more from
TAIHE MUSIC GROUP
We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

A Letter From China

by SMZB

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

      $78 HKD  or more

     

1.
They used two types of weapons, lies and violence, cheated everyone to occupy this land. By means of all means and having no sense of shame, to stand victorious, the real war hero, has long been forgotten by them. In front of your grave, we will have a look in your honor, now watching our society, you're certain to be more angry. We pick up the guitar, as you steer the battle jet, we will keep on fighting, never give up. This song is for you, grandpa XuBi, we'll sing this song for you, in every city and country. We are so proud of you, grandpa XuBi, we'll sing this song for you, in every city and country.
2.
The life of a man and an animal is no different here, with a little money the body becomes machinery. Chinese warning signs can be seen everywhere in a foreign country, I feel ashamed, but they feel proud. The whole world buys "Made In China", but to think it over, of the cheap labor do you still feel proud? Pollution of the ecological environment demolished our culture and tradition, no real respect even if China made the world. China speed, the rich richer, China speed, the poor more bitter, China speed, on the road to demolition, China speed, the demons lead the way, China speed, power of greed, Made in China, nothing proud. Brainwashing education makes you stupid faster, poisonous food helps you to die faster. Corruption makes bridges to collapse faster, piracy makes you more money faster.
3.
Why? Why? 03:34
People are asked why every day, every day there are too many surprised. Every day people are being hurt, I have had enough of those pretentiousness and nonsense Maybe you know better than I do, just choose to let everything fall apart Maybe people are laughing at me, but I can only fell sorrow for them. Why? Why? Why? Why? Don't ask me why, only I can understand! I don't want to explain what, even if you don't understand (in fact, you are very clear!) Why? Why? Why? Why? What is the most important, I do not say you know! Say it and do thing right, so that it can make me happy! I understand right and wrong, true and false, I distinguish between good and evil and black and white. I choose my own way, so I will never stop. I will never feel too tired, because I'm so prepared I won't spill the wine in my hands, more I will not let loose of my fist.
4.
The poor regard you as a star, the mass make you richer. But when they desperately need you, no one spoke a word. You gain great fame with the sure shrouding around. This is all because of the fans who love you the most. It is too much materialist crave, that let you forget your spiritual needs. This system allow you to fear, dare not or do not want to tell the whole truth. When you want to be a star, you're ready to speak for the people. God made the sun to shine bright, so that the stars in darkness can lit the sky. S.U.P.E.R super star All of people lover your face But when they need some help somewhere They need your hands and your heart Oh, super star.
5.
Barbaric society filled with violence in the air, Whenever and wherever possible, everyone is prepared to treat each other as enemy. Everyone so easily displays violence. Whether it is in the subway, on the bus, and even in the plane. The government treated the people or the people treated their own, only knows to use violence to solve all the problems. Tradition and civilization have left the land And I can't see the world drift away from us. People fight for stupid reasons, they come from the same family. They hate each other, that's what I see. I see too much violence in public, inside and out I see too much violence in public I see too much violence in public
6.
Naked Punk 02:51
Hunan Hubei, bullet train too expensive Rehearsal across provinces, nothing matters Harmonious society, who is committing crimes? They said very ruthless. I am getting drunk. Several young minds, with little money Only sharing some ideas, and some time Society is changing the government officials who fled Plunder all there's left to the people of the unknown tomorrow At the age of twenty, I formed this band Singing my heart out only to give myself a sense of security and comfort I sing for the pain that's been inflicted in society Exposing the scars of history, I just want to express I never felt fear. We don't want to be stars, but just stay in rock No citizens in China, but only prisoners They are society's killer, we are punk rockers They are naked officers, we are naked punk
7.
Six poor Chinese guys and my American wife We play punk rock music, with violin and bagpipes We sing in two languages, English and Chinese We don't care about our accent, we just sing what we want When I drink the whiskey, I write some good melodies When I sing on the stage, I know this government is angry When I drink beer, I feel better and better Sometimes I get drunk, a bed is only what I want Since the year 1996, I started to play punk rock music Scream for life, freedom and rights, dignity and family This is a letter to all the world, No more racism, no more fucking war. Cherish your freedom, what we have never had This is a letter from Wuhan, China A letter from China
8.
