Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Song #11

Title: "China Girl"
Artist: David Bowie
Album: Let's Dance, 1983
Written By: David Bowie and Iggy Pop

Lively discussion around here lately, that's great. Don't see why we shouldn't push forward. This first appeared on Iggy Pop's 1977 solo debut The Idiot, but I've always loved Bowie's slicker rendition. Imperialism never sounded so sexy, although some say the song is really about heroin. Contains what may be my favorite lyric in any rock song: "I'm feeling tragic like I'm Marlon Brando." So great. On top of all that, you've got greasy guitar lines from Stevie Ray Vaughan throughout. Alright Statler and Waldorf, fire away.

BELOW: Unfortunately, I could only find the single edit on YouTube, so you're missing about a minute from the album version (much of what was cut was Vaughan).

7 comments:

ANCIANT said...

No criticism from me, I too love China Girl. Chilling as hell, and yet still a love song.

Dezmond said...

I knew ANCIANT would like this choice. I also direct readers (JMW, Denny) to ANCIANT's endorsement of "Eminence Front" in the previous pick.

ANCIANT said...

Although I do think its being co-written by Iggy Pop makes it not a clear Bowie song choice. Didn't Iggy write most of the lyrics? Which are, let's admit, its greatest glory.

Dezmond said...

I don't know how the songwriting was broken down. I leave that to the Bowie experts.

JMW said...

This choice is also suspect. But then again, I am not a sometime musician.

Anonymous said...

I despise the first 20 seconds and the last 20 seconds. Otherwise, I think the song is solid, and the lyrics are intriguing. Definitely not a favorite, but not as offensive as some of your other choices.

Subliminal Gary said...

It's not bad. For a Bowie cover. But, lord, it's not good.