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.
Nightporter
Japan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It just lingers on
The fear in my heart that keeps telling me
Which way to turn
We'll wander again
Our clothes they are wet
We shy from the rain
The width of a room that can hold so much pleasure inside
Here am I alone again
A quiet town where life gives in
Here am I just wondering
Nightporters go
Nightporters slip away
I'll watch for a sign
And if I should ever again cross your mind
I'll sit my room and wait until nightlife begins
And catching my breath, we'll both brave the weather again
Here am I alone again
The quiet town where life gives in
Here am I just wondering
Nightporters go
Nightporters slip away
The lyrics of Japan's song Nightporter are filled with emotions of love, fear, and loneliness. The opening lines, "Could I ever explain this feeling of love?" describes the confusion and chaos that love can bring. It's a feeling that is hard to put into words, it just lingers on. The fear in the heart is overwhelming as it keeps telling which way to turn, highlighting the confusion in the mind.
The chorus, "Here am I alone again, a quiet town where life gives in," describes the feeling of being alone amid the chaos of the world. It portrays a sense of isolation and detachment from the world. The words "Nightporters go, Nightporters slip away" ignites a sense of longing or yearning for something that's unattainable.
The following lines bring back the memory of wandering in the rain, hiding in places that could hold infinite pleasure within the width of a room. It's a memory that brings back joy but is tainted with the feeling of uncertainty and fear. The song culminates with a sense of hope for meeting again as the singer watches for a sign, then braves the weather to catch his breath with the other.
Line by Line Meaning
Could I ever explain this feeling of love?
Is it possible for me to fully articulate the depth and complexity of this love I feel?
It just lingers on
This love persists and endures.
The fear in my heart that keeps telling me
My apprehension and uncertainty guide my actions.
Which way to turn
I am unsure of the path to take.
We'll wander again
We will travel without a specific destination in mind.
Our clothes they are wet
We are exposed to the elements, and perhaps emotionally vulnerable as well.
We shy from the rain
We retreat from discomfort and seek shelter.
Longing to touch all the places we know we can hide
We yearn for intimacy and the security of familiar spaces.
The width of a room that can hold so much pleasure inside
Despite the small physical space, we find immense joy and satisfaction within our surroundings.
Here am I alone again
I find myself in a state of solitude once more.
A quiet town where life gives in
The peacefulness of this place is overpowering and suffocating.
Here am I just wondering
I am lost in thought and contemplation.
Nightporters go
Those who work the night shift are departing for their jobs.
Nightporters slip away
The night shift workers leave quietly and unseen.
I'll watch for a sign
I will remain attentive and alert for any indication of your feelings toward me.
And if I should ever again cross your mind
If you were to think of me in the future.
I'll sit my room and wait until nightlife begins
I will anticipate the arrival of night, when you may be more likely to think of me.
And catching my breath, we'll both brave the weather again
After taking a moment to calm down and compose ourselves, we will face the adversity together once more.
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.