Originally called Hu… Read Full Bio ↴Wang Chung is a British new wave musical group.
Originally called Huang Chung which is Chinese for "perfect pitch" (though they later claimed it was the sound a guitar made on American Bandstand), the band formed in 1979. The lineup consisted of vocalist/guitarist Jack Hues, bassist Nick Feldman, saxophonist David Burnand a.k.a "Hogg" and drummer Darren Costin. Their self-titled debut was released by Arista Records in 1982 after several singles, including the minor post-punk hit "Isn't It About Time We Were On TV". In 1983, after being dropped by Arista and signed to Geffen Records, they changed their name to Wang Chung (at Geffen's suggestion, to make pronunciation easier for English-speakers) and subsequently they released Points on the Curve, which yielded two major hits, "Don't Let Go" and "Dance Hall Days"
In 1986, Costin left the band and Hues and Feldman continued to record. The same year, they had their biggest hits: "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" and "Let's Go", both from the album Mosaic. Not long after releasing their final album The Warmer Side of Cool in 1989, Wang Chung disbanded in 1991.
In June 2005, Hues and Feldman reunited as Wang Chung on the reality TV series Hit Me Baby One More Time, performing "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" and a cover of "Hot in Herre" by Nelly.
Shortly after, in postings at WangChung.com as well as the band's MySpace site, there was news of a new Wang Chung album being worked on by Hues and Feldman. In an e-mail response from Hues, he said, "We are shooting for a release around the March 2006 time frame and a tour in May. We are not sure who we are touring with yet, maybe Heaven 17 or Devo". Also on the band's MySpace, you can hear new clips such as "Hot In Herre" (The Nelly Cover) and a new song "I Was Abducted by the 80's".
China
Wang Chung Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
China, china, on the sea shore
China, china, on the dance floor
China, china, I must have seen your face before
I've been to cairo and I've been to khartoum
I've seen them places from my rented room
But that was nothing till I got to cathay
I've been to new york and I've been to l.a.
I've been to delhi and I've been to bombay
I've been to venice and I've been to rome
But now it's peking that I think of as home
China, china, on the sea shore
China, china, on the dance floor
China, china, there's no finer place on earth
China, china, I must have seen your face before
The song "China" by Wang Chung is essentially an ode to the country, in which the singer expresses his admiration and fascination for it. The repeated refrain of "China, China, on the sea shore / China, China, on the dance floor / China, China, I must have seen your face before" suggests a sense of familiarity, as if he has longed for this country for a very long time.
The lyrics "I've been to Cairo and I've been to Khartoum / I've seen them places from my rented room" portrays a sense of world-weariness or a sense of ennui, as if no other place in the world can compare to China, emphasising the extraordinary draw of the country. The comparison between the singer's previous travels to major cities like Paris, Rome, and New York, against his feelings for China, rips open new dimensions.
As a whole, "China" encapsulates the importance of travel and the power of the wanderlust, displaying how it can inspire a sense of homecoming to previously unknown territories.
Line by Line Meaning
China, china, on the sea shore
China's shorelines are beautiful and captivating
China, china, on the dance floor
In China, people love to dance and have a good time
China, china, I must have seen your face before
There is a deep familiarity and connection I have with China and its people
I've been to cairo and I've been to khartoum
I have traveled and seen many different parts of the world
I've seen them places from my rented room
I have experienced these places from the confines of my temporary dwelling
I've been to paris and I've been to marseille
I have been to famous cities in France
But that was nothing till I got to cathay
But none of those places compare to the beauty and wonder of China
I've been to new york and I've been to l.a.
I have traveled to major cities in the USA
I've been to delhi and I've been to bombay
I have traveled to major cities in India
I've been to venice and I've been to rome
I have traveled to famous cities in Italy
But now it's peking that I think of as home
But it is China and specifically the city of Beijing that I feel most at home in
China, china, there's no finer place on earth
China is the most wonderful place in the world
Contributed by Hudson I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John LaStrada
This was recorded for Arista Records when the band was initially known as Huang Chung. "China" is one of their best -- nice saxes courtesy of a band member named Hogg -- quite driving. This band was better than all those new wave hair bands. There was something Wang Chung had that those Flocks of Seagulls, Heaven 17 bands like that didn't have -- an edge, a dark side. Maybe it was Jack Hues with his hard look. They recently released a new album 2012 -- Tazer Up.
Carolyn Zaremba
I remember. I worked at Arista. I love this song.
IxAMxABU
Never heard of this band before, so I probably expect to hear some awesome music, and this is definitely a keeper. ^_^
IxAMxABU
@Andrew JS Thank you. I'll give that a shot. Discovered Microdisney not that long ago too.
Andrew JS
Try Leisure Process, another British New Wave group.
Andrew JS
Haven't you heard of Dance Hall Days or Everybody Have Fun Tonight? They changed the spelling of their name to Wang Chung.
Anthony D'Arcy
Haven't heard this in a long, long time! Thanks for putting it up 😊
Zedwoman
Love this. The first album, on Arista, when I worked there.
Rich B
That is so cool! This is my favourite album of all time I have to admit:)
DrunkenPostie
Still got the 12" with no scratches.