"Welcome to Chinatown" is a song by John Cougar (now known as John Mellencamp) and was released in 1983 as a part of his album "Uh-Huh." The song tells the story of the narrator, presumably John Cougar himself, attending a party in Chinatown. In the cool of the evening, the narrator expresses his longing to connect with young and tender hearts. He joins a group of his friends ("hardies") at the party, where they warn him not to get too involved with the wild and eccentric people there. The partygoers engage in activities like using cocaine and drinking wang-too, a term that may refer to a strong alcoholic beverage. At the party, the narrator encounters a mysterious woman who is portrayed as both old and provocative. Although she warns him not to be foolish, she also assures him that she can still be fun. The narrator expresses his open-mindedness, willing to engage with anyone without any commitment. However, sometimes the narrator finds himself entranced by the chaos of the party and ends up losing control. He describes a situation where he loses his footing and has to stabilize himself, comparing it to flying a flag at half-mast, a symbol of mourning or remembrance. The song takes a turn when the narrator encounters the "old bitty," a smart and witty woman who seems unpredictable. The narrator is unsure whether to trust his instincts or take a chance with her. The chorus, "Welcome to Chinatown," emphasizes the excitement and unpredictability of the situation. The woman entices the narrator physically, shaking and shimmering in a way that captivates him. She pushes boundaries by sticking her fingers down his throat, symbolizing a physical and metaphorical surrender to her control. The experience feels exhilarating and almost heavenly to the narrator. In the final verse, the woman takes control and asks the narrator what he wants to hear. He admits that nothing she says could drive him away, indicating his willingness to indulge in her charm. The song ends with repeated choruses of "Welcome to Chinatown," a reminder of the seductive and unpredictable nature of the encounter. Overall, "Welcome to Chinatown" portrays an exciting and risky night at a party in Chinatown. The lyrics highlight the narrator's thirst for adventure and his inability to resist the allure of unpredictable experiences and people, even if it means losing control.
