china girl
John Cougar feat. Kenny Aronoff Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

China girl, I met you in the sea sand
You touched me with your cool hand
Your perfume´s in the wind

China girl, your daddy tells you white lies
To keep it from my blue eyes
To know me is no sin

[Chorus:]
And I won´t break you, China girl
If you take me into your world
It´s been my good fortune to find you
China girl

Stolen flowers, are the sweetest in the mornin´
The eastern sun is dawnin´
Your silk´s against my skin

China girl, take me to your jasmine place
Cool me with your subtle grace
To know me is no sin

[Chorus:]

Overall Meaning

The song "China Girl" by John Cougar Mellencamp feat. Kenny Aronoff speaks of a love interest who goes by the name "China Girl". The lyrics paint an image of the singer having met China Girl on a beach, and being taken in by her cool touch and the scent of her perfume in the wind. However, it appears that China Girl's father disapproves of their relationship and tells her lies about the singer to keep them apart. Despite this obstacle, the singer believes that knowing him is no sin and implores China Girl to take him into her world, promising not to break her.

The chorus reinforces these sentiments, with the singer expressing his good fortune in finding China Girl and reiterating that he won't hurt her if she lets him into her world. The second verse of the song continues the theme of stolen pleasures being the sweetest, with the singer describing the feeling of China Girl's silk against his skin. He goes on to ask her to take him to her jasmine place and cool him with her subtle grace. Overall, the song seems to be a plea for understanding and acceptance from China Girl, despite the obstacles that stand in their way.

Line by Line Meaning

China girl, I met you in the sea sand
I found you on the beach, oh Chinese girl

You touched me with your cool hand
Your touch was chill with a gentle hand

Your perfume´s in the wind
Your fragrance lingers in the breeze

China girl, your daddy tells you white lies
Your father deceives you with false tales

To keep it from my blue eyes
So I don't discover his hidden lies

To know me is no sin
To love me is not a sinful act

[Chorus:]
Refrain

And I won´t break you, China girl
I won't harm you, oh Chinese girl

If you take me into your world
Take me into your life's domain

It´s been my good fortune to find you
It's my good luck to get you

China girl
Chinese girl