Inspiration Behind China Grove:
Led singer and songwriter Tom Johnston was moved to write a song about a fictional small town. Tom envisioned a place where gossip spread throughout a quirky town. Oddly enough, Tom wasn’t aware that China Grove was an actual place in Texas. Nonetheless, Johnston stuck with his invented China Grove where a guitar riff and chord structure naturally flowed during a Doobie Brothers’ jam session. Once everything was put together, China Grove became one of the Doobie Brothers all-time hits.
Biblical Application:
A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. 28 A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends, Proverbs 16:27-28.
Exegesis of China Grove:
When the sun comes up on a sleepy little town
Down around San Antone
And the folks are risin’ for another day
‘Round about their homes
Tom has a vision of a town in remote Texas town. The locals are getting up to start a new day.
The people of the town are strange
And they’re proud of where they came
Well, you talkin’ ’bout your China Grove
(talkin’ ’bout your china grove)
Whoa, oh (whoa, oh) China Grove
Citizens are obvious to this quirky town. They are proud of this place, boasting of China Frove.
Well the preacher and the teacher
Lord, they’re a caution
They are the talk of the town
When the gossip gets to flyin’ and they ain’t lyin’
When the sun goes underground
Church and school leaders are outspoken. These individuals are the talk of the town. When the sun goes down, gossip intensifies.
They say that the father’s insane
And dear Mrs. Perkin’s a game
Well, talkin’ ’bout your China Grove
(talkin’ ’bout your china grove)
Whoa, oh (whoa, oh) China Grove
A priest and female teacher have been targeted as the town begins to believe this slander as truth. This is just another day in China Grove.
But everyday there’s a new thing comin’
The ways of an oriental view
The sheriff and his buddies with their samurai swords
You can even hear the music at night
People from the Far East has recently relocated. They have brought their oriental practices with them. Even their music stands out at night.
Though it’s a part of the Lone Star State
People don’t seem to care
They just keep on lookin’ to the east
Texas doesn’t mind immigrants, waiting on the sun to rise on another day.
Talkin’ ’bout your China Grove
(talkin’ ’bout your china grove)
Whoa, oh (whoa, oh) China Grove
The lyrics point to a new section of town. The fictional China Grove, not the actual same town in Texas.
Final Thoughts:
When I entered high school, China Grove was one of my favorite songs. Back in these days, I didn’t pay attention to lyrics, my main focus was the beat, melody and sound. Decades later, the lyrics could refer to any small town as gossip and pride can be found anywhere. This sad reality can spread like a spiritual cancer, ruining the lives and reputations of good people. Perhaps, in their later years, songs like Jesus is still alright with me by the Doobie Brothers provided a more positive message.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 