chinatown
Martin Bogan & The Armstrongs Lyrics
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That's the time the festive chink starts to wink his other eye,
Starts to wink his dreamy eye, lazily you'll hear him sigh.
Strangers taking in the sights, pigtails flying here and there.
See that broken wall street sport, still thinks he's a millionaire.
Still thinks he's a millionaire, pipe dreams banish every care.
Where the lights are low,
Hearts that know no other land,
Drifting to and fro.
Dreamy dreamy Chinatown,
Almond eyes of brown,
Hearts seems light and life seems bright,
In dreamy Chinatown
The song "Chinatown" by Martin Bogan & The Armstrongs can be interpreted in various ways, but one of its most significant themes revolves around the cultural diversity represented by Chinatown. It describes the bustling street of Chinatown at midnight, as the town is at rest and everyone is asleep. At this time, the "festive chink" begins to wink dreamily and pine for a life of luxury. Meanwhile, tourists are taking in the sights, seeing the locals brushing past them, and noticing a wealthy-looking street sport who is inevitably delusional about his wealth.
Despite these external happenings in Chinatown, the neighborhood is described as a place where the heart knows no other land and where life seems bright. The almond eyes of brown, which is often used to represent people of Asian descent, and the dreaminess of the place, highlight the themes of hope, dreams, and diversity. The lyrics are critical in emphasizing that the crashing of different cultures can be pleasant, inspiring, and fascinating.
In summary, "Chinatown" is a unique song that tells a story of cultural clashes and contrasts in a deeply insightful manner. The lyrics are effective in representing the themes of the narrative, which include diversity, hope, dreams, and the concept that clashes can be pleasant and enlightening.
Line by Line Meaning
When the town is fast asleep, and it's midnight in the sky,
It is the time when the town is quiet and dark, when the stars are out and it is most late.
That's the time the festive chink starts to wink his other eye,
At this time, the happy and lively Chinese person begins to show their joyful and playful side.
Starts to wink his dreamy eye, lazily you'll hear him sigh.
Their relaxed and carefree demeanor becomes apparent as they gaze dreamily and sigh contentedly.
Strangers taking in the sights, pigtails flying here and there.
People who are not from Chinatown come to observe and are greeted by the swirling braids of Chinese people all around.
See that broken wall street sport, still thinks he's a millionaire.
There is a man who is ruined financially but is still prideful and acts like he is wealthy and important on Wall Street.
Still thinks he's a millionaire, pipe dreams banish every care.
Even though he is poor, the man's imaginary pipe dreams make his worries go away.
Chinatown, my Chinatown
The singer is fond of and familiar with Chinatown, as if it is a dear place to them.
Where the lights are low,
The environment is not brightly lit, it is subdued and relaxing.
Hearts that know no other land,
The people in Chinatown are proud of their Chinese heritage and identify with their culture.
Drifting to and fro.
People are wandering aimlessly, enjoying the freedom to wander and explore Chinatown.
Dreamy dreamy Chinatown,
The word 'dreamy' is repeated to emphasize the peaceful, soothing atmosphere of Chinatown.
Almond eyes of brown,
This is a poetic way of describing the physical attributes of people in Chinatown.
Hearts seems light and life seems bright,
People in Chinatown are happy and carefree, and everything seems brighter and more beautiful to them.
In dreamy Chinatown.
The singer is enchanted by the dreamy and soothing atmosphere of Chinatown.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jean Schwartz, William Jerome
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind