Jake Harper
The phrase Chickity China, the Chinese chicken appears in the song One Week by the Barenaked Ladies. The song includes a variety of pop culture references, and the lyrics are believed to be a stream of consciousness of a man dealing with relationship issues. While the specific meaning of the phrase is unclear, some listeners have speculated that it may be related to rumours about Chinese restaurants in the US or an avian flu outbreak in China.
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![7 [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Q+EsnUbhL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
The song is called 'One Week' by Barenaked Ladies
The song "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies contains the lyrics "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken". The song was released in 1998 as the lead single from the band's album Stunt. It became a hit, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The lyrics of "One Week" are known for their rapid-fire delivery and stream-of-consciousness style, with references to pop culture and nonsensical phrases. The song is said to be about a relationship, with the chorus depicting a fight and the verses representing the days in between. The line "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken" is part of the second verse, sung by Ed Robertson. It is followed by the lines "You have a drumstick and your brain stops tickin'/Watching X-Files with no lights on, we're dans la maison/I hope the Smoking Man's in this one".
There has been much speculation about the meaning behind the "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken" line. Some interpret it as a reference to rumours that Chinese restaurants in the US served cat meat instead of chicken to save costs. Another interpretation links it to the Avian Flu outbreak in China around the time of the song's release. However, it's important to note that the band has never confirmed any specific meaning, and the lyrics are generally considered lighthearted and nonsensical.
In conclusion, the song "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies is a fun and quirky blend of pop culture references and whimsical wordplay. While the lyrics may seem random, they contribute to the overall narrative of the song and showcase the band's unique style and sense of humour.
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The line is thought to reference rumours about Chinese restaurants in the US
The song One Week by Barenaked Ladies includes the line "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken". The line is thought to reference rumours about Chinese restaurants in the US. The song is a hodgepodge of pop culture references and inside jokes, and the specific line about Chinese chicken is believed to be related to rumours that Chinese restaurants in the US used to substitute cat meat for chicken to save costs. This interpretation suggests that "Chinese chicken" is code for "cat meat".
The song "One Week" is known for its stream-of-consciousness-style lyrics, which are meant to portray the way people fight, with each chorus representing a fight and the verses depicting the days in between. The song's structure and content reflect the protagonist's panicking and their mind spilling out random thoughts, pop culture references, and inside jokes. This interpretation aligns with the idea that the "Chinese chicken" line is not meant to be taken too seriously but rather as part of the overall nonsensical nature of the song's lyrics.
The association of Chinese cuisine with exoticism and otherness in the US context cannot be overlooked. Chinese restaurants in the US have often been exotified, with decor featuring red lanterns and colourful aquariums, creating the feeling of entering another world. This exoticisation has contributed to the perception of Chinese cuisine as "fast food" and "lacking hygiene," in contrast to Italian dining, which is associated with romance and better-quality ingredients in the American imagination.
Historically, the number of Chinese restaurants in the US saw a significant increase in the early 20th century, doubling from 1910 to 1920 and then doubling again from 1920 to 1930. This boom can be attributed to changes in US immigration law, which allowed Chinese immigrants to seek merchant status and start restaurant businesses. Prior to this, most Chinese immigrants worked in laundries, and the restaurant industry provided an opportunity for better economic prospects.
In conclusion, while the line "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken" in the Barenaked Ladies' song "One Week" may be interpreted as a lighthearted reference to rumours about Chinese restaurants in the US, it also points to deeper issues of cultural spectacle, exotification, and ethnic tensions surrounding Chinese cuisine and community in the United States.
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The song's lyrics are largely nonsensical and don't relate to each other
The Barenaked Ladies' song "One Week" features the lyric "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken". The song's lyrics are largely nonsensical and don't relate to each other. They are a hodgepodge of pop culture references and inside jokes. For instance, the song references the cartoon "Sailor Moon", the band REM, the actor Harrison Ford, and the director Akira Kurosawa. The chorus, which includes the line "It's been one week since you looked at me/Threw your arms in the air and said you're crazy", is about a relationship, but the verses are seemingly random.
