After the Beatles stopped touring in 1966, George started writing more songs than could be fitted onto the albums so that by the time of the split he had built up a collection of songs, some used on his debut solo album, All Things Must Pass. The album, released in 1970, contains the two-time number one hit, "My Sweet Lord".
Harrison is also credited for creating music benefits, notably the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. Harrison played beside Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, and Leon Russell to a crowd of 40,000 in Madison Square Garden, New York. The show raised over $240,000 benefiting the George Harrison Fund for Bangladesh relief.
Harrison went on to release several successful solo albums, and in the late 1980s collaborated with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty, in a group called Traveling Wilburys. The group released two albums. Later, Harrison reunited with the other two surviving Beatles, after John Lennon's murder in 1980, to produce two final Beatles records, "Free As a Bird" and "Real Love" featuring the voice of Lennon, taken from home demos provided by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. The three Beatles also co-wrote a massive autobiography and television special, both titled "The Beatles Anthology."
Before his death, Harrison conceived of a Cirque du Soleil show, "Love," featuring remixes of Beatles music which were overseen by Beatles producer George Martin.
Harrison died on November 29, 2001 after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a wife and son, Olivia and Dhani Harrison. His last album, Brainwashed, was released posthumously and featured the single "Any Road".
A benefit concert in Harrison's memory was played on 29 November 2002 at the Royal Albert Hall. The star-studded event (featuring Eric Clapton and Monty Python, as well as former band mates Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr) was released on the DVD double-album, Concert for George.
Shanghai Surprise
George Harrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I should be sailing away on a liner
I was knocked on my back on a dock at Yangtse
It's a hell of a way to see China but I'm ready
You must be crazy
And you got no money
And you're a liar
My straits are dire from the, the wok into the fire
I'd like to trust you but I've broken my rickshaw
Sometimes there's no hope in, in chasing opium
I'd like to love you but I'm not sure what's in your eyes
Mm, Shanghai surprise
Whatever you're saying, I want it anyway in
Been hanging 'round like a kid at your back door
(Ooh, babe)
You could be kinder, and show me Asia minor
I'll let you love me, let you see what's here in my eyes
Shanghai surprise
You must be crazy
(Crazy)
And you got no money
(Money)
And it seems like madness
Back streets so crowded that no room to swing a cat
I'd like to know you but you're acting so coolie
I'm finding out pursued by evil looking dudes it's
Getting hot for me like tofu when it deep fries
Oh, Shanghai surprise
But baby you look like any common crook
That's hanging 'round in those real shady places
(Ooh, babe)
While you assess me, why not try to impress me?
Step over here, let me see what's there in your eyes
Oh, Shanghai surprise
I don't understand how I got delayed
I should be sailing today on a liner
Was kicked in the ass on a dock at Yangtse
It's no way for a man to see China but I'm ready
You must be crazy
(Crazy)
And you got no money
(Money)
But you're a trier
My straits are dire from the, the wok into the fire
I'd like to meet you but I've broken my chopstick
Sometimes there's no hope in, in chasing promises
I wanna love you though it could prove to be unwise
Shanghai surprise
Whatever you're saying, I want it anyway in
Been hanging 'round for a ride on your rickshaw
(Ooh, babe)
You may correct me, now that you've inspected me
Come over here, let me feel you cut down to size
Oh, Shanghai surprise
My straits are dire from the, the wok into the fire
I'd like to know you but I'm not really social
Sometimes it's no joke, can't cope with opium
I'd like to love you but I'm not sure what's in your eyes
Shanghai surprise
Shanghai surprise, Shanghai surprise
And you got no money
But you're a trier
The song "Shanghai Surprise" is about a traveler who finds himself lost and broke in China, trying to make sense of a foreign and confusing land. The singer laments that he should be on a liner sailing away, but instead, he's been knocked down on a dock in Yangtse, a less than glamorous way to see China. He meets someone who he finds compelling, but who may not have his best interests at heart. The singer is unsure whether to trust this person or not, but is intrigued nevertheless.
The lyrics use a lot of wordplay and allusions to Chinese culture. The verses alternate between colorful descriptions of the singer's surroundings and his conflicted feelings about the person he's met. He speaks about chasing opium, broken chopsticks, and getting pursued by tough-looking characters. The refrain repeats the accusation that the singer is crazy, broke, and a liar, but with an added twist that he is a "trier", someone who persists despite the odds against him. The song ends with the singer still uncertain about what the future holds for him, but with a renewed sense of determination and curiosity.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't understand how I've gone astray
I don't know how I ended up in this situation
I should be sailing away on a liner
I expected to have a smoother journey
I was knocked on my back on a dock at Yangtse
I had a rough encounter in China
It's a hell of a way to see China but I'm ready
I'm prepared for whatever comes my way
You must be crazy
You're insane
And you got no money
You're broke
And you're a liar
I can't trust you
My straits are dire from the, the wok into the fire
I'm in a difficult situation
I'd like to trust you but I've broken my rickshaw
I want to believe in you but I've lost my trust
Sometimes there's no hope in, in chasing opium
Chasing something that's destructive is futile
I'd like to love you but I'm not sure what's in your eyes
I want to love you but I can't read your intentions
Mm, Shanghai surprise
I wasn't expecting this
Whatever you're saying, I want it anyway in
I'm willing to listen to anything you have to say
Been hanging 'round like a kid at your back door
I'm eagerly waiting for your attention
(Ooh, babe)
Expression of endearment
You could be kinder, and show me Asia minor
I wish you would treat me better and show me more of Asia
I'll let you love me, let you see what's here in my eyes
I'm open to you if you're genuine
Back streets so crowded that no room to swing a cat
The streets are too crowded
I'd like to know you but you're acting so coolie
I want to get to know you but you seem distant
I'm finding out pursued by evil looking dudes it's
I'm being chased by suspicious characters
Getting hot for me like tofu when it deep fries
Things are getting intense
But baby you look like any common crook
You look like a criminal
That's hanging 'round in those real shady places
You frequent suspicious areas
While you assess me, why not try to impress me?
You're evaluating me, why not show off a little?
Step over here, let me see what's there in your eyes
Come closer, I want to read your intentions
I don't understand how I got delayed
I'm confused as to why things haven't gone smoothly
Was kicked in the ass on a dock at Yangtse
I had a bad experience in China
It's no way for a man to see China but I'm ready
I'm determined to overcome these obstacles
But you're a trier
You're a persistent person
I'd like to meet you but I've broken my chopstick
I want to get to know you better but I'm hindered
Sometimes there's no hope in, in chasing promises
Hoping for something that may never come is pointless
I wanna love you though it could prove to be unwise
I'm willing to take a risk for love
I'd like to know you but I'm not really social
I'm not good at socializing
Sometimes it's no joke, can't cope with opium
Some things are too difficult to handle
You may correct me, now that you've inspected me
Feel free to correct me now that you've evaluated me
Come over here, let me feel you cut down to size
Come closer so I can see if you're genuine
Shanghai surprise
Unexpected events in Shanghai
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: George Harrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind