Like China
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2016}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Like China
| cover = Like China.jpg
| alt =
| type = promotional single
| artist = Phil Collins
| album = Hello, I Must Be Going!
| B-side = I Cannot Believe It's True
| released = 1982
| recorded = 1982
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Progressive rock
| length = 5:05
| label = Virgin Records (UK)
| writer = Phil Collins
| producer = Phil Collins, Hugh Padgham
| prev_title = I Cannot Believe It's True
| prev_year = 1983
| next_title = Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)
| next_year = 1984
}}
"Like China" is a song written and performed by the English singer and drummer Phil Collins from his second solo album Hello, I Must Be Going!. It was produced by Collins and Hugh Padgham.
Song background
The song, the third track on the album, takes a cheerful rock music tone. It opens with Collins singing with a British Cockney accent. The song takes an upbeat tempo and features a discordant guitar introduction, as well as a guitar solo by Daryl Stuermer midway through the song.
The title is a traditional English expression meaning "gently and with great care". The lyrics portray an infatuated teenager attempting to convince a girl to date him despite their different social backgrounds — as emphasized by the singer's affected Cockney accent and his reference to being from "the other side of town".{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}} In doing this, the narrator says he will treat her as gently as china.
Single release
The song was released as a US promo single from Hello, I Must Be Going! in 12" format.
It entered the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in December 1982, reaching #17.
"Like China" was also released as the B-side for the UK single "Why Can't It Wait 'Til Morning?" in 1983.
Track listing
=U.S. 12" Promotional single (Atlantic)=
- "Like China"
- "I Cannot Believe It's True"
Charts
| class="wikitable" |
| Chart (1982)
!Peak |
|---|
| align="left"|U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks
|align="center"|17 |
Personnel
- Phil Collins – keyboards, drums, vocals, handclaps
- Daryl Stuermer – guitars
- John Giblin – bass
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Phil Collins songs}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Phil Collins