Japan, which also included Mick Karn, Rob Dean, Richard Barbieri and Sylvian's brother Steve Jansen, started out as a confusing hybrid rock/sleaze outfit in the mould of David Bowie and The New York Dolls. Their music quickly evolved as, at least to begin with, they drew heavily on the influence of Roxy Music's art rock stylings. Their visual image developed in parallel and the band were (unwillingly) tagged as forerunners of the New Romantic movement.
Japan recorded five studio albums between March 1978 and November 1981. Their biggest hit single, the minimalist Ghosts, which reached the Top 5 in the UK charts in 1982, was a clear pointer to Sylvian's future direction. After a successful tour, the band split in late 1982, and Sylvian embarked upon a solo career.
Around the time of Sylvian's first solo album he collaborated with 坂本龍一 (Ryuichi Sakamoto) on the soundtrack music for the Nagisa Oshima film Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), which produced a Top 20 hit single, Forbidden Colours.
Sylvian's debut solo album, the jazz and ambient-influenced Brilliant Trees (1984), met with critical acclaim and yielded the single Red Guitar, another Top 20 hit. Guest artists included Jon Hassell and Holger Czukay. His follow-up was an instrumental EP Alchemy which cemented his drift away from commercial pop
The EP was in turn followed by the double album Gone to Earth (1986), which flouted convention (and perhaps commercial wisdom) by featuring one record of songs (predominantly atmospheric ballads) and one consisting almost entirely of ambient instrumental tracks. Guest artists included guitarists Robert Fripp and Bill Nelson.
His third album, Secrets of the Beehive (1987), was more acoustic and oriented towards somber, emotive ballads laced with string arrangements by 坂本龍一 (Ryuichi Sakamoto). It yielded one of Sylvian's most well-received songs, Orpheus, and was supported by his first solo tour, 1988's "In Praise of Shamans". Sylvian's touring band included ex-Japan bandmates Jansen and Barbieri along with trumpeter Mark Isham, bassist Ian Maidman and guitarists David Torn and Robbie Aceto.
Never one to conform to commercial expectations, Sylvian then collaborated on several ambient music projects with artists including Holger Czukay and Russell Mills.
In 1991, a highly-anticipated Japan reunion (excluding Rob Dean) ended in acrimony. Sylvian insisted on calling the project and the album Rain Tree Crow, to the dismay of both his label Virgin Records (who were hoping for a hit "comeback" album) and his former bandmates. Guitarists Bill Nelson, Phil Palmer and Michael Brook augmented the quartet for the recording of the album.
In late 1991, Robert Fripp approached Sylvian and asked him to be part of a new King Crimson. Sylvian declined and instead suggested they work on a future collaboration resulting in the release of The First Day.
A period of relative musical inactivity followed, during which time Sylvian moved to the United States. Eventually in 1999, Sylvian released Dead Bees on a Cake. It showed the most eclectic influence of all his recordings, ranging from soul music to jazz fusion to Eastern spiritual chants, and most of the songs' lyrics reflecting Sylvian's inner peace with his marriage (to the wonderful poet/singer Ingrid Chavez), family and beliefs. Guest artists included longtime friend 坂本龍一 (Ryuichi Sakamoto), as well as Talvin Singh, Marc Ribot, Kenny Wheeler and Bill Frisell.
Sylvian parted ways with Virgin and launched his own independent label, Samadhi Sound. Sylvian experimented alone with treated sounds made from his guitar and computer. The results were recorded during February of 2003. A few months later, he released the album Blemish. The disc was stark in its sound and content. The lyrical subject matter dealt primarily with the impending dissolution of Sylvian's marriage. In 2005 The Good Son vs The Only Daughter was released, which was comprised of remixes of tracks from Blemish.
With the conclusion of "A Fire In The Forest Tour" in 2004, work resumed on a joint project between Sylvian and Jansen. Yet the course of the album took on a completely new tone after Sylvian decided to add keyboardist/vibraphonist/programmer Burnt Friedman to the proceedings and make him an equal partner in the collaboration. The band name of Nine Horses was adopted and the CD, titled Snow Borne Sorrow, was released in October of 2005. The sound was a return to more traditional avenues for Sylvian after the radical departure he took with Blemish. Elements of avant-garde jazz, pop, folk and electronic music were all blended together
Nine Horses' Money For All EP was released in 2006, which included new material as well as Burnt Friedman remixes of songs selected from their first disc.
News on Sylvian's website was released in March stating that "We're preparing for the release of David’s new album Manafon. It’s a powerfully bold, uncompromising work featuring contributions from Evan Parker, John Tilbury, Keith Rowe, Christian Fennesz, Otomo Yoshihide, and many more."
