John's first record released was under the stage name "Johnny Cougar" at the behest of Tony DeFries, his first manager. Mellencamp claims it was against his knowledge and will, and he hated the name. A few years later in 1982, he made his break through with the album "American Fool" which includes the hit singles "Hurts So Good" and "Jack and Diane" under the stage name "John Cougar". With 1983's "Uh-Huh" album, he added back his real last name to become known as "John Cougar Mellencamp." By 1987's "The Lonesome Jubilee" he dropped the "Cougar" moniker altogether, and has been known henceforth as "John Mellencamp."
Mellencamp has always been socially and politically active and supported the "Vote for Change" Tour in 2004 opposing the policies of President George W. Bush. Mellencamp is a devout evangelical Christian and strongly believes in non-violence; he has spoken about his beliefs frequently in interviews.
China girl
John Mellencamp Lyrics
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You touched me with your cool hand
Your perfume´s in the wind
China girl, your daddy tells you white lies
To keep it from my blue eyes
To know me is no sin
And I won´t break you, China girl
If you take me into your world
It´s been my good fortune to find you
China girl
Stolen flowers, are the sweetest in the mornin´
The eastern sun is dawnin´
Your silk´s against my skin
China girl, take me to your jasmine place
Cool me with your subtle grace
To know me is no sin
[Chorus:]
The song "China Girl" by John Mellencamp tells the story of a man who falls in love with a girl from China. He first meets her on the beach and is immediately drawn to her. She has a cool touch and her perfume is intoxicating. However, her father does not want them to be together, and tells her lies to keep her away from the man with "blue eyes". Despite this, the man sings that he will not "break" the China girl and wants to be a part of her world. He refers to stolen flowers being the sweetest in the morning and suggests that their forbidden love is just as sweet.
The chorus is a declaration of love and a desire to be with the China girl. He considers it his "good fortune" to have found her and promises not to harm her. In the second verse, he talks about her silk against his skin and begs her to take him to her jasmine place. He wants to be cooled by her subtle grace and insists that knowing him is not a sin. Ultimately, the song is about two people from different worlds who fall in love and the obstacles they face to be together.
Line by Line Meaning
China girl, I met you in the sea sand
I first encountered you, my Chinese love interest, on the beach.
You touched me with your cool hand
I was struck by your alluring presence and cool demeanor.
Your perfume´s in the wind
Your intoxicating fragrance is carried by the breeze.
China girl, your daddy tells you white lies
Your father is dishonest with you, in order to prevent you from being with me.
To keep it from my blue eyes
He is trying to keep me from discovering his deceitful ways.
To know me is no sin
There is nothing wrong with getting to know me, despite what your father says.
And I won´t break you, China girl
I promise to treat you well, and not harm you, my Chinese lover.
If you take me into your world
If you let me into your life and show me your culture.
It´s been my good fortune to find you
I am lucky to have met you and fallen in love with you, my Chinese sweetheart.
Stolen flowers, are the sweetest in the mornin´
Stealing flowers is especially charming in the morning.
The eastern sun is dawnin´
The sun is rising on the eastern horizon.
Your silk´s against my skin
I am clothed in your sensual silk garments.
China girl, take me to your jasmine place
Take me to the place where the jasmine flowers grow, my Chinese love.
Cool me with your subtle grace
Calm me with your gentle and elegant presence.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFF SILBAR, JOE NEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind