Chinese

Album: It's Not Me, It's You (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Allen wrote this song about going back home to her mother. There are also direct songs on It's Not Me, It's You about her older sister ("Go Back to the Start"), and her father ("He Wasn't There"). This completed the set of songs about Lily's immediate family as previously on her 2007 debut Alright, Still she wrote "Alfie" about her younger brother.
  • Lily Allen's mother is the film producer Alison Owen, whose movie production credits include Elizabeth (1998), Shaun of the Dead (2004), Proof (2005) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2007).
  • Allen told MTV News that this song is, "about how, when people go away from home, they just want to be back on the sofa eating (take-out Chinese food), watching TV."

Comments: 1

  • Theresa from Murfreesboro, TnBeautiful song - the lyrics are so cool.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."