I Like Chinese

About I Like Chinese

"I Like Chinese" is a comedic song written and performed by Eric Idle and arranged by John Du Prez. It features on Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album from 1980, and was issued as a 7" single in the UK on 3 October 1980. It was later included on the CD Monty Python Sings. The song has four verses; the first discussing how the world has become a terrible place (due in part to "nuclear bombs that can blow us all sky high"). The song then segues into a jaunty melody in which the singer states that he "likes Chinese". Broadly outlining stereotypes about Chinese people (an example of this is the stereotype that Chinese people are short, in the line "They only come up to your knees"), it also outlines the achievements of China and its people, including Chinese food, maoism, taoism, I-Ching, chess, penjing ("I like their tiny little trees"), Zen, ping pong, Yin and Yang, and Confucius. Near the end of the song, an erhu starts playing to add more Chinese atmosphere. A high-pitched voice created by sped-up playback and meant to represent a Chinese stereotype joins the chorus as well. more »