In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Living and dying
In Chinatown
Yes they're living and dying down in old Chinatown
In Chinatown
You better look around
Man, you don't stand a chance if you go down in Chinatown
Man, you don't stand a chance if you go down in Chinatown
Laughing and crying you know it's a fact
They're not laughing they are crying
'Cause they won't be back
Oh no you don't come back
Not from Chinatown
Man, you don't stand a chance if you go down in Chinatown
Man, you don't stand a chance if you go down in Chinatown
Chinatown, it's a different scene
There are people there, they are so obscene
If you see what I mean
Then they've sold you the dream
Down in Chinatown
What goes up it must come down
Living and dying
There is no release
Living and dying
There is no relief
There is no beliefs
Not in Chinatown
Man, you don't stand a chance if you go down in Chinatown
Man, you don't stand a chance if you go down in Chinatown
In Chinatown
Yes they're living and dying down in old Chinatown
In Chinatown
You better look around
Man, you don't stand a chance if you go down in Chinatown
Man, you don't stand a chance if you go down in Chinatown
Laughing and crying you know it's a fact
They're not laughing they are crying
'Cause they won't be back
Oh no you don't come back
Not from Chinatown
Man, you don't stand a chance if you go down in Chinatown
Man, you don't stand a chance if you go down in Chinatown
Chinatown, it's a different scene
There are people there, they are so obscene
If you see what I mean
Then they've sold you the dream
Down in Chinatown
What goes up it must come down
Living and dying
There is no release
Living and dying
There is no relief
There is no beliefs
Not in Chinatown
Man, you don't stand a chance if you go down in Chinatown
Man, you don't stand a chance if you go down in Chinatown
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
this song rocks.i just love the crunchy tone off the guitar at the start of the song.This is a serious rock song for any party-just gets people rockin!
I think it's about Lynots addiction to Heroin and quite posssibly gambling. Heroin is often called "China".
This is a seriously good rock song. It's hard to say why it stands above the rest (maybe the riff or the way he sings "Chinatown" or that solo) and maybe it doesn't, but I find myself coming back to this one more than any other TL song.