Chinatown

"Chinatown" is a reflective, psychedelic-tinged rock song by English singer Liam Gallagher, released on 30 June 2017. It served as the second single from his critically acclaimed debut solo studio album, As You Were. 

In contrast to the stomping, brassy rock energy of the album's lead single "Wall of Glass", "Chinatown" presents a much more delicate, atmospheric, and tender side of the former Oasis frontman

• The Songwriters & Producers: The track was written and produced by Andrew Wyatt (of Miike Snow) alongside co-writer Michael Tighe. It stands out as one of only two songs on As You Were where Gallagher does not share a writing credit. 
• Musical Continuity: The instrumentation moves away from heavy distortion toward finger-picked acoustic guitars, layered vintage synthesizers, a relaxed drum backbeat, and heavily phased, psychedelic vocal effects. 
• Influences: Co-writer Michael Tighe noted that the acoustic and soaring sonic style of the song was directly inspired by his former bandmate, Jeff Buckley. Critics also heavily noted a relaxed, "Lennon-esque" classic pop vibe.

Lyrical Themes and Meanings

The song finds Gallagher in a pensive mood, tackling modern identity, social disconnect, and political climate:

• Cultural References: The track famously opens with the line: "Well, the cops are taking over / While everyone's in yoga / 'Cause happiness is still a warm gun." Listeners often interpret this as a comment on the rising police state and public apathy, while directly tipping its hat to The Beatles' classic track “Happiness Is a Warm Gun”.
• Post-Brexit Geopolitics: Gallagher touches upon shifting political borders and continental identity with the poignant questions, "What’s it to be free man? / What’s a European?" before offering a simpler, nature-focused perspective: "Me, I just believe in the sun." 
• Technology & Mindset: The second verse addresses digital fatigue—referencing how "telephonic doses" are used to "eliminate neurosis"—while highlighting a modern cultural obsession with winning and forward velocity at the expense of remembering the past.

The Music Video

Directed by Charlie Lightening, the official music video features Gallagher taking a thoughtful, slow-paced stroll through the streets of London, including scenes near the Thames skyline, Southbank, and Chinatown itself. [1, 2]

Crucially, the video captures a moment where Gallagher passes a wall of graffiti reading "We Stand United with Manchester" next to a black ribbon. This served as a poignant visual tribute to the victims of the tragic Manchester Arena bombing, which occurred just a month before the single's release