REFORMED! 2013!
Played The Garage February 2013 and have a further gig lined up at;
Newcastle University Students Union on Friday May 10 2013. Check the NUSU website for details.
China Drum were formed in the late 80's and were made up of Adam Lee (Drums and Vocals), Bill McQueen on guitar and his younger brother Dave on Bass. (They were to be augmented later by Jan Alkema, ex Compulsion, on drums when Adam stepped from behind his kit)
They are probably best described as pop-punk but that really doesn't do them justice. They had the guitars, they had the energy and the speed, but their melodies were just that cut above the usual offerings.
Their first album, Goosefair, released in 1996 on Mantra featured a stonking version of Wuthering Heights (originally released on Fierce Panda), and the promotion of this album saw them touring the world with Green Day, Leatherface, Doughboys, Ash to name but a few, as well as numerous dates on their own.
Their follow up album followed the traditional "difficult" second album path. Self Made Maniac saw them throttle down the pace, and focus on the songs. Highlights include the single Fictions of Life, Another Toy, and the genuinely menacing 60 Seconds.
Steve Lamacq was a fan, as were John Peel and Phil Jupitus; indeed there was strong Radio 1 support for them for a while in the late 90s. The turn of the century saw them release their final album, Diskin (released as The Drum). The writing must have been on the wall, as this album ended up being the album that THEY wanted to write, and soon after they were dropped by Mantra and the band split up.
Essential China Drum:
Goosefair:
Can't Stop These Things
Cloud 9
Take it Back
Pictures
Wuthering Heights
Self Made Maniac:
Fictions of Life,
Another Toy,
60 Seconds.
Diskin:
The Beast
Dogpile
Also read Andrew Meullers article on:
http://www.andrewmueller.net/scroll.lasso?ID=62&story=_full_story
Find The Time
China Drum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To find the things that make you smile, the things that bring you down
You can tell by the way you're drinking that it's not just a passing thirst
I can tell by the way I'm thinking any more pressure's gonna make you burst
So I don't mind it coming to an end
Cause this little thing's gonna drive me round the bend
How many knackered places must you see
Before you brain collects the notion that it's going on too long
It would be better if you cut it clean
You shouldn't mind it coming to an end
Cause this little thing's gonna drive you round the bend
When are you gonna find the time to take a look around
To find the things that make you smile, the things that bring you down
When are you gonna find the time to take a look around
To find the things that make you smile, the things that bring you down
I felt like I just couldn't go on maybe give it all up for good
That feeling only lasts for so long then it gets back to feeling good
I don't mind it coming to an end
Why should I
So you shouldn't mind it coming to an end
When are you gonna find the time to take a look around
To find the things that make you smile, the things that bring you down
When are you gonna find the time to take a look around
To find the things that make you smile, the things that bring you down
The things that bring you down, the things that bring you down
The things that bring you down, the things that bring you down
The lyrics to "Find the Time" by China Drum touch on themes of self-reflection, taking time to appreciate life's little moments, and the pressure to constantly be on the go. The song encourages listeners to slow down and take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life to appreciate what they have. The lyrics ask, "When are you gonna find the time to take a look around/To find the things that make you smile, the things that bring you down," as a call to action to take a step back and reflect on what's important.
The second verse focuses on the consequences of pushing oneself too hard, both physically and mentally. The lyrics suggest that we should pay attention to the messages our bodies and minds are sending and take care not to overburden ourselves. The line "It would be better if you cut it clean" may signify the importance of letting go of things that are no longer serving us and embracing new opportunities.
The song's chorus repeats the same lines, emphasizing the importance of taking time to reflect and find balance in our lives. While the song acknowledges that there may be a sense of relief when something comes to an end, it ultimately suggests that we should appreciate what we have and not take life for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
When are you gonna find the time to take a look around
When will you make time to pause and observe your surroundings?
To find the things that make you smile, the things that bring you down
To discover the things that bring you joy or pain in life and learn from them.
You can tell by the way you're drinking that it's not just a passing thirst
Your drinking habits suggest that your problems run deep and won't go away easily.
I can tell by the way I'm thinking any more pressure's gonna make you burst
I sense that you're under a lot of stress and might reach your breaking point soon.
So I don't mind it coming to an end
I am not afraid of things ending because it may bring relief or a new start.
Cause this little thing's gonna drive me round the bend
This issue is becoming unbearable and is causing me frustration and anxiety.
How many junctions do you have to choose from
How many choices must you make before realizing that you are stuck in a rut?
How many knackered places must you see
How many dreary or worn-out locations must you face before realizing a change is needed?
It would be better if you cut it clean
You would benefit from ending things cleanly rather than dragging it out.
I felt like I just couldn't go on maybe give it all up for good
I considered quitting everything permanently because I couldn't handle it.
That feeling only lasts for so long then it gets back to feeling good
This sense of despair is temporary and will pass. Things will eventually get better.
Why should I
I see no reason to be upset by something ending, as it may bring new opportunities.
The things that bring you down, the things that bring you down
The things that weigh upon you negatively can also teach you valuable lessons if you pay attention.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DAVID JONATHAN MCQUEEN, MATTHEW ADAM LEE, NEIL WILLIAM MCQUEEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind