Sometimes I think you want me to touch you/
How can I when you build a great wall around you.

“China” is about how we build up barriers between ourselves and our loved ones. Tori Amos uses figurative language to describe the distance between her and her lover: even though she’s right next to him and can feel him breathing it feels like he’s in China while she’s in New York.

Amos also uses “China”–as in, expensive porcelain dinnerware. Usually our China is set aside, and never used except in special occasions. Amos asks her lover to pour a glass of wine in the expensive China. In other words, “put some effort into this relationship” you who builds a great wall around yourself. She also notes how it is interesting that her China seems to hide its cracks so well–just like her relationship looks good on the outside but is flailing. It is a good extended metaphor.

Amos is extremely prolific, has a beautiful voice and is the best piano player in rocknroll. The only one comparable is Nina Simone, though Nina isn’t really rock. Amos is also the best cover artist in rocknroll too. Just as Jimi Hendrix took All Along the Watchtower from Dylan and made it something better, Amos has done the same with many songs on this list. I feel there are two songs in the top 100 that she may have produced the definitive version of. Many will feel this is sacrilegious!

China is an original that shows she is truly one of the best songwriters too. It is melodic and poignant and well written. Her voice conveys the emotion of the song, and this is one of the aspects that truly elevates a song. She sounds tired, exacerbated but hopeful; and she communicates that all through the tone of her voice.

China Lyrics

China all the way to New York
I can feel the distance getting close
You’re right next to me
But I need an airplane
I can feel the distance as you breathe

Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build a great wall around you
In your eyes I saw a future together
You just look away in the distance

China decorates our table
Funny how the cracks don’t seem to show
Pour the wine dear
You say we’ll take a holiday
But we never can agree on where to go

Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build a great wall around you
In your eyes I saw a future together
You just look away in the distance

China all the way to New York
Maybe you got lost in Mexico
You’re right next to me
I think that you can hear me
Funny how the distance learns to grow

Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build a great wall around you
I can feel the distance
I can feel the distance
I can feel the distance getting close

Songwriters: Tori Ellen Amos