In this song, the singer warns the China Girl that he will destroy her culture by imparting Western values of materialism and superficial beauty ("I'll give you television, I'll give you eyes of blue, I'll give you a man who wants to rule the world").
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. She was staying at the studio and Bowie encouraged the couple's relationship. It has also be argued that the song is about heroin addiction, as "China White" is slang for the drug.
Iggy Pop wrote this with Bowie. It first appeared on Iggy's 1977 album The Idiot. The song did not see commercial success until later performed by Bowie.
Lyrics
Little China girl
Little China girl
I could escape this feeling with my China girl
I feel a wreck without my little China girl
I hear her heart beating loud as thunder
Saw the stars crashing
I'm a mess without my little China girl
Wake up in the morning, where's my little China girl
I hear her heart's beating loud as thunder
I saw the stars crashing down
I feel tragic like I'm Marlon Brando
When I look at my China girl
I could pretend nothing really meant too much
When I look at my China girl
I stumble into town
Just like a sacred cow
Visions of swastikas in my head
Plans for everyone
It's in the white of my eyes
My little China girl
You shouldn't mess with me
I'll ruin everything you are
You know it
I'll give you television
I'll give you eyes of blue
I'll give you a man who wants to rule the world
And when I get excited
My little China girl says,
"Oh baby just you shut your mouth."
She says, "Sh."
She says, "Sh."
She says
She says
And when I get excited
My little China girl says,
"Oh baby just you shut your mouth."
And when I get excited
My little China girl says,
"Oh baby just you shut your mouth."
She says, "Sh."
She says
Little China girl
Little China girl
Little China girl
Little China girl
Little China girl