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.
Burning Bridges
Japan Lyrics
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The work is done
We pull away from rivers
The light of a distant fire burns again
The opening lines of Japan's song Burning Bridges suggest a sense of relief or closure as the singer reflects on lives and projects left behind. The work is done, and now it’s time to leave it all behind. Metaphorically, the 'rivers' can represent the challenges and obstacles faced in the past. The ‘light of a distant fire’ burning again can represent a renewed sense of hope and a new beginning. The imagery is potent with a strong sense of melancholy.
The chorus of the song further emphasises the idea of letting go and moving on. The lyrics, "Burning bridges, tearing down the memory of you and me, burning bridges gonna make them see that nothing is lost and everything's free," suggest that it’s okay to let go of the past as it can be liberating. It also acknowledges that moving on may not be easy, but it’s necessary for growth and change. The song conveys the message of resilience, moving on, and starting anew, even if it seems terrifying.
Line by Line Meaning
It's all behind me now
I'm moving on from my past troubles and leaving them behind.
The work is done
I've completed the task at hand and can now move on to the next challenge.
We pull away from rivers
We are leaving behind the things that once sustained us and seeking new opportunities.
The light of a distant fire burns again
There is hope for a new beginning and a brighter future on the horizon.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DAVID SYLVIAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephen Tremm
on . . . . Rhodesia
Nazis in full attack etc. - maybe army radio communications or tv news report.
Stephen Tremm
on . . . . Rhodesia
Saluting supermarket majorettes, we understand - maybe a joke or pun on a supermarket chain called Majorette, or a big display of model cars made by the company Majorette (a real company) in a supermarket.
Bleach your body - what a black person would need to do to get equality.
Nazis in full attack etc. - Maybe army radio communications or a tv news report.