I was watching Without a Trace the other night with my wife and during the show a great version of China Girl from David Bowie came on.
It was a interpretation that we both had never heard of before. Wanting to now more about this adaptation of the original song, my wife found out that it was perfectly executed by a Swedish singer named Anna Ternheim.
It was of an unplugged nature. The song was soft, slow and very dream like. Anna Ternheim used only this haunting bass, beat box in the backdrop of her rendition of this great work. Her voice is very airy and to some her voice comes across as sounding like either Alanis Morissette. We both came to this conclusion, a couple of seconds into the piece.
I know nothing of this artist except for a insightful interview into who and what she is all about musically. Her band’s site and Myspace account does not dive to much into what makes her tick but, I’m sure I’ll find out more about her in the future.
Has anyone else out there heard of this women before? What is your take on her exclusive style of performing?
Keep on Jammin’
Very beautiful in its simplicity.
We can’t have people just wandering into town like sacred cows and all that, especially not when they have swastikas and plans.
Perhaps we owe more to China than we realise.
David Bowie certainly does.
An interesting thing about this song is that it doesn’t follow any conventional songwriting style, like verse, chorus etc and yet it’s instantly memorable.
Nice comment Play electric guitar man!
Simplicity is such an underrated approach. I myself, never payed to much attention to this when playing in my early years.
As for China, the culture that is, we have tons to thank them for!
Your comment was really appreciated!
Thanks for this info. I just watched the episode of “Without a Trace” and just had to find the song. Very nice. I originally thought it to be Bjork.
style is similar to french band called Nouvelle Vague who did a cover of heart of glass by blondie – great band
This is Anna Ternheim, a very popular swedish singer-song writer. She is pretty big in Europe, but mostly in Sweden where she tours alot. She writes mostly her own stuff, but occasionally does amazing covers like these. Also check out her version of “Fly me to the moon“, it’s amazingly beautiful!
Her style is indeed simplistic and naked but when she grasps that guitar it’s like magic and you’re spellbound.
I highly recommend all of her albums.
Thanx for the comment Rachelle! I just LOVE Fly me to the moon so I’ll have to check that one out!
I see what you mean about Nouvelle Vague Rene. I just checked out some of their tunes and not bad at all!
Just to clarify. This “China Girl” song was written by Iggy Pop…. his version is very raw… Bowie covered and refined the song. However, Anna Ternheim does a very good version and I realy enjoyed it.. I’m so glad I found your post about Anna Ternheim covering this song. Just as other post stated “Simplicity” ….very good…. another Simplicity cover song that is very good is by the band called “My Morning Jacket”…covering Elton John’s “Rocketman” FYI: John Mellencamp” also has a song called “China Girl…also a very good song… I would like to hear the “12 Girls Band” do a version of “China Girl” NOW THAT WOULD BE GOOD
Bill, you are correct sir!
I have to check out some of the other artists that you brought up in your comment and I’ll have to get back to you on what I think about them.
Thanx man!