New Featured Unknown/Underrated Song of the Rock Era: "China Grove" by the Doobie Brothers

Did this one honestly only make it to #15?  Yep, a lot of shortsighted Music Directors overseeing the music on their radio stations back then.

 

China Grove

by the Doobie Brothers

Words and Music by Tom Johnston

When the sun comes up on a sleepy little town
Down around San Antone
And the folks are risin' for another day
'Round about their homes
The people of the town are strange
And they're proud of where they came
Well, you're talkin' 'bout China Grove
Oh, China Grove

Well, the preacher and the teacher
Lord, they're a caution
They are the talk of the town
When the gossip gets to flyin'
And they ain't lyin'
When the sun goes fallin' down

They say that the father's insane
And dear Missus Perkin's a game
We're talkin' 'bout the China Grove
Oh, China Grove

But every day there's a new thing comin'
The ways of an oriental view
The sheriff and his buddies
With their samurai swords
You can even hear the music at night

And though it's a part of the Lone Star State
People don't seem to care
They just keep on lookin' to the East

Talkin' 'bout the China Grove
Oh, China Grove