Chinese Rocks
The Heartbreakers Lyrics


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Somebody called me on the phone
They said hey, is Dee Dee home
Do you wanna take a walk
Do you wanna go and cop
Do you wanna go and get some Chinese rocks?

I'm living on a Chinese rock
All my best things are in hock
I'm living on a Chinese rock
Everything is in the pawnshop

The glass is falling off the wall
My girlfriends crying in the shower stall
Each time it's a bitch
I should have been rich
But I'm just digging a Chinese ditch

I'm living on a Chinese rock
All my best things are in hock
I'm living on a Chinese rock
Everything is in the pawnshop

The glass is falling off the wall
My girlfriends crying in the shower stall
Each time it's a bitch
I should have been rich
But I'm just digging a Chinese ditch

I'm living on a Chinese rock
All my best things are in hock
I'm living on a Chinese rock




Everything is in the pawnshop
I'm living on a Chinese rock ...

Overall Meaning

The Heartbreakers' song "Chinese Rocks" is a raw and gritty depiction of the drug addiction and desperation that plagued New York City's punk scene during the 1970s. The lyrics describe a phone call from someone asking if Dee Dee, presumably Dee Dee Ramone, is available to go on a drug run to buy "Chinese rocks," a street name for a particularly potent form of heroin. The song then delves into the harrowing consequences of addiction, with the singer admitting to living on a "Chinese rock," having pawned off all of his belongings to satisfy his addiction. The glass falling off the wall and his girlfriend crying in the shower stall suggest a particularly tumultuous and unstable environment, all while the singer laments his missed opportunities and the bleak future he has dug for himself.


The song was controversial upon its release, with some accusing it of glamorizing drug addiction, but others praised its unflinching honesty and authenticity. Despite the controversy, "Chinese Rocks" became a punk classic and a staple of live performances for The Heartbreakers and other bands.


Line by Line Meaning

Somebody called me on the phone
Someone contacted me via phone


They said hey, is Dee Dee home
They asked if Dee Dee was present


Do you wanna take a walk
Do you want to go for a walk


Do you wanna go and cop
Do you want to go and purchase drugs


Do you wanna go and get some Chinese rocks?
Do you want to obtain some heroin


I'm living on a Chinese rock
I'm addicted to heroin


All my best things are in hock
I've pawned all my valuable possessions


Everything is in the pawnshop
All my belongings are in the pawnshop


The glass is falling off the wall
The surroundings are in disrepair


My girlfriends crying in the shower stall
My significant other is upset and hiding in the bathroom


Each time it's a bitch
Every time it's difficult


I should have been rich
I could have been wealthy


But I'm just digging a Chinese ditch
But instead, I'm stuck in my addiction




Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: DEE DEE RAMONE, DOUGLAS COLVIN, JEFFREY HYMAN, JOEY RAMONE, JOHN (RAMONE) CUMMINGS, JOHNNY RAMONE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@RBPAudio

I was a big Heartbreakers fan, and I was fortunate enough to see a live performance of the original lineup at MAX'S in 1976, the opening act was BLONDIE.
My band THE THE opened for J.T. & GANGWAR in 1979 at the UK CLUB, NYC.
Johnny had amp trouble during the soundcheck, so I lent him my 1964 Fender Concert amp & he blew that one up during their set too! https://youtu.be/dldNpUbs8zo

@waltzingpeter

Fuckkng awesome man, you’re a relic inn the truest sense of the word

@RBPAudio

@@waltzingpeter True! We are all relics from that era at this point.
It's a shame most of them are dead though.

@gilwood7530

NICE !!! I hope you still have it

@RBPAudio

@@gilwood7530 Do you mean the guitar amp?

@johnjones3714

I remember The The
Had a John Cale produced single?
Lived in NYC at the time

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@blue2134

This song is everything, thank you dee dee. Johnny Thunders you rock my world looking all stylish and fancy , I love it!! Hope you are both at Peace

@richardduran5915

Dee dee was the real punk he wrote this song

@leahflower9924

@@richardduran5915 yup Dee Dee liked to get more and more punk with each decade

@KratomFlavoredAdidas

God bless death.

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