Page type: lyric reference
Artist: John Prine
Canonical path: /prine-john/chinatown
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
Chinatown
Read Chinatown lyrics by John Prine on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
Chinatown
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Well, the moon is yellow and the people are too
They roll eggs on a bar-b-que
I was feeling kinda cocky with a head full of sake
Down in Chinatown
There was dragons flyin' kites high above the stores
Dead fish heads laying on the floor
I got a sideways hickey from a slant-eyed chickie
Down in Chinatown
And it was suddenly, was suddenly, whoa whoa
Yeah, suddenly Yeah, Suddenly whoa whoa
They smelled fish
We smelled like a meat
Sucking on a soda pop oh so sweet
Got a sugar rush that'd would make 'em blush
Down in Chinatown
Won ton two ton three ton four
Smoke a cigarette throw it on the floor
I killed the pie-faced mothey with a shoeshine clothy
Down in Chinatown
It was suddenly, was suddenly, whoa whoa
Yeah, suddenly, Yeah, suddenly whoa whoa
The moonie is yellowie and the people are too
They roll eggs on a bar-b-que
I was feeling kinda cocky with head full of Saki
Down in Chinatown
I got a sideways hickey from a slant-eyed chickie
Down in Chinatown
Hey, down in Chinatown
Hey, down in Chinatown
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "Chinatown"?
John Prine performs "Chinatown", and this lyric page sits inside the John Prine catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Chinatown"?
Yes. The related section below points to 'Til a Tear Becomes a Rose and Aimless Love with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by John Prine?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through John Prine's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on Chinatown yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.