The Meaning Behind The Song: China Girl by David Bowie
Written by David Bowie and Iggy Pop, “China Girl” is one of Bowie’s most controversial songs. Released in 1983 as a single from his album “Let’s Dance,” the song was a commercial success, reaching the top ten in several countries. However, its lyrics and accompanying video have attracted criticism and controversy for their portrayal of women and Asian culture.
The Lyrics
The lyrics of “China Girl” describe the singer’s obsession with a stereotypical image of a Chinese woman. The song starts with the lines:
“Oh-oh-oh-oh, little China girl
Oh-oh-oh-oh, little China girl”
The repeated use of “little” reduces the woman to a child-like figure, reinforcing the stereotype of Asian women as submissive and vulnerable. The lyrics continue:
“I could pretend that nothing really meant too much
When I looked into your eyes
And I swore I saw you smiling”
Here, the lyrics suggest that the woman is unable to communicate properly because of a language barrier. This reinforces the stereotype that Asian women are exotic and mysterious, unable to fully express themselves in English.
The chorus of the song, “I’ll give you television, I’ll give you eyes of blue, I’ll give you men’s who want to rule the world,” further perpetuates this idea. The lyrics suggest that all the woman wants is material possessions and a white Western man to protect and provide for her.
The Video
The music video for “China Girl” accompanies the lyrics with a visual representation of Asian women as submissive and sexually available to Western men. In the video, Bowie and his co-star, a Japanese model named Geeling Ng, are depicted in several stereotypical scenes.
At one point, Bowie smears make-up on Ng’s face, reducing her to a passive object of his desire. The video ends with a scene of Bowie and Ng in the shower together, reinforcing the stereotype of Asian women as exotic and sexually available.
The Controversy
“China Girl” has attracted criticism for its stereotypical portrayal of Asian women and its sexually suggestive lyrics and video. In a 2011 interview with NME, Bowie acknowledged that the song and video were “very offensive” and that he regretted making them. He stated:
“I’m sorry I did that. I didn’t mean to offend anybody. It was an artistic statement. It’s not something that would happen now. I wouldn’t dream of writing something like that.”
Despite Bowie’s apology, the controversy has persisted. In 2018, the Chinese government banned the song and erased all references to it from the internet. The ban came in response to a list of songs containing “illegal content” that had been circulated by the government’s Ministry of Culture.
The Legacy of “China Girl”
Despite its controversy, “China Girl” remains a popular and influential song. It has been covered by several artists, including Iggy Pop and James Osterberg, and was included in the soundtrack of the movie “Inglourious Basterds.”
The song’s legacy, however, is complicated by its problematic lyrics and video. It serves as a reminder of the need for cultural sensitivity and the dangers of perpetuating harmful stereotypes through art.
Conclusion
“China Girl” by David Bowie is a controversial song that perpetuates harmful stereotypes of Asian women. Its lyrics and accompanying video have attracted criticism and controversy for many years. Although Bowie recognized the offensiveness of the song and expressed regret, its legacy remains a complicated one that reflects the need for cultural sensitivity and the dangers of perpetuating harmful stereotypes through art.
