British art rock band Japan was formed in 1974 in Lewisham, South London, E… Read Full Bio ↴British art rock band Japan was formed in 1974 in Lewisham, South London, England with original members David Sylvian (vocals, guitar), Mick Karn (bass guitar, saxophone), Richard Barbieri (keyboards), Rob Dean (guitar), and Steve Jansen (percussion). Dean left the band in 1981, before the recording of Japan's final album, Tin Drum.

Japan began playing glam rock, influenced by David Bowie, The New York Dolls and Motown. Japan debuted on record with 1978's Adolescent Sex and subsequently Obscure Alternatives, which both sold well in the nation of Japan, though nowhere else.

Their third album, 1979's Quiet Life, heralded a change in musical style from the earlier largely guitar based music to a more electronic sound, with more emphasis on Barbieri's synthesisers, Sylvian's svelte baritone style of singing, Karn's distinctive fretless bass sound, and Steve Jansen's odd-timbred percussion work.

Their following two albums, Gentlemen Take Polaroids (1980) and Tin Drum (1981) continued to expand their audience as the band refined its new sound and unintentionally became part of the early 1980s New Romantic movement. But Tin Drum would end up being their final album, as personality conflicts drove the band apart. Nevertheless, the album's unconventional single "Ghosts" reached #5 on the UK pop charts, followed by a re-release of "I Second That Emotion" that reached #9.

The band officially split up after a farewell tour in late 1982. The tour was posthumously released as an LP, "Oil on Canvas", in mid-1983.

Most of the original members of the band went on to work on other projects.
Mick Karn and Bauhaus frontman Peter Murphy formed the one-album project called Dali's Car and released the album The Waking Hour in 1984. He has released other solo works over the years.
Steve Jansen and Richard Barbieri released an album in 1987 under the moniker The Dolphin Brothers which garnered a little interest.

By far the most successful is David Sylvian, who has recorded several albums with noted performers. An attempted reunion in 1991 with the Rain Tree Crow project was short lived, producing only one album.

All members have collaborated on the other's solo work; notably the trio JKB (aka Jansen, Barbieri and Karn) have released several records. Jansen has continued to tour with his brother David Sylvian.

Karn died of cancer January 4, 2011.

All Tomorrow's Parties
Japan Lyrics

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And what costume shall the poor girl wear
To all tomorrows parties?
A hand-me-down dress from who knows where
To all tomorrows parties?

Where will she go, what shall she do
When midnight comes around?
She'll turn once more to Sunday's clown

And cry behind the door

And what costume shall the poor girl wear
To all tomorrows parties?
Why silken trimmings of yesterday's gown
To all tomorrows parties?

What shall she do with Thursday's rags
When Monday comes around?
She'll turn once more to Sunday's clown
And cry behind the door

And what costume shall the poor girl wear
To all tomorrows parties?
For Thursday's child is Sunday's clown
For whom none will go mourning

A blackened shroud, a hand-me-down gown
Of rags and silks, a costume

Fit for one who sits and cries
For all tomorrows parties

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Japan's song "All Tomorrow's Parties" describe a girl who is constantly struggling to fit in with the upper echelons of society. She wears hand-me-down dresses and silken trimmings from yesterday's gowns to parties that she attends on a regular basis, but always feels out of place. The song hints at a sense of loneliness and disconnection as she turns to crying behind closed doors whenever she fails to fit in.

The girl's sense of being a social outcast is further highlighted in the lyrics, which bring up Thursday's rags and Monday's clothes. The song suggests that she has to constantly struggle to keep up with the ever changing fashions and expectations of society. However, she always returns to Sunday's clown, who seems to represent the only source of comfort and stability in her life.

Ultimately, the lyrics of "All Tomorrow's Parties" provide a glimpse into the struggles of someone who is struggling to find a sense of belonging in a world where social status and appearances matter. The girl's sense of isolation and loneliness is palpable, as she continues to try and fit in through the clothes she wears, but always fails to find her place.

Line by Line Meaning

And what costume shall the poor girl wear
What attire should the impoverished girl wear