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.
Fall In Love With Me
Japan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Searching for Siberia
Pioneering underground
We looked a lot like you
Now work is done, the table set
Deliver insufficient sound
Oh my, fall in love with me
Cross military lines
Nobody would believe us now
The weather working with us
We looked a lot like you
Now every boy's a refugee
Living for the moment
Through the shrieking wails
Trans-European overseas
Silently leaving Amsterdam
We looked a lot like you
Shy away from standard life
Each bitter moment lingers on
The song "Fall In Love With Me" by Japan has a mysterious and enigmatic feel to it that can be interpreted in many ways. The lyrics seem to describe the experiences of a group of people who have gone through an adventurous journey of traveling to various places, from Texas to Siberia, pioneering underground and crossing military lines. They believe that they look a lot like the common people, but they have experienced things that the majority could never fathom. Whatever they do, they find themselves feeling bored and dissatisfied, and seek for someone to fall in love with them.
The song's first two lines, "A summerhouse in Texas, searching for Siberia" can be seen as a metaphor for a search of something unknown, something that feels exotic or far away from the usual experiences. It could also refer to the idea of wanting to escape the mundane, which is reflected in the line "shy away from standard life, each bitter moment lingers on." The idea of pioneering underground might refer to the feeling of being misunderstood or going against the societal norms, as if they are being subversive.
The chorus of the song is where the tone shifts to a plea or a dare to fall in love with the members of the group. The song begs the question of whether or not people truly understand one another, and if the experiences that the group has gone through make them unique or just like anyone else. Overall, the lyrics portray themes of adventure, restlessness, and the desire to be seen and loved for who they are.
Line by Line Meaning
A summerhouse in Texas
We were in a place that was hot and desolate, reminiscent of a vacation home in Texas.
Searching for Siberia
We were seeking a place that was cold and far away, much like Siberia.
Pioneering underground
We were exploring and discovering new things that were not yet mainstream.
We looked a lot like you
We appeared to be similar to everyone else, blending in with the crowd.
Now work is done, the table set
We have completed our tasks and the preparations have been made for what comes next.
Deliver insufficient sound
Despite our efforts, the outcome was not satisfactory and failed to meet expectations.
Oh my, fall in love with me
Expressing a desire to be admired and cherished by someone.
Cross military lines
Taking a risk and venturing into unfamiliar territory, even if it means crossing boundaries.
Nobody would believe us now
Our actions and experiences are so extraordinary that no one would believe them if we were to share them.
The weather working with us
Our environment was cooperating with us and making things easier to accomplish.
Now every boy's a refugee
It seems as if every young man is lost or searching for something, like a refugee.
Living for the moment
We were focused solely on the present and enjoying what life had to offer in that moment.
Through the shrieking wails
Despite the loud and unpleasant noises in our environment, we persevered.
Trans-European overseas
Traveling across Europe to a faraway place overseas.
Silently leaving Amsterdam
Departing from a place known for its lively and bustling atmosphere in a calm and peaceful manner.
Shy away from standard life
Avoiding a life that is typical and mundane, and instead pursuing something more unique or exciting.
Each bitter moment lingers on
The unpleasant experiences we have had seem to stay with us for longer than we would like.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID BOWIE, IGGY POP, HUNT SALES, TONY SALES
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.