Well, blimey, the only thread on this whole board for this band I can find is one started by Alex in NYC in which he said he didn't like this song. I MUST DISAGREE!
Out of the blue I heard this at work today in my head. I tried to watch the video tonight on youtube but it had a crap video that I didn't want to remember and really ruined the charm of the song for me. I just remember hearing it once on what was then mainstream AM Top 40 radio, (before technology and distribution would have even been *allowed* me to see the video) and it seemed a miracle to hear it on this station because I don't believe it actually charted that well. But that's why traditional U.S. for-profit radio was so much better then, because the oddball thing had a chance to slip through every once in awhile. For example, I remember a song by Adam Ant that was voted a favourite by local listeners that never nationally charted well at all.
Anyway I still think it's one of the most beautiful pop songs ever, this "China". Something about the sound just takes me right back to a golden age. The production is so delicate, so perfect. The way the synths sound like fucking bells or chimes.
Even David Bowie's single "China Girl", released the same year, can't top it, though I was pretty freaking nuts over that at the time.
― Bimble, Friday, 21 September 2007 05:19 (eighteen years ago)
Definately classic, but if I remember correctly nothing else on the LP came close to it, style-wise or just generally quality-wise. There was a love song to Nico, which I thought was a great idea but rather pedestrian.
― nickn, Friday, 21 September 2007 08:27 (eighteen years ago)
Yeah, that's the way I remember it too, that the album totally failed to live up to expectations. I didn't know they'd done anything Nico related, but then I wouldn't have known who she was, then.
― Bimble, Friday, 21 September 2007 13:53 (eighteen years ago)
Bump for weirdoes who could be awake at another hour of the day entirely.
― Bimble, Saturday, 22 September 2007 08:26 (eighteen years ago)