In public squares or parks, Even in many universities You can still see his statue. What a fucking disgusting thing. It makes me wanna vomit. It really makes me angry. Every time that I see them, I want to destroy them all. Remove all his images from the bloody square Push the statue down, clean the bloody ground. Smash, Smash, Smash his statue! Smash, Smash, Smash it down! How many people did he kill? How many people are brainwashed? He is the biggest demon in the world He needs to be rejudged for the system to change.
9.
The government has been cheating and fooling the people Don't keep being indifferent unless you have been brainwashed What blinded your eyes, or are you just turning a blind eye? The truth is behind the window, just open it I'm waiting for the day, waiting for the government to apologize Confessing all the sin is the real beginning of all changes But they are still covering up the facts, faking the great image To continue the Monopoly Capital To consolidate their own positions and interests Confess! Confess! How could the government service the people if it doesn't dare to admit its fault? Confess! Confess! A government which doesn't admit it's faults here comes a nation which never admits it's fault Waiting for the day! Waiting for the day!
10.
City Folk 05:18
I'm standing high above the city Looking at all those people and buildings I'm singing exhausted but no one responds no one sings together I'm standing inside the woods being surrounded by flowers and trees I'm singing exhausted and hearing the animals singing from far away I came to the darkest corner of the city felt people's grudge and anger I'm drinking and singing alone drinking myself to drunk and singing myself to cry I'm singing exhausted, don't need anyone to sing together
11.
I hold my head high, towards one direction, never looked back I speed up, walking through the cold wind The wind messed up my hair, couldn't mess up my mind I wrote new lyrics, finished the music humming the new tune, arrived the Prison bar Ran into a few mates, drunk a lot together too drunk to speak, but still know right from wrong Came to different cities, read local papers Just like the CCTV news, worthless We flight by air, took the crowded bus People throw rubbish and spit everywhere, first in the elevator I can't stop singing, can't stop thinking Why people behave like this? I can't stop singing, can't stop thinking How the flower of society grows right? One world, different thoughts Will civilization grow beneath our feet? One world, different dreams Might need a hundred years to heal the wound of the ten years? I'm seeking the truth, searching the history Found out all the truth I know is not true I started to exercise, control cigarette and alcohol use Just to wait to see the end of this regime.
12.
Lying on the bench in the park, sunshine made me close my eyes But don't know why I saw my own face Remembered my family said that I was obstinate to make any change But I knew that someone understood that I had my own faith Warmth of the sunshine can't let me forget the darkness of this society No matter how much sunshine couldn;t light up all the filthy The only thing I can do is keep awaking Coz I don't wanna be the victim No. 12 billion Saw group by group of people, walk along with the winds and sands from far away Don't know if they ever thought about what they live for If they realized that unity will have more power Silent majority is the greatest harm to the society Jasmine is blooming at other's home, how could you smell it? Will I still be singing, when people stand up? How long can I keep calm and awaking? I don't know the answer, just a conjecture under the sun
13.
Set off your mask, let me take a look at your eyebrows Your eyebrows thin and long, it seems like the new moon up on the tree Set off your mask, let me see your eyes Your eyes clear and bright, it seems like that Wink general Set off your mask, let me take a look at your face Your face red and round, it seems like the Autumn's apple Set off your mask, let me take a look at your lips Your lips are red and small, it seems like the new cherry in May
14.

about

“While most artists are content to sweep political issues under the rug, SMZB have continued to carry the flag. Nowhere is that more true than in their latest album, A Letter From China, in which the band make their intentions obvious from the outset: the cover features a red tank with the caption ‘1989-2014 25th Anniversary’.

While their early lyrics were occupied with poetically squalid ruminations on sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll, SMZB’s more recent work has honed in on the political and social problems facing China. Their sound, meanwhile, has transformed from a raw fusion of early British punk, ska, and ’80s hardcore into Pogues-style Celtic punk punctuated by bagpipes, flutes and violins. It’s a brighter, even celebratory sound that’s transformed their defiant songs into something more soulful and sustaining.

credits

released September 27, 2014

Vocal: Wu Wei
Guitar: Xu Bi
Bass: Matt
Banjo: Tudou
Drum: Pigu
Bagpipe: Tang
Violin: Melissa

Sound engineer: Xiaowu
Extra Violin by Huang Yu
Mixed & Mastered by Steve Foote

Song translations by Han Chao
Cover artwork by Xiao Chao
Album designed by Wu Wei and Duan Yingjie

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Maybe Mars Beijing, China

Recording our time. (2007 - now)

discography

contact / help

Contact Maybe Mars

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like A Letter From China, you may also like: