Meaning of “China in Your Hand” by T’Pau

Despite the popularity of this track, it can prove to be for a large part indecipherable if the listener does not have a proper background on its origins. What is immediately apparent however, is that the song is centered on a woman. She has strove hard to achieve her goals and in the process of reaching them now finds herself in an undesirable state. In other words, the main sentiment being put forth via “China in Your Hand” is to be careful what you “wish” for, because it just might come true. And when it eventually does come true, you just might not like what you get.  

The woman who is the subject of this song is actually Mary Shelley, the author of the literary classic “Frankenstein”, which she wrote at the tender age of 19.

 T’Pau lead vocalist Carol Decker, singer and co-writer of the track, became fascinated with Shelley’s life, specifically the tumultuous effect her success had on friendships, including her marriage. Mary Shelley achieved what she wished for but afterwards had to deal with undesirable consequences.

Facts about “China in Your Hand”

• “China in Your Hand” was released in October of 1987. Siren and Virgin Records were the labels behind its release. 
• This is the third track on the playlist of T’Pau’s 1987 album titled Bridge of Spies (which was their debut album).
• The single version of this track is considerably shorter than the rendition featured on the album, which features more references to “Frankenstein”.
• Interestingly enough, this track was almost excluded from Bridge of Spies altogether. In fact it only made it because T’Pau needed to add one more song due to another getting cut.
• The track was written by Carol Decker and and T’Pau guitarist Ron Rogers, who used to be romantically involved but have since split.
• Ron Rogers, along with Tim Burgess, also produced the track.
•  The creation of the song, though based on Mary Shelley’s life, was actually inspired by a line from her “Frankenstein” novel which reads, “Don’t push too hard, your dreams are china in your hand.”
• “China in Your Hand” holds the distinction of being the 600^th song to reach number-one on the UK Singles Chart, where it spent an impressive five weeks.
• Britons taking an ITV poll in 2015 voted “China in Your Hand” as their 11^th favorite number-one song from the 1980s.
• In 2011 Carol Decker dissed “The X Factor” judge Gary Barlow for publicly criticizing the way she sang this song.

Title’s Inspiration

According the Decker, the title of the track is based on an image of the face of a young woman she saw while holding a china tea cup, which belonged to Ron Rogers’s mother, up to the light.

Chart Success

In addition to topping the UK Singles Chart, “China in Your Hand” also topped the charts in Belgium, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland. Additionally it charted in Australia, Canada, France, West Germany, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa and Sweden.