One interpretation is that the song is about a man trying to ignore problems in his relationship. The verses, which are nonsensical, represent the days in between fights, while the chorus is the narrative and the real-life drama he is trying to avoid. Another interpretation is that the song is about a lazy and clumsy boyfriend whose mind is filled with pop culture references. The randomness of the lyrics could be a commentary on how American media makes Americans lazy.
The "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken" lyric specifically could be a reference to rumours that Chinese restaurants in the US used to serve cat meat instead of chicken to save costs. Alternatively, it could be a reference to an Avian Flu outbreak in China that was in the news at the time of the song's release. However, as one commenter notes, it is best not to try to make too much sense of the song's lyrics.
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The song is about a couple who have had a fight
"One Week" by Barenaked Ladies is a song about a couple who have had a fight. The song's lyrics describe the relationship between the couple, with references to their arguments and the subsequent days of tension and reconciliation. The song is known for its lighthearted and humorous approach to relationship conflicts, with lines like "It's been one week since you looked at me/Cocked your head to the side and said, 'I'm angry'" and "Five days since you laughed at me/Saying 'Get back together, come back and see me'".
The song also includes a chorus that goes, "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken/You have a drumstick and your brain stops tickin'". This particular line has been interpreted in various ways, with some speculating that it refers to rumours about Chinese restaurants in the US serving cat meat instead of chicken. Others suggest it could be a reference to the Avian Flu outbreak in China during the song's release. However, it's important to note that the song is also known for its nonsensical and random pop culture references, so the line may not have a specific deeper meaning.
The song "One Week" has been described as a stream of consciousness of a man trying to ignore problems in his relationship. This interpretation aligns with the structure of the song, where the verses represent the days between fights, and the chorus represents the fights themselves. The song also includes references to popular culture, such as "X-Files," "Harrison Ford," and "Sting," which may reflect the protagonist's attempts to distract themselves from the relationship issues.
Overall, "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies is a playful and creative take on relationship conflicts, using humour and pop culture references to explore the dynamics between a couple who have had a fight and their journey towards reconciliation. The song's lighthearted approach has made it a memorable and enjoyable listen for many fans.
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The song is thought to be a parody of an REM song
The Barenaked Ladies' song "One Week" features the line "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken". The song is thought to be a parody of an REM song, specifically "End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" or "Bad Day". This is based on a mention of REM in the 12" liner notes for "One Week", where the band refers to "Part Truth...Part Garbage", a greatest hits album by REM that includes both "Bad Day" and "It's The End Of The World As We Know It".
"One Week" is known for its seemingly nonsensical lyrics, which are a hodgepodge of pop culture references and inside jokes. The song's writer, Ed Robertson, has stated that each line has a specific meaning and origin, but they don't relate to each other or the chorus. Robertson is reportedly a big fan of REM, and some listeners have interpreted "One Week" as a nod to or parody of the band's work.
The "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken" line, in particular, may be a reference to rumours that Chinese restaurants in the US used to serve cat meat instead of chicken to save costs. Another interpretation suggests that it refers to the Avian Flu outbreak in China, which was making headlines around the time of the song's release.
In addition to the REM influence, "One Week" also contains references to other songs, such as "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd and "Scenario" by A Tribe Called Quest, which features the similar line "Chickity choco, the chocolate chicken."
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Frequently asked questions
The song with the lyrics "Chickity China the Chinese chicken" is "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies.
The lyrics to "One Week" include: "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". The song also includes references to pop culture such as "Like Sting, I'm Tantric / Like Snickers, guaranteed to satisfy".
There is no clear meaning behind the lyrics "Chickity China the Chinese chicken". One interpretation is that it is a reference to the rumours that Chinese restaurants in the US used to serve cat meat. Another interpretation is that it refers to the Avian Flu outbreak in China at the time of the song's release. The song is also said to be a hodgepodge of pop culture references and inside jokes, with no relation to the chorus.
![Chinese Chicken [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81yKmDxl+BL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
