Lucas Delgado
Take a bite of Chinese chicken is a line from the song One Week by the Barenaked Ladies. The song spent exactly one week at the top of the Billboard charts in October 1998. The lyrics of the song are meant to portray the way people fight, with each chorus being a fight and the verses being the days in between. The line Chickity China, the Chinese chicken is a reference to a verse in another song, Scenario by A Tribe Called Quest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Name | One Week |
| Artist | Barenaked Ladies |
| Lyrics | It's been one week since you looked at me Threw your arms in the air and said you're crazy Five days since you tackled me I've still got the rug burns on both my knees It's been three days since the afternoon You realized it's not my fault not a moment too soon Yesterday you'd forgiven me And now I sit back and wait till you say you're sorry Chickity China the Chinese chicken You have a drumstick and your brain stops tickin' |
| Composition | The song's structure is meant to portray the way people fight, with each chorus being a fight and the verses being the days in between. |
| Writing Time | 2.5 minutes to 4 minutes |
| Song Inspiration | The lyrics are a deconstruction of an argument between two people who actually really like each other. |
| Billboard Charts | The song spent exactly one week at the top of the Billboard Charts in October 1998. |
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What You'll Learn
The song One Week by the Barenaked Ladies
"One Week" is a song by Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies, released in 1998 as the first single from their album Stunt. The song was written by Ed Robertson, who also performs lead vocals on the song's rapped verses. Steven Page sings lead on the main hooks, and the two co-lead the pre-hooks in harmony.
The song is known for its many pop culture references, including the comic book Aquaman, the Toronto eatery Swiss Chalet, and the film Vertigo. It also references various foods, drinks, activities, and places. The song's structure is meant to portray the way people fight, with each chorus representing a fight and the verses being the days in between.
The lyrics of "One Week" describe a relationship dynamic, with the singer reflecting on the past week of their relationship and the arguments they've had. For example, the song begins:
> "It's been one week since you looked at me / Cocked your head to the side and said, 'I'm angry' / Five days since you laughed at me / Saying, 'Get back together, come back and see me'."
One of the most notable and memorable lines in the song is "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken / You have a drumstick and your brain stops." This line has been interpreted in various ways, with some speculating that it refers to rumors that Chinese restaurants in the US used to serve cat meat instead of chicken.
The music video for "One Week" was directed by McG and features the band performing in a variety of settings, including a royal court and a suburban street. The video also includes appearances by Carmit Bachar from The Pussycat Dolls and a female motorcyclist dressed like Evel Knievel.
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The song's structure and meaning
"Chickity China, the Chinese Chicken" is a line from the song "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies. The song spent exactly one week at the top of the Billboard Charts in October 1998, 25 years ago as of 2023.
The song's writer, Ed Robertson, has explained that the line "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken" is a reference to Busta Rhymes' verse on the Tribe Called Quest song "Scenario". The song's structure is meant to portray the way people fight, with each chorus being a fight and the verses being the days in between. The song is about an argument between two people who like each other, and the lyrics describe the passage of time in the week following the argument. This is reflected in the lyrics, which refer to "one week," "five days," "three days," and "yesterday."
The line "You have a drumstick and your brain stops" could be interpreted as a reference to the urban legend that Chinese restaurants in the US used to serve cat meat disguised as chicken. This interpretation is supported by the lyrics of Weird Al Yankovic's song "Cat's In The Kettle," which explicitly mentions eating a cat when ordering chicken from a Chinese restaurant.
The song "One Week" also includes an instrumental break and features instrumental parts played by band members Ed Robertson on guitar and Kevin Hearn on guitar and sometimes keyboards.
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The line's potential reference to cat meat in Chinese food
The song One Week by the Barenaked Ladies includes the line "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken". This line has been interpreted by some listeners as a reference to the long-standing rumour that Chinese restaurants in the US serve cat meat in their dishes.
This rumour has been traced back to the earliest years of the British Empire in England and the 1850s in the United States. It is believed to be rooted in xenophobia, with Asian culinary practices and cultural differences being vilified and seen as objectionable by North Americans. The idea that cat meat is used in Chinese cuisine may also be fuelled by the knowledge that cats and dogs are consumed in certain regions of China, as well as the historical consumption of cat meat in other parts of the world, including Japan, Okinawa, India, Cameroon, France, and Spain.
However, it is important to note that Chinese restaurants in the US are subject to inspections and controls, and only meats deemed acceptable by the USDA for human consumption are used. The rumour has been repeatedly denied by health departments and inspection records, and there is no evidence to support these claims.
The song "One Week" is meant to portray the dynamics of an argument between two people who like each other, with each verse representing the days between arguments. The potentially nonsensical lyrics, including the "Chinese chicken" line, could be interpreted as playful or humorous references to the back-and-forth nature of relationship conflicts.
Another song that references the idea of cat meat in Chinese food is "Cat's In The Kettle" by Weird Al Yankovic. In this song, the lyrics directly address the notion of unknowingly consuming cat meat in Chinese dishes, presenting it in a humorous light.
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The song's commercial success
"One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies is a song that spent exactly one week at the top of the Billboard Charts in October 1998, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2023. The song is known for its unique structure, which deconstructs an argument between two people who like each other, with each chorus representing a fight and the verses depicting the days in between.
One of the most memorable parts of the song is the line, "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken/[You have a drumstick and your brain stops tickin]," which has sparked various interpretations. Some believe it refers to rumours that Chinese restaurants in the US served cat meat disguised as chicken. Others interpret it as a nonsensical line that adds to the song's playful tone.
The song's success can be attributed to its catchy melody and creative lyrics, which have left a lasting impression on listeners. "One Week" has become an enduring hit for the Barenaked Ladies, with band member Robertson expressing that he hasn't grown bored of the song, especially seeing the joy it brings to audiences when performed live.
The song's impact is evident in how it has been analysed and discussed in educational settings, with one person on Reddit recalling their English teacher playing the song in class and facilitating a lyrics analysis. "One Week" has also inspired other artists, with references to it appearing in songs like "Cat's In The Kettle" by Weird Al Yankovic.
Overall, "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies has enjoyed commercial success, spending a week at the top of the charts and maintaining a lasting presence in popular culture, with its unique lyrics and structure continuing to captivate audiences.
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The song's live performances
The song "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies contains the line "Chickety China, the Chinese chicken". The song's music video, directed by McG, features the band performing in a royal court with a singing girl on a wind-up pedestal, similar to a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang scene. During the interlude, the band escapes and sings while driving a replica of the General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard. They drive into a suburb, where they perform a concert with a female motorcyclist dressed like Evel Knievel, who performs stunts.
Band members have stated that the first live run-through of "One Week" did not go well, and it took time to perfect the song's live performance. In 2003, the band introduced an acoustic, bluegrass version of the song, which they performed while standing around and singing into a single omni-directional microphone. This new performance setting was developed during the Peepshow Tour. With the departure of Page in 2009, Hearn took on lead vocal duties for most hooks, often singing them with drummer Tyler Stewart, who also performs harmonies during the bridge.
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Frequently asked questions
The song with the lyrics "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken" is "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies.
According to one source, "Chickety China, the Chinese chicken" is a reference to the rumours that Chinese restaurants in the US used to sneak in cat meat to save costs. Another source suggests that the line is a reference to Busta Rhymes' verse on the Tribe Called Quest song "Scenario".
The song is about an argument between two people who like each other. The song's structure, with each chorus representing a fight and the verses being the days in between, portrays the way people fight.
Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies claims that he wrote the song in about four minutes by improvising lyrics into a camcorder.
