Before Chungking began Sean Hennessey was making music in his basement with his friend James Stephenson. When they began looking for a vocalist they discovered Hennessey's then girlfriend Jessie Banks, could sing. The band spent some time writing music and demoing songs and eventually demos made their way to Japan. A Tokyo DJ cut some of their demo CD onto 12" records and one of those records landed in the hands of the owner of Tummy Touch Records with the Japanese label reading "beautiful Chungking music" (Where the band eventually got its name). He tracked the band down and talked the into finishing their album. Their first album We Travel Fast was released on Tummy Touch records in 2003.
Chungking released The Hungry Years - mainly featuring tracks from We Travel Fast remixed and with bigger arrangements - on Gut records in Nov 2004.
Recently, a track called Following (from "The Hungry Years") became quite popular after being featured on a soundtrack of the popular TV show Nip/Tuck.
In the depths of Brighton, Chungking have been locked away for the best part of 2005 and 2006 recording their new album, 'Stay Up Forever.' It's mostly a more uptempo affair - but includes several of Chungking's trademark lush ballads - and includes production contributions from pop maverick Richard X. It is due for release on Gut sub label Gifted in March 2007 - a single 'Slow It Down' will precede it.
Voodoo
Chungking Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dancing again
Next to you
It's your voodoo
I won't let my eyes well up with tears
Seems like yesterday
It's been a hundred years
Can't believe I've been away for so long
And I feel if I let ya
Something good's gonna get ya
So I gotta decide
And I'm telling ya somethings
Always better than nothing
Go on give it a try
Never mind lookin' stupid
'Cause there's always a new kid
And you're just gettin' old
Gonna be who I used to
'Cause I don't wanna lose you
And tonight's gettin' cold
Oh, shouldn't be by myself
Oh, don't wanna be myself
I feel strange
Laughing again
Feel brand new
It's your voodoo
I can see what you're saying
'Bout the game that we're playing
No one said it was cool
And I'm tagging along
I don't know where we belong
It used to be next to you
Are you looking at her?
Tell me, would you prefer to be with somebody else?
Come on, give me something
'Cause I'm waiting for loving
Shouldn't be by myself
Oh, shouldn't be by myself
Oh, don't wanna be myself
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, shouldn't be by myself
Oh, don't wanna be myself
Oh, shouldn't be by myself
(fade)
The song "Voodoo" by Chungking is a reflection on the power of love and how it can affect us in mysterious ways. It begins with the singer feeling strange while dancing next to someone she hasn’t seen for a long time. She associates this feeling with the other person’s voodoo. Despite the distance, the singer still cares about this person and wants to reconnect with them. She doesn’t want to let her feelings get in the way, but she knows that something good could come out of it if she opens up to the other person.
The song moves on to describe how the singer has been away for a long time and how she feels like she's been gone for a hundred years. She wants to catch up with the other person and see what has happened in their lives during that time. The lyrics suggest that the singer is afraid of looking stupid or getting too old, but she is willing to let herself go and be who she used to be if it means not losing the person she cares about. The song ends with the singer expressing her desire not to be by herself and her need for someone else’s love.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel strange
I am experiencing an odd sensation
Dancing again
Moving my body rhythmically as an artform
Next to you
Positioned beside you
It's your voodoo
Your power to enchant and captivate me
I won't let my eyes well up with tears
I will not allow my eyes to fill with tears
Seems like yesterday
Feels as though it was only recently
It's been a hundred years
It has been a very long time
How you doin', what's been goin' on?
How are you doing? What have you been experiencing?
Can't believe I've been away for so long
I am unable to comprehend how long I have been absent
And I feel if I let ya
I sense that if I allow you to influence me
Something good's gonna get ya
A positive outcome will result from it
So I gotta decide
I need to make a choice
And I'm telling ya somethings
I am notifying you of a few things
Always better than nothing
Something is preferable to nothing
Go on give it a try
Attempt it to see if it works
Never mind lookin' stupid
Do not worry about appearing foolish
'Cause there's always a new kid
Because someone else will come along
And you're just gettin' old
You are simply becoming older
Gonna be who I used to
I intend to revert to my former self
'Cause I don't wanna lose you
Because I do not wish to lose your affection
And tonight's gettin' cold
This evening is growing colder
Oh, shouldn't be by myself
I ought not be alone
Oh, don't wanna be myself
I do not want to be alone with my thoughts
Laughing again
Reacting to something humorous with joy
Feel brand new
Sensing a fresh energy or enthusiasm
I can see what you're saying
I comprehend your message
'Bout the game that we're playing
Regarding the competition we are engaged in
No one said it was cool
This situation is not inherently pleasant
And I'm tagging along
I am following your lead
I don't know where we belong
It is unclear what our relationship is
It used to be next to you
We used to be positioned together
Are you looking at her?
Are you focusing your gaze on her?
Tell me, would you prefer to be with somebody else?
Inform me if you would rather be with another person.
Come on, give me something
Please provide me with some information
'Cause I'm waiting for loving
Because I am waiting for affection
Oh, shouldn't be by myself
I should avoid being alone
Contributed by Evan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@torchiest
This is one of the most amazing songs EVER.
@carmeli2310
I remember hearing this song on the Zara or Mango website back in 2007. I had to email them asking what it was. They responded saying that many had emailed asking the same thing. :D Amazing track!
@cameronh338
same, except I googled profusely.
@adriangabba
This song gets to me every time, many years on. First heard this on a MoS chillout CD.
@ammeriadonna
And me
@imanijoy
The beat is cold. Her voice is haunting. My hair's standing up. :-)
@1bellemeade2
This is the best Chungking song!!!
@rumblefish9
I still have my CD of this album!
@ApacheKid77
Fantastic. My brother told me this was Ibiza. This is ChungKing Awesome Music.
@Deleteriously
Took me two years to track down this tune after hearing it on the Shotime program, Huff. So glad I did because it is a n auditory gem.