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.
Life In Tokyo
Japan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've really nothing much to lose
It seems so sentimental
Why should I care?
Somewhere there's a sound of distant living
Welcome in high society
It seems so artificial
Oh ho ho
Life can be cruel
Life in Tokyo
Oh ho ho
Life can be cruel
Life in Tokyo
Another vehicle heads for sunset
No other providence will do
They're only buildings and houses
Why should I care
Oh ho ho
Life can be cruel
Life in Tokyo
Oh ho ho
Life can be cruel
Life in Tokyo
The song "Life in Tokyo" by Japan is a contemplation of urban life, conveying a sense of detachment and ambivalence towards one's surroundings. The lyrics describe the singer's inner turmoil, acknowledging the sentimental value of their environment while simultaneously questioning its artificiality. The repeated line, "Why should I care?" reflects a sense of resignation and apathy, suggesting that the singer feels disconnected from the world around them.
The opening lines, "There's always something left inside here, I've really nothing much to lose" allude to the singer's emotional state - they are holding on to something despite feeling empty inside. However, the following lines "It seems so sentimental, why should I care?" convey a sense of distrust and disillusionment about the world. The song juxtaposes the "sound of distant living" and "high society" with the singer's own experience, creating a tension between the external world and their internal emotional state. The final lines, "Another vehicle heads for sunset, they're only buildings and houses, why should I care" further emphasise the singer's detachment and lack of connection to the world around them.
Overall, the lyrics of "Life in Tokyo" convey a sense of dislocation and detachment from one's environment, expressing a feeling of restlessness and ambivalence towards urban life.
Line by Line Meaning
There's always something left inside here
Despite the emptiness I feel, there is still a part of me that remains hopeful and willing to continue on.
I've really nothing much to lose
There is little left for me to give or sacrifice, as life has already taken so much away from me.
It seems so sentimental
The world around me feels steeped in memories and emotion, but I am no longer sure if that is a good or bad thing.
Why should I care?
In the face of so much turmoil and heartache, what difference does it make if I care or not?
Somewhere there's a sound of distant living
I can hear the happy laughter and busy chatter of others living their lives, but it seems far away and out of reach for me.
Welcome in high society
Those with wealth and status are embraced and accepted, while those without are left to struggle.
It seems so artificial
Even amongst the glamour and luxury of high society, there is a manufactured, fake quality that undermines any real value to be found.
Oh ho ho
Life can be cruel
Life in Tokyo
Life, in all its twists and turns, can be unforgiving - especially in the fast-paced, materialistic world of Tokyo.
Another vehicle heads for sunset
Time marches on and others continue to move forward, leaving me feeling left behind or stuck in place.
No other providence will do
Despite my struggles, I remain committed to making a life for myself in Tokyo - for better or for worse.
They're only buildings and houses
In the grand scheme of things, the physical trappings of success and wealth mean very little - yet they continue to dominate society.
Why should I care
Even as I try to survive and thrive in this artificial world, it's hard to stay invested or committed when so much seems out of my control.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: DAVID SYLVIAN, GEORGIO MORODER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ralucagymnast
Sheer unadulterated brilliance; there arent enough superlatives to describe this incredible song.
R W
Agreed. I was 14 and this was a completely different sound.
Gavin Chandler
went to Tokyo in 1989 to see if it was cruel or kind- stayed 10 years, found the love of my my life...partly down to this band so thanks guys...
Ivone Pereira
Japan,just the TOP band of New Romantic style. We were all influenced by them. This is my favourite song from them. This song is pure perfection. Mick Karn,so iconic.
MrJampot64
You can tell Giorgio Moroder has put his stamp on this track. Even now this song would still sit well at a rave/club in the chilled section. Very hypnotic just like I feel love by Donna summer and Giorgio Moroder. These guys were the pioneers of the new romantic movement and up there with Gary Numan and the Human League with their use of electric synthesisers. Class act.
PAUL CULLIGAN
I bought their complete vinyl collection starting back in the early 80's. There was no home video back then and the term 'streaming' wouldn't be heard for another 30 years. What a joy to be watching them performing in a live setting, from the comfort of Youtube. Thanks Uploaders.
gordon Campbell
David Sylvian and Japan quite obviously way ahead of their time in this era .Absolutely Iconic so under appreciated band .
Alfie Whitnell
One of my most important bands of all time! Mick Karn, what a talent on that fretless...
stuart hirons
Very very underrated band - great pop, dance tunes
Nick Forbes-Warren
Years ahead of its time . . . and still brilliant now!!