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Shanghai Surprise Lyrics

I can't understand how I've gone astray,
I should be sailing away on a liner
I was knocked on my back on a dock at yang-tse
it's a hell of a way to see china

But i'm ready
you must be crazy...
and you got no money
and you're a liar

My straits are dire from the wok into the fire
i'd like to trust you but ive broken my rickshaw
sometimes there's no hope in, in chasing opium
I'd like to love you but i'm not sure what's in your eyes
mm, Shanghai Surprise

Whatever you're saying, I want it anyway in
been hanging 'round like a kid at your back door
Oh Babe!
you could be kinder, and show me asia minor.
I'll let you love me, let you see what's here in my eyes,
Shanghai Surprise

You must be Crazy...crazy
And you got no money...money
And it seems like madness...

Back streets so crowded that no room to swing a cat,
i'd like to know you but you're acting so coolie
I'm finding out pursued by evil looking dudes,
it's getting hot for me like tofu
when it deep fries
oh, Shanghai Surprise.

But, baby, you look like any common crook,
that's hanging 'round in those real shady places.
Oh, Baby!
while you assess me, why not try to impress me?
step over here let me see what's there in your eyes
Oh, Shanghai Surprise

I don't understand how i got delayed,
I should be sailing today on a liner
was kicked in the ass on a dock at yang-tse
It's no way for a man to see china.

But I'm ready
you must be crazy...crazy
and you got no money...money
but you're a tryer...

My straits are dire from the wok into the fire,
I'd like to meet you but I've broken my chopstick
sometimes there's no hope in, in chasing promises,
I wanna love you though it could prove to be unwise,
Shanghai Surprise

Whatever you're saying, I want It Anyway In
In hanging 'round For a ride on your rickshaw.
Oh, Babe!
you may correct me, now that you've inspected me,
Come over here, let me feel you
cut down to size
Oh, Shanghai Surprise

My straits are dire from the wok into the fire,
i'd like to know you but I'm not really social,
sometimes it's no joke, can't cope with opium
I'd like to love you but I'm not sure what's in your eyes
Shanghai Surprise

Shanghai Surprise

Shanghai Surprise

and you've got no money...
But you're a tryer.
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Cover art for Shanghai Surprise lyrics by George Harrison

No comments on this? I will change that.

George shows some excellent wordplay prowess on this track. Lines like "My straits are dire from the wok into the fire", "sometimes there's no hope in, in chasing opium", and "you could be kinder and show me asia minor" flow so well and really make the song. Even the title, "Shanghai Surprise", has a really nice flow it it's meter and alliteration. Also, some of the lyrics are wrong. He definitely says, "I was knocked on my ass on a dock at yang-tse", and it kinda sounds like he's actually saying "Jing-tse" instead of "Yang-Tse".

 
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