BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1983
“China Girl” is a song co-written by David Bowie and Iggy Pop during their years in Berlin, first appearing on Pop’s album The Idiot . The song became more widely known when it was rerecorded by Bowie and released on his album Let’s Dance (1983) and as a single.
Paul Trynka, the author of David Bowie’s biography, Starman, claims the song was inspired by Iggy Pop’s infatuation with Kuelan Nguyen, a beautiful Vietnamese woman.
The UK single release of Bowie’s remake reached #2 for one week on 14 June 1983, behind “Every Breath You Take” by The Police, while the US release reached #10. david Bowie’s version features guitar by Nile Rodgers and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
The long version of “Shake It Up” is exclusive to vinyl.
SIDE A:
China Girl (Long Version) 5:32
Written-By – D. Bowie*, I. Pop*
SIDE B:
Shake It (Long Version) 5:21
Written-By – David Bowie
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | China Girl | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #10 |
| 1983 | China Girl | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #51 |
| 1983 | China Girl/Shake It | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #3 |
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI America – 7809
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: Pop Rock
CREDITS:
Producer – David Bowie, Nile Rodgers
NOTES:
From the LP “LET’S DANCE”
Find the 12″ on DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
This tune brings back some fond memories 🙂
Paul, I grabbed this cut a while ago but never bothered to thank you. I apologize for that.
ty
When it was released, the hot China Girl video was running 100 times a day on TV!
I also discovered Bowie thru the 80s stuff, and only then discovered all the interesting music he did in the 60s & 70s. I couldn’t believe that’s the same man! Of course it wasn’t
it was so many of him. Weeks before his stadium gig in my hometown, the radio stations were spinning his music all day. He opened the sold out stadium concert with Space Oddity,
of course…
Love your work Paul. Terrific stuff!
Any chance of “Loving The Alien” and “This is Not America” coming soon – two of my favs the great man.
Thanks
Thank you, Paul
I’ve only had a scratched up version; this sounds beautiful! So many publicized memorials about Bowie seem to be about his groundbreaking image and changing personas, but to me, it’s his music that is the real genius and art. Thank you for preserving it in its finest form.
Mike
You’re welcome Mike 🙂
Great memories.
Indeed CL great memories 🙂
One of my favourite David Bowie singles from this era.
Thanks Paul 🙂
You’re welcome Junior 🙂
I have to say, great pop single though this is, I love and prefer the rawness of Iggy Pop’s earlier version, which I only ‘discovered’ about 3 years ago. In fact, it was one of the first songs I played when I got to work on Monday, to get me through the day. Him, but not Him. I still can’t bring myself to listen to any actual Bowie yet, it’s too much. I’ve got every great line of so many songs running through my head in constant loops, I can hear his voice clear as a bell. As a distraction… Read more »
I am with you Jermajesty and fully understand. I found myself crying like a baby yesterday while working on “Let’s Dance”. Take your time mate 🙂
Oh Paul, through your dignified and exquisite rips, I’m so enjoying your tribute to Mr. Bowie. Thanks for your wonderful commitment to a well loved and respected artist.
Grateful!
Jeff
Thank you Jeff. Hugas and smiles 🙂
Awesome. Not heard this in a while can’t wait to play. Many thanks!
You’re welcome Neil 🙂
Also you can hear the girl from the video talk about the experience with him in the video as she just did a quick small radio interview about this …
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/entertainment/david-bowies-china-girl-remembers-remarkable-man-who-changed-her-life.html
Thanks Keeganskylar enjoyed that 🙂
I preferred China Girl over Let’s Dance. It’s one of his best singles. Thanks Paul.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