Maida's parents split up when he was very young. He has a half brother named Adam, who is 18 years younger than he is. Prior to pursuing a musical career, Maida studied criminology at the University of Toronto. He married Winnipeg, Manitoba singer and songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk in December, 1999. On January 16, 2004 their son, Rowan Michael K. Maida, was born. Their second child, a boy named Lucca Jon, was born on June 3, 2005.
Maida has been co-producing music since 1999, when he co-produced Our Lady Peace's albums Happiness... Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch and Spiritual Machines. He has produced songs for numerous other acts since then, including Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson and the Veronicas.
Both Maida and Kreviazuk are strong advocates of the organization War Child.
China Doll
Raine Maida Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sour like democracy
She don't want your money
She needs your sympathy
She'll be your greatest lover
But she doesn't belong to you
She's unlike any other
Oh, she's your China doll
She's patient, won't be for long
She's hopeful, the time's running low
She's gone before you know
She's the alarm bell ringing
And she's your latest fix
The fat lady singing
The truth and that's some trick
Oh, she's your china doll
She's patient, won't be for long
She's hopeful, the time's running low
She'll be gone before you know
Before you know, before you know
Before you know, you know
She's sweet like honey
Sour like democracy
And she don't want your money
She needs your sympathy
The song 'China Doll' by Raine Maida is an enigmatic and metaphorical depiction of a woman who is both sweet and sour. The lyrics refer to the woman as a China doll, suggesting that she is fragile and delicate, but also valuable or even a commodity. She is described as someone who is patient but won't be for long, suggesting that she is waiting for something or someone, and her time is running out. She is also hopeful but with a limited time frame, suggesting a sense of urgency.
The lyrics suggest that the woman in question is not interested in money, but rather requires empathy or sympathy. She is a difficult or complex person to understand or possess, as she does not 'belong' to anyone. Despite this, she has the potential to be the greatest lover one can have, indicating her value and allure. The woman in question is also described as an alarm bell or a warning sign, suggesting that she is potentially dangerous or someone to be cautious of. The truth is like a 'fat lady singing,' further emphasizing the notion of a finality or end.
Line by Line Meaning
She's sweet like honey
She possesses attributes that are pleasing, attractive, and desirable
Sour like democracy
She may not always be agreeable or result in a favorable outcome, much like how democracy can have negative consequences
She don't want your money
She is not seeking material possessions or financial gain
She needs your sympathy
She requires empathy and understanding from others
She'll be your greatest lover
She has the potential to be a very passionate and devoted partner
But she doesn't belong to you
She is her own person and cannot be owned or controlled by someone else
She's unlike any other
She is unique and individualistic in her personality and qualities
Oh, she's your China doll
She may appear fragile and delicate, like a china doll
She's patient, won't be for long
She may be tolerant and restrained, but that won't last indefinitely
She's hopeful, the time's running low
She remains optimistic, but there is a sense of urgency to act and change things soon
She's gone before you know
She may leave or disappear abruptly and unexpectedly
She's the alarm bell ringing
She is the warning sign or wake-up call, indicating that something needs attention
And she's your latest fix
She could be the latest source of pleasure or addiction
The fat lady singing
The final signal that marks the end of something
The truth and that's some trick
The honesty of the situation is complex and difficult to discern
Before you know, before you know
Before you even realize or understand what is happening
Before you know, you know
Before you have a chance to accept or reject the truth
She's sweet like honey
Reiterating her alluring qualities
Sour like democracy
Reiterating how she can be challenging or difficult
And she don't want your money
Reiterating that financial gain is not her objective
She needs your sympathy
Reiterating that she desires empathy and understanding from others
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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