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.
In Vogue
Japan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reveals itself
I am assured she won't forget
But still I will console myself
Should I lose something I could regret?
But now she turns to leave
Exactly like she used to do
Love's in vogue again my love
Did nobody tell you girl?
Love's in vogue again my love
Before the light of day
I awake
She's clearly not herself today
Across a crowded room life begins
Before the moment drifts away
How bitter the morning feels
Exactly like it ought to do
The lyrics of the song "In Vogue" by Japan appears to be about lost love which has been regained. The singer seems to be contemplating whether or not he should let his guard down and allow himself to feel the love again. He is not entirely sure if the relationship will last or not, and is hesitant to start anew. He seems to reminisce about how things used to be with his lost love, but is unsure if history will repeat itself. He hopes that this time they will not forget the love they once had.
The singer requests if anyone has warned him, oblivious that love is in fashion again, and the girl feels the same way. It's not clear if the two people have been separated for a long time or if they have recently had an argument, but the lyrics imply that they have reunited. The singer seems to have a feeling of insecurity about their relationship moving forward.
The song is poetic in nature, and the lyrics seem to ebb and flow with the melody. The tone of the song itself is melancholic and soft, leading us to imagine two people standing across the room from each other, longing for love. Overall, the song portrays a yearning for love in a beautifully crafted manner.
Line by Line Meaning
Before the light of day
Prior to the appearance of sunrise
Reveals itself
Becomes visible and apparent
I am assured she won't forget
I'm certain that she won't fail to remember
But still I will console myself
However, I'll comfort myself regardless
Should I lose something I could regret?
If something that could make me feel remorse were to escape me?
But now she turns to leave
Yet, now she faces departing
Exactly like she used to do
Precisely like she has in the past
Did nobody warn you boy?
Did nobody caution you boy?
Love's in vogue again my love
Romantic love is currently popular again, my dear
Did nobody tell you girl?
Did nobody inform you girl?
Love's in vogue again my love
Romantic love is currently fashionable once more, my dear
Before the light of day
Prior to the appearance of sunrise
I awake
I rise from sleep
She's clearly not herself today
It's quite evident that she's not her usual self today
Across a crowded room life begins
In a room filled with people, life (in the form of newfound love) starts
Before the moment drifts away
Before the opportunity disappears
How bitter the morning feels
What a sour feeling the morning brings
Exactly like it ought to do
Just like it should
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
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.