Carsick Cars is an indie rock band based in Beijing. And not that we endorse smoking, but if you're going to write a song about the ubiquitous cigarette you can't do worse than they did with this one about Zhongnanhai. Tip to the wise: the brand name comes from the top-level government compound down near Tiananmen Square.

This video was filmed at D22, a local club in the heart of the university district here in Beijing. The band plays there pretty regularly, so you have a good chance of catching a show if you're in town. And the lyrics are pretty accessible too. If you're having trouble making out the lines "I can't live without Zhongnanhai" and "I only smoke Zhongnanhai" then click through to read the full lyrics as part of our annotated transcript.
 said on
November 11, 2009
这首歌真酷!
 said on
November 12, 2009
Good video. I saw these guys live down here. It was definitely one of the better live acts I've seen. Hear they've opened for Sonic Youth too. Have to wonder what the Europeans thought.
 said on
November 12, 2009
Great band, more indie rock please!
 said on
November 13, 2009
@ orbital

Not that I saw them with Sonic Youth, but being a Europeeing (欧洲撒尿) that is well into punk music, from this video 他们是真的不错
 said on
November 13, 2009
我觉得这个乐队为“中南海”香烟做了一个最好的广告。“中南海”应该好好感谢感谢他们。。。。