China Boy is a popular song of the 1920s, published in 1922. Phil Boutelje and Dick (Richard A.) Winfree are credited as its composers, and no lyricist is credited. It was introduced in vaudeville by Henry E. Murtagh and was popular with the dance bands of the era. The original recording was made by Arnold Johnson and His Orchestra in November 1922 and released as a single in 1923. The song became a jazz standard and was popularized by Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra's 1929 Columbia recording, which featured Bix Beiderbecke. It has since been recorded by Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey, Sidney Bechet, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Isham Jones, Red Nichols, Charlie Parker, Oscar Peterson, Django Reinhardt and Fats Waller. The song appeared in films including Hold That Kiss (1938), Strike Up the Band (1940), The Benny Goodman Story (1956) and The Last Emperor (1987). Vocal versions exist, but most versions are instrumental. The sheet music is in F.
