WXRT pens “Christmas China Girl”

Because David Bowie wouldn’t do it

Chicago’s WXRT-FM/93.1 can’t get enough of the China Girl.

The song was released by David Bowie on his 1983 smash hit album “Let’s Dance” and reached No. 2 on the U.K. singles chart and No. 10 on Billboard.

Since then it’s become the most widely played song on “Chicago’s Finest Rock,” sometimes airing three times per hour.

During the last few years, however, ‘XRT has encountered a problem – during its seasonal “Holiday Nights” in which the station plays all Yule tunes every night of the 12 days leading up to Christmas –  hours worth of music were devoid of “China Girl.”

The station tried to convince Bowie to pen a holiday version of the song, but his reply was “no.”

So this year, led by morning DJ Lin Brehmer, staffers at the classic rock station have decided to write and record their own version, “Christmas China Girl.”

“We just thought it was necessary,” Brehmer said. “The last few years during those 12 nights – we just felt something was missing. Then it hit us – where was the China Girl?”

Lyrics from ‘XRT’s holiday version of “China Girl”

I feel warm inside, like a Heat Miser/when I look at my Christmas China Girl
I stumble in town just like sacred elf/visions of snowflakes in my head
My little Christmas China Girl
And when I get my presents/my little Christmas China Girl says
Oh Santa just you put these cookies in your mouth

Musicians on the record include former Smashing Pumpkins bassist D’arcy and Chicago Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper.

The song made its debut Friday and will receive regular play not only during “Holiday Nights” but every day.

And there’s even more good news. This year marks the first time during “Holiday Nights” that ‘XRT is mixing in its regular, all-too-familiar classic songs with the Christmas tunes.

“So now you can still hear the regular version of ‘China Girl’ alongside ‘Christmas China Girl,’ ” Brehmer said.

‘XRT’s next project? Coming up with a holiday version of INXS’ “Devil Inside.”