China Doll
Leroy Anderson Lyrics
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Metaphysical Graffiti
Anderson, Walkman, Buttholes And How!
We've got to get together
And we've got to save the snails
Let's board the purple spaceships
Before they set sail
I want a Yes reunion
No more Anderson, Walkman, Buttholes and How!
Listening to the opera
And smoking angels' dust
You can't get more fucking
Progressive than us...
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GO SUNS GO SUNS GO SUNS GO SUNS GO SUNS GO SUNS GO SUNS GO SUNS GO SUNS
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Eric Wincentsen "Greetings from the Humungous-
267@ef.gc.maricopa.edu The Lord Humungous!"
Glendale Community College, -The Road Warrior
Glendale, Arizona
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ALL THE WAY IN '93!
The lyrics of Leroy Anderson's "China Doll" refer to a beautiful, delicate, and artificial toy figurine from China. The song is instrumental and evokes a sense of longing, yet simultaneously speaks of grace and beauty. The tune sounds like a lullaby, leading us to believe that the "China Doll" represents something innocent and vulnerable.
The lyrics of "China Doll" in Dead Milkmen's "Metaphysical Graffiti" album, on the other hand, allude to psychedelic and philosophical imagery. The song mentions saving snails, boarding purple spaceships, and smoking angel dust, which is a type of hallucinogenic drug. Meanwhile, we can also find references to modern musicians in verses such as "No more Anderson, Walkman, Buttholes and How!" and "I want a Yes reunion, and you know I want one now."
The Dead Milkmen seem to be commenting on the triviality of popular culture, especially that of the 1980s, where people consumed music like fast food. Anderson, Walkman, and Buttholes are a reference to Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, and Howe, which was a supergroup composed of former Yes members. The Dead Milkmen are saying that they no longer want to listen to such fads and that they seek something more profound.
Line by Line Meaning
Dead Milkmen
Referencing the punk rock band, Dead Milkmen
Metaphysical Graffiti
Acknowledging the album Metaphysical Graffiti by The Dead Milkmen, linking back to the first line
Anderson, Walkman, Buttholes And How!
Listing various musical acts, including Leroy Anderson, Walkman, and Butthole Surfers
We've got to get together
Expressing a desire for people to unite
And we've got to save the snails
Arguing for environmental conservation
Let's board the purple spaceships
Proposing a fantastical idea to escape the earth and its problems
Before they set sail
Urging people to act before it is too late
I want a Yes reunion
Expressing a desire for the progressive rock band Yes to reunite
And you know I want one now
Emphasizing the immediacy of the desire for a Yes reunion
No more Anderson, Walkman, Buttholes and How!
Expressing discontent with the various musical acts listed earlier
Listening to the opera
Acknowledging a love for opera music
And smoking angels' dust
Referencing drug use
You can't get more fucking
Expressing a sense of being extremely progressive or unconventional
Progressive than us...
Continuing the idea that the singer is extremely progressive or unconventional
Writer(s): LEROY ANDERSON
Contributed by Evan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.