China Grove

Well, you talkin' 'bout your China Grove

The first time found out China Grove existed was in 2016, when I was in second grade. The Kahn Family was headed back from a wedding in Norfolk, Virginia, on I-85. (Funny story about that wedding: I was forced to wear pants that were extremely small and I spent dinner that night in a “formerly spotless” bathroom on 6700 Azalea Garden Road)

Anyway, being in 2nd Grade, I only associated the word “China” with the country. I had zero idea that chinaware/porcelain existed.

So when I glanced out the window after realizing we were only an hour away from home, you could imagine the look of confusion and disbelief that was on my face when I saw this road sign:

There’s a city that’s basically a huge Chinatown in North Carolina? Was this the REAL REASON as to why the Rug and Home store was in Kannapolis instead of Charlotte?

Fast forward seven years, and I was just as confused as you right now as to why I thought this as a second grader. But I also was not embarrassed. Not one bit. This is because I heard “China Grove” by the Doobie Brothers for the first time, and instead of feeling badly about myself when hearing the song, I actually felt captivated.

Here are the lyrics 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

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

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

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

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

Though it's a part of the Lone Star State
People don't seem to care
They just keep on lookin' to the east

Talkin' 'bout your China Grove
(talkin' 'bout your china grove)
Whoa, oh (whoa, oh) China Grove

I was interested in listening to a story about the simplicity of a small town, as I have never spent much time in towns off of the highway that have gas stations. I know very little about what it is like living in a small town, and this song allowed me to sit down on the main street of China Grove.

While I understand this song is fictional, it plants me into a different world and perspective for 195 seconds, allowing me to step away and take a break from anything that is making me upset or nervous at that moment. It has truly been a stress reliever for me.

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What is your “China Grove?” Let me know in the comments down below or by email.

-Zach

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