David Sylvian's official website: www.davidsylvian.com
20th Century Dreaming
David Sylvian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Start of another day
Sleeping through the epilogue
Waking to the sound of rain
Driven to the crossroads
Where value's meaningless
What did you do to my faith
Social, economical, spiritual
I'm moving to the house of love
Take my fire
Take my food and water
Forget about those promises
Of social good and social order
Lassoed by the cowboys
Tied down and it shows
I'm roping in those bad dreams
And selling off my working clothes
Social, economical, spiritual
I'm moving to the house of love
Gonna take a course of action
To restore my sight
'Til the heart of motivation
Is filled with a golden light
They're hiding in the treetops
Tugging at my coat
Power lines are falling down
And burning in the undergrowth
Social, economical, spiritual
I'm moving to the house of love
As the river runs, tumbles and turns
You know you shouldn't stay
Play the game again
It could be different this time
You may win
Dreaming, dreaming
Dreaming, dreaming
Lying down
Dreaming, dreaming
Dreaming, dreaming
Lying down
I'm moving to the house of love
Moving to the house of love
I'm moving to the house of love
Moving, I'm moving, I'm moving
I'm moving, I'm moving, I'm moving
I'm moving to the house of love
[Incomprehensible]
[Incomprehensible]
Dreaming, dreaming
The song "20th Century Dreaming" by David Sylvian and Robert Fripp is a contemplative reflection on the struggles and turmoils of modern society. The opening lines paint a picture of a cold, rainy morning, symbolizing the dreary state of the world. The lyrics go on to describe the crisis of faith many feel, as they are confronted with the stark realities of a world where values seem meaningless and promises of social good and order are broken.
The chorus suggests a possible solution to this crisis, with the singer declaring his intention to move to the "house of love" - a metaphorical space of spiritual and emotional fulfillment. The verses develop this theme, with the singer describing his journey towards this house of love, making sacrifices (giving up his fire, food, and water) and letting go of the past (selling off his working clothes). The final verse suggests a renewed sense of hope and determination, with the singer seeking to restore his sight and motivation and urging others to do the same.
The song's dream-like quality is heightened by the repetition of the word "dreaming" at the end of each verse, and the melodic and atmospheric qualities of the music contribute to this impression as well.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold morning
The beginning of a new day, with a sense of chill and quiet around
Start of another day
A renewal of life's journey, with another day passing by
Sleeping through the epilogue
Ignoring the aftermath of events or the consequences of one's action
Waking to the sound of rain
A fresh start filled with new challenges to face
Driven to the crossroads
Forced into making a difficult decision or situation
Where value's meaningless
A place where nothing holds any worth or significance
What did you do to my faith
Feeling disillusioned and betrayed by someone or something that was once trusted
In justice, hope and happiness
Disappointed by a lack of fairness, optimism or contentment
Social, economical, spiritual
Three fundamental aspects that affect the human experience
I'm moving to the house of love
A decision to prioritize love and positivity in one's life
Take my fire
Giving up one's passion and motivation in life
Take my food and water
Sacrificing basic necessities in life for a cause
Forget about those promises
Disregarding commitments made by others
Of social good and social order
Expectations of the government and society to maintain stability and well-being
Lassoed by the cowboys
Trapped and helpless, like a wild animal caught by ranchers
Tied down and it shows
Imprisoned and burdened, leaving marks on one's physical and mental state
I'm roping in those bad dreams
Taking control of one's fears and insecurities
And selling off my working clothes
Letting go of one's past and moving forward to new beginnings
Gonna take a course of action
Making a decision to act on one's dreams and goals
To restore my sight
Regaining clarity to one's purpose and direction in life
Til the heart of motivation
Until the core of one's drive and ambition
Is filled with a golden light
Becomes illuminated with inspiration and positivity
They're hiding in the treetops
Troubling thoughts or obstacles that lurk in the background of one's life
Tugging at my coat
Pulling at one's attention and focus, demanding immediate action
Power lines are falling down
A signal or warning that things are coming to an end or changing drastically
And burning in the undergrowth
A sense of destruction and disarray, trying to overcome adversity
As the river runs, tumbles and turns
Life with its ups and downs, twists and turns
You know you shouldn't stay
Awareness that things are not going well and immediate change is necessary
Play the game again
Taking another chance and engaging in life
It could be different this time
Hope of a positive outcome and a new path forward
You may win
A confidence that can arise when facing challenges with determination and optimism
Dreaming, dreaming
Perspectives on the future or idealistic visions of life
Lying down
Perhaps waiting for the right moment or preparing for a new beginning
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID SYLVIAN, ROBERT FRIPP, TREY GUNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind