George Harrison - Shanghai Surprise

[jpw8583]

I like this song but the lyrics really are awful.

[coursestudent]

I just got a VHS of the movie Shanghai Surprise from the video store. Watching the movie's opening credits, I was struck by what a great song this is. I think the reason it got a Razzie is because of the horrible publicity of the film. Sean Penn was hated by the media at that point -- because he was punching them! Filming was a disaster; Harrison had to call a press conference in England to smooth things over. Finally, when the movie was released, it bombed big time.

[FlippyMyDog]

dont know how the hell did this song got a razzie. what were they thinking.

[bleep77]

I love this song! It's just so damn fun! I even loved the movie, despite the bad reviews.

Gweorge Harrison was a genius songwriter

[RingoStarrPEACE]

Love this song!

George you are great!!!!! ♥

[genericgeorge]

@mileysrockingirl I agree

[MrPabloMartinI]

It would've been great if the duet was with Madonna instead of Vicki Brown...

[fromthip81]

Mullet!!!

[Celluloidkid]

Love the lyrics:

My straits are dire from the wok into the fire,

I'd like to meet you but i've broken my chopstick.

Sometimes there's no hope in, in chasing promises,

I wanna love you though it could prove to be unwise,

Shanghai surprise.

[Celluloidkid]

The soundtrack for "Shanghai Surprise" was never released as a record or CD, and was only briefly available as a promotional single featuring the title song "Shanghai Surprise" and "Zig Zag".

Both of these songs have since been released as "additional tracks" on the 2004 release of the Cloud Nine CD. Another track, "The Hottest Gong in Town", was included on the EP Songs by George Harrison Volume 2.

[Celluloidkid]

I can't understand how i've gone astray, I should be sailing away on a liner. I was knocked on my back on a dock at yang-tse, It's a hell of a way to see china. But i'm ready. You must be crazy... And you got no money... And you're a liar... My straits are dire from the wok into the fire, I'd like to trust you but i've broken my rickshaw. Sometimes there's no hope in, in chasing opium, I'd like to love you but i'm not sure what's in your eyes, Mm, shanghai surprise.

[Celluloidkid]

Loved this song!! Thanks for the upload!

[vnisanianisback]

Unfortunately, Capitol edited out some of the bars for no reason. Shame on them!

Watch the music video for the song to hear the full song with ALL the bars intact.

[nafaidni]

This song was rated badly based on the:

1: Movie it was made for

2: The lyrics.(too many China/Shanghai Surprise stereotypes, i.e. coolie, tofu, rickshaw, wok, etc.)

I don't blame them, but the tune makes up for all that, :D

[NotNowMarti]

What? The worst song?? I believe this to be one of George's best solo works!

[lilypie07]

@NotNowMarti

Great song, Terrible movie lol

[scott29298]

well done george John and Paul taught you well

[verroes]

extraodinaire

[pogle30]

if your the quite one of a group of people, the average person thinks your not the one with talent, they are always wrong - as they are impress by the obvious, the loud, the all that glitters but is not gold. George was the gold and that goes for the beatles and the wilburys. The truth will shine through

[timeonfilm]

@pogle30 Very well said !!!

George was never really fully appreciated by a lot of people.

But we know better

There is a life lesson to be learned here as well

Thanx for your post

[timeonfilm]

@pogle30 Very well said !!!

George was never really fully appreciated by a lot of people.

But we know better

There is a life lesson to be learned here as well

Thanx for your post

[LucyHelterSkelter]

I loveeeeee

[harkonnenn]

Nice song, thanks for upload it!

[4FabBEATLES]

Poor George was always underrated. George said he only made music with meaning- not just junk. His music has so many importnat lessons and is still true today- if only everyone would listen to him and change the bad things in the world.

[alanwirral13]

no video, Ie Sean Pean and Madonna

[elperromagico]

"Back streets so crowded that/No room to swing your cat"

What a great/awful lyric.

[nafaidni]

@elperromagico

Wait, what's so awful about it? Doesn't that mean that there's no room to beat someone? Or idk...

[votier123]

it's just beautiful

[Lottjeh]

I don't know how long I've been looking for this song! I think I was 9 when I saw the movie, and totaly falled in love with Madonna, and this song, but now I've found it! Jesus I love it!

[JohanR888]

Same here! I LOVE this song..... :-)

[Grlleftbehind]

Always loved this song but could never understand the words until I went to one of those places on the net that give lyrics. This song won a Razzie award for the worst song that year from a movie..wrong, I think it's under rated. Thanks for sharing!!

[verroes]

@Grlleftbehind

extraordinary song

[BeatlesForeverGirl]

love this song!!<3

[jhossiel1]

the best letter !!

[gdosic]

Vicki Brown is a singer with a wonderful voice

who sings a great variety of songs,

but in all songs her voice is heard very well.Beautiful song. Thank you George for your choice for a duet.

And, yes, I simply love to hear Vicki sing!!Vicki's career sadly ended with her far too early death of cancer on 16 June 1991.

[4FabBEATLES]

not to mention George Harrison died of lung cancer young. It's sad all good peopel die young. George was always great and still is.

[zacisu]

I've always liked this song. Could never find it until they added it to the Cloud Nine remaster