China Girl
The 411 Lyrics


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How do you find a place to sleep
When there's nowhere to go?
Life must be a living hell to you
Only time will show

There with no clothes or food to eat
So filled with shame
Each tear that sits upon your face
I know them by name

When will you stop to hear that voice inside
That you tried to hide
No one can save you but you

China girl
Hope you find your way home
'Cause my heart is beating
Waiting for your safe return

China girl
Everybody loves you
All those hearts are breaking
It's not the same since you've been gone

Each night you feel the need to hold
Someone you don't know
To replace the emptiness inside
Start heading home

Your place was never on the street
You ignored your call
Did you know that pride was in the way
Before you'd fall?

When will you stop to hear that voice inside
That you tried to hide?
No one can save you but you

China girl
Hope you find your way home
'Cause my heart is beating
Waiting for your safe return

China girl
Everybody loves you
All those hearts are breaking
It's not the same since you've been gone

I'm asking you if I could find
Just where you had to sleep tonight
I wonder did you eat today
Did you get on your knees and pray?

To free you from this misery
That's not how life's supposed to be
No need for you to carry shame
There's no one person here to blame

China girl
Hope you find your way home
'Cause my heart is beating
Waiting for your safe return

China girl
Everybody loves you
All those hearts are breaking
It's not the same since you've been gone

China girl
Hope you find your way home
'Cause my heart is beating
Waiting for your safe return

China girl
Everybody loves you




All those hearts are breaking
It's not the same since you've been gone

Overall Meaning

The 411's song "China Girl" is a heart-wrenching ballad about a woman who finds herself homeless and struggling to survive. The lyrics describe her desperate situation, with nowhere to sleep and no food to eat. The singer expresses sympathy for her plight and worries about her safety, wishing for her safe return home. He acknowledges her pain and the shame she feels, but encourages her to listen to the voice inside of her that urges her to seek a better life. He reminds her that she is loved and missed by those who care about her.


Line by Line Meaning

How do you find a place to sleep
How do you manage to find a place to sleep amidst the lack of proper accommodation?


When there's nowhere to go?
When you have nowhere to go, how do you cope?


Life must be a living hell to you
Your life seems to be a torment


Only time will show
Only time will tell how things will turn out


There with no clothes or food to eat
You find yourself stranded without basic necessities such as clothing and food


So filled with shame
You are overwhelmed with shame


Each tear that sits upon your face
Each tear that rolls down your face


I know them by name
I am aware of every tear and its significance


When will you stop to hear that voice inside
When will you start to listen to your inner voice?


That you tried to hide
That you have been neglecting or ignoring


No one can save you but you
Ultimately, you are the only one who can turn things around for yourself


China girl
A reference to the subject of the song


Hope you find your way home
I hope you find your way back to where you truly belong


'Cause my heart is beating
I am concerned and care for you deeply


Waiting for your safe return
I am eagerly waiting for you to return safely


Everybody loves you
You are cared for and loved by many


All those hearts are breaking
Many hearts are breaking due to your absence and the difficult situation you are in


It's not the same since you've been gone
Things have changed since you left


Each night you feel the need to hold
Each night you feel the urge to hold on to someone


Someone you don't know
Someone who is a stranger to you


To replace the emptiness inside
In an attempt to fill the void within you


Start heading home
It is time for you to start going back to where you truly belong


Your place was never on the street
You were never meant to be on the streets


You ignored your call
You neglected your true calling


Did you know that pride was in the way
Did you realize that your pride was hindering you?


Before you'd fall?
Before you experienced this difficult situation?


I'm asking you if I could find
If I could find you, I would like to ask,


Just where you had to sleep tonight
Where you had to spend the night


I wonder did you eat today
I am curious if you have had any food today


Did you get on your knees and pray?
Have you resorted to prayer to seek relief from your difficulties?


To free you from this misery
To release you from this affliction


That's not how life's supposed to be
Life is not meant to be full of hardships and despair


No need for you to carry shame
You have no reason to feel ashamed


There's no one person here to blame
No one person can be held accountable for your predicament




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TANYA ELIZABETH BONIFACE, SUSAN HELEN FURLONGER, CAROLYN JULIA OWLETT, TISHA MONIQUE MARTIN, FITZGERALD SCOTT, BRION JAMES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

I Want New Music!

loved this album, don't understand why they did'nt do a second one :(

Paul Jet

It has sadly bombed on the charts and they've been dropped by their label.

Sai Lains

one of my favorite songs... glad i found it again :D

Twenty3Eight

love this tune! do you have the song between the sheets by any chance?

Amethyst 208

@iwantnewmusicblog Because their label were awful to them. This song ("China Girl") was originally planned as the third single, but that got scrapped last minute in favour of "Teardrops". Worst decision ever!

Alana Skyring

@iwantnewmusicblog Pajama Club made for them another album. I know that stinks.

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