"Hong Kong Blues" is a song written and performed by George Harrison, released in 1969 as part of the album "Electronic Sound." The song tells the story of a colored man, possibly an African-American, who finds himself in a series of unfortunate events in old Hong Kong. The narrative starts with the man getting arrested after kicking old Buddha's gong, resulting in the loss of his twenty years of privilege. It implies that he violated some sacred symbol and offended the local authorities. This incident left him feeling hopeless and trapped in Hong Kong. In his desperation, he resorts to playing the piano to raise money for a ticket back home to San Francisco, the land of the free. He claims that even though he pretends his home is in San Francisco, it is actually in Tennessee. This suggests that he feels disconnected from both his actual home and the new place he is now stranded. The protagonist pleads for someone to love and support him, to help him find his way back to San Francisco and lay his body to rest there when he passes away. He even longs for a simple favor of someone lending him a fifty-dollar bill to assist his journey. However, he faces challenges leaving Hong Kong due to the influence of opium. The sweet opium is metaphorically depicted as a force that prevents him from escaping his current situation, trapping him like an addiction. Despite his hardships, the man deeply desires to see the beauty of San Francisco's Bay once again. He expresses his yearning to not only physically return but also regain the happiness he once had. In essence, "Hong Kong Blues" portrays the plight of a marginalized individual who finds himself in a foreign and hostile environment. It explores themes of longing for home, the struggle to escape adversity, and the search for love and acceptance.
