European Son
Japan Lyrics

The song "European Son" by Japan, which appears on their 1980 album "Gentlemen Take Polaroids," is a haunting, introspective exploration of identity and belonging. The opening lines, "Scurrying across the boardwalk / Some places I tend to forget / The air clings deep in my throat / It's so cold in this luncheonette," paint a picture of a disoriented and disconnected individual, struggling to find their place in the world around them. The use of sensory details like the cold and the air in the throat add a visceral quality to the lyrics, making it feel more like a personal reflection than a simple narrative.

As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is searching for connection and understanding. The lines "Somebody wants to know you / An ordinary boy / Somebody wants to know you / A standard polaroid" suggest that the singer is yearning for recognition and validation, but feels trapped by the expectations placed upon them. The chorus, which repeats the lines "Here I am / European son / Sometimes the passenger / European son / Here I am," hints at a feeling of transience and impermanence, as if the singer is constantly searching for a place to belong.

The final lines of the song, "Suffragettes in Washington / Disposable serviettes / Searching for the quiet life / There's no love in this luncheonette," bring the narrative full circle, returning to the sense of alienation and disconnection established at the beginning. The reference to suffragettes and disposable serviettes add a historical and cultural dimension to the lyrics, hinting at broader themes of social justice and consumerism. Overall, "European Son" is a deeply introspective and evocative song that captures the feeling of being adrift in a world that doesn't quite fit.