chinatown
Roy Wood Lyrics


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Bury a jar of shaosing
When the girl is born
Surely you know the wine will age
Till she’s fully grown

Don't fly into the night
Soon enough the world will end
While the lantern is right

I could find a good time girl in Chinatown, Chinatown
Dancing in my shoes
See the eastern ladies walk in Chinatown
Chinatown, chain me down, Chinatown

Maybe, I'll drink your jasmine tea
Then I'll hurry home
Surely you know the likes of me
Should be left alone

Why they like me for?
Soon enough the world will end
If I answer the door

I could find a good time girl in Chinatown, Chinatown
Dancing in my shoes
See the eastern ladies walk in Chinatown
Chinatown, chain me down, Chinatown

Look at the tall pagoda through
Through your window pane
Watching it by your dragon night
On a cocoa day

You'll discover the white
Orchids in my humble moon
While the lantern is right

I could find a good time girl in Chinatown, Chinatown
Dancing in my shoes




See the eastern ladies walk in Chinatown
Chinatown, chain me down, Chinatown

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Roy Wood's song "Chinatown" appear to be about the experiences of a foreigner in the titular location. The opening lines suggest a local custom of preserving wine for years as a gift for a newborn girl until she becomes a grown woman. The mention of flying into the night seems to refer to the transience of life and the need to make the most of it before it ends. The lyrics then shift to a focus on the singer's own desires, specifically his attraction to the women of Chinatown. There is a sense that he enjoys their company but is aware that his interest in them may not be reciprocated.


The second verse features more mystical imagery, with references to jasmine tea and a dragon. The singer expresses ambivalence about the attention he receives, asking why the women of Chinatown like him and suggesting that he should be left alone. The lyrics end with a description of the pagoda, which is visible through a window and is described as a humble moon. This is followed by another repetition of the chorus, indicating that the singer is still drawn to the pleasures of Chinatown despite his misgivings.


Line by Line Meaning

Bury a jar of shaosing
Place a jar of shaosing in the ground


When the girl is born
At the time of a daughter's birth


Surely you know the wine will age
It is known that the wine will mature over time


Till she’s fully grown
Until she reaches adulthood


Don't fly into the night
Do not venture out at night


Soon enough the world will end
The world will eventually come to an end


While the lantern is right
Take action while there is still light


I could find a good time girl in Chinatown, Chinatown
I could meet a fun-loving woman in Chinatown


Dancing in my shoes
Enjoying myself without any cares or worries


See the eastern ladies walk in Chinatown
Observe the women of the East as they walk by in Chinatown


Chinatown, chain me down, Chinatown
Feel tied down to the sights and sounds of Chinatown


Maybe, I'll drink your jasmine tea
I might try your jasmine tea


Then I'll hurry home
Afterward, I will return to my dwelling


Surely you know the likes of me
I am someone who you should not associate with


Should be left alone
It is best for me to be alone


Why they like me for?
Why are they fond of me?


If I answer the door
If I open the door to strangers


Look at the tall pagoda through
Gaze at the tall pagoda visible through the window


Through your window pane
Refers to the glass of the window


Watching it by your dragon night
Watching the dragon night by the pagoda


On a cocoa day
On a day with a warm, pleasant atmosphere


You'll discover the white
You will encounter the white


Orchids in my humble moon
Modest moonlight that reveals orchids


Chinatown, chain me down, Chinatown
Feel tied down to the sights and sounds of Chinatown




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROY WOOD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@TheSemtexCow

Dave Milton That’s not exactly what happened.
When Jeff got star struck in the Travelling Wilburys, he lost total interest in the band.
By then everyone but Bev (who couldn’t be sacked as a founding member) and Richard Tandy had been sacked by Jeff.
Bev who owned a 50% stake in the band wanted to continue, and wanted the rest of the band back.
After a lot of legal expense Jeff agree’d to let Bev carry on but only if Part2 was added to the name, and during all interviews it made explicit that Jeff wasn’t involved anymore.
This agreement allowed Bev to reform the band without Jeff, and to be able to play live all of their back catalogue but not use them on any new albums.
Now brummies don’t always listen to the letter of the law lol, and the band went on to release many live albums containing all of the old hits that Jeff owned.
This went on for years, until Jeff now a very rich man sent the lawyers in to shut it down.
Unable to play any of the hit records it killed ELO Part2 dead.
Bev was down on his luck after his livelihood (and that of the other band members) was taken away, he sold his 50% stake to Jeff in 1999-2000.
Jeff comes across as such a nice guy, but how he treated guys he’d known and worked with for years ain’t nice.
Hugh Mc Dowel and Melvyn Gale were sacked by fax in 1979, and Kelly Groucutt dropped without warning in 1983.



All comments from YouTube:

@trevorastley1727

What a very underrated musician, a very clever and articulate man. I used to play this 45 to death on my mono record player in mid 70s. His layered music and voice is other worldly.

@dahmgood1

Have loved this song since I was in junior high school...I'm 60 now.

@descamm9313

Still as good these years on, a credit to Roy Wood, Brilliant, 🎤🎸🎹🎷🎻

@clarenceclutterbuck

The Chinesey sounding guitar lick interjections are brilliant!

@christopherthomas7253

I literally can not get enough of this song.

@rogerpyle1976

Love Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood harmonies. The Move one of the very best!

@austinreid7229

Roy Wood is a legend.There is lesser singer songwriters parading around being called Sir this or Sir that.Its about time he got what he deserves.Lets start a page on Facebook and get one of England's finest a knighthood.

@sharpvidtube

David Bowie rejected his. John Lennon wasn't Sir. I think Roy Wood is in good company.

@SamSprole

Who the hell cares about that bullshit?

@paulkinsella6536

@@SamSprole Roy Wood wrote some great songs, and the Move were a great band. Never understood how they didn't gain higher acclaim. I really like, Tonight, Chinatown, Curly and California Man! Here's to The Move! 👍

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