Chinese Food

Album: Single Release Only (2013)
Charted: 29
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This ditty about loving Chinese food was penned by songwriter/rapper Patrice Wilson, the head of Ark Music Factory and the guy behind Rebecca Black's viral hit, "Friday." He told MTV News: "I wrote [the song] last July the night before my birthday when I was sitting down with some China Express takeaway."

    "I just thought, 'Wait a second, I love Chinese food!," Wilson added. "I can make that a song because there are no Chinese food songs out there!'"
  • Wilson penned the song in half an hour. "When you sing about stuff you love, it's not hard," he told MTV News. ("Friday" only took him a quarter an hour to write.)
  • The tribute to fried rice, egg noodles and "Chow Mo-Mo-Mo-Mo Mein" is sung by 13-year-old Alison Gold, who is a member of Tweenchronic, a Hip-Hop duo that released a song and video for Ark Music called "Skip Rope." Wilson chose Alison after a nearly three-month search, after remembering her "bubbly" personality from their previous collaboration. "She sang the demo and it sounded great and I knew immediately that I had the perfect person for 'Chinese Food,'" he told MTV News, noting that it didn't hurt that the teenage singer also loves Asian cuisine.
  • The song describes at the beginning of the song Alison's average day of bowling, clubbing, hugging and being hungry. We're not sure how the barely-turned teenager gets in clubs but we assume now the video is a viral hit, they'll be taking a closer look at her fake ID!
  • We hear Patrice Wilson spitting a verse about liking Chinese food too. The rapper tells us that he also wants some broccoli whilst he plays Monopoly presumably because the two words rhyme.
  • Wilson also appears in the video. He plays the middle aged guy in the panda bear suit, who rather disturbingly befriends Alison, gatecrashes a slumber party and takes part in a pillow fight with her friends. He admitted to MTV News regretting his choice of attire as it was a 90-degree day in Burbank on the day of filming.
  • The sleepover scene in the video was shot in Alison's actual bedroom. "When Patrice flies away in the in the little rainbow he's actually flying through the roof of my house," she revealed to MTV News of the clip's surprise ending.

Comments: 1

  • Brett from Lakewood OhioWhat is the name of the girl that works at the Chinese restaurant in the video “ I love Chinese food”
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real Group

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real GroupSong Writing

The leader of the Modern A Cappella movement talks about the genre.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.