Like a Knife: Ideology and Genre in Contemporary Chinese Popular Music

by Andrew F. Jones

The first comprehensive study of Chinese popular music in a Western language. Drawing on extensive interviews with singers, songwriters and critics, as well as cultural, sociological, musical, and textual analysis, the book portrays the disparate ways in which China's state-run popular music industry and burgeoning underground rock music subculture represented by Cui Jian have been instrumental to the cultural and political struggles that culminated in the Tienanmen democracy movement of 1989. It also examines the links between popular music and contemporary debates about cultural identity and modernization, as well as the close connections between rock music, youth culture, and student protest.

Genres: China

192 pages, Paperback

Published March 31, 2010

Reviews

[David Frazier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andrew Jones, who teaches at UC Berkeley, is the best Western academic writer on modern Chinese music, so if that's your thing, his books are a must read. This one, published in 1990, essentially argues that Chinese rock music, and the music Cui Jian in particular, is rebellious and even holds revolutionary potential, though this rebellion is not directed at politics per se (and certainly not openly!) Jones places a lot of importance on the context of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and subsequent crackdown, though these events were perhaps not a crucial determinant for all Chinese rock bands and their music. At the same time, half the book is given over to a discussion of pop singers in the official system, who at this point were still attached to work units. This part is fairly interesting. Rock naturally offers a sharp contrast to communist pop. Though this was certainly the case in 1990, it is not a great lens for understanding China now. Also, the book mainly (and exhaustively) discusses Cui Jian, but there were actually quite a few other important rock bands and singers at the time whose stories are neglected. Though Jones' writing feels comprehensive, the scope of analysis is a bit too limited to give a full picture of rock music in China in the late 1980s. Still, lots and lots of great info and ideas in here, and his succinct delivery really packs a punch.

[cynthia lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

oops i haven't read in a very long time as things have been v busy but i am beginning my redemption arc. btw incredible survey of chinese music v enjoyable

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of China's rock scene in the 80's early 90's. A little outdated, but still very informative and a must read for anyone interested in China's music scene