“China Girl” is a song by David Bowie, released in May 1983 with “Shake It” on the B-side as the second single from his album Let’s Dance. The song was originally written by Bowie and Iggy Pop, and first appeared on Iggy Pop’s 1977 album The Idiot (scroll down for audio). Bowie re-recorded it for Let’s Dance, giving it a polished, radio-friendly sound with a mix of new wave, pop, and rock influences, produced by Nile Rodgers.
“China Girl” explores themes of obsession, cultural exoticism, and power dynamics in relationships. While it can be interpreted as a love song, it also carries an underlying commentary on Western perceptions of Asian culture. Bowie himself later described it as a critique of Western imperialism and cultural appropriation.
The music video, directed by David Mallet, featured Bowie and New Zealand model Geeling Ng in a cinematic love story set in an Asian backdrop in the Chinatown district of Sydney, Australia, simultaneously with the video for “Let’s Dance”
“China Girl” became one of Bowie’s biggest hits, reaching No. 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. It remains one of his most recognizable songs from the 1980s, blending a smooth yet haunting melody with poignant lyrical depth.