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.
Sons Of Pioneers
Japan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometime ago
Sometimes we sense the doubt together
Sometimes alone
I'm tired but we won't sleep at all
Even though the air is calm
There's something here it's something warm
Sons of pioneers are hungry men
Every voice I hear sounds so familiar
Every song I know
Still there's been no change in the weather
But sometime we'll have to go
I'm tired but we won't sleep at all
Even though the air is calm
There's something here it's something warm
Something cuts and scars inside tonight
Sons of pioneers are hungry men
The lyrics of Japan's song "Sons of Pioneers" convey a sense of longing and restlessness. The first stanza begins with the singer expressing a feeling of being trapped in a situation for a long time, but at the same time, there is a sense of detachment from that feeling. The second line suggests that the singer is reminiscing about a past that seems distant now.
The second stanza talks about a shared uncertainty that the singer senses between the people around him/her. The line "Sometimes alone" indicates that even though there may be others around, one can feel isolated and disconnected. The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm tired but we won't sleep at all", which suggests that there is an urgency to move forward, to not waste any time.
The final line of the chorus, "Sons of pioneers are hungry men", can be interpreted in various ways. It may suggest that the singer and the people around him are a new generation who are eager to explore and discover new things. Or it may refer to the original pioneer spirit of exploring the unknown and pushing boundaries. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of longing for a new adventure and a desire to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I feel I've been here forever
I often feel like I've spent an eternity in this place.
Sometime ago
But that feeling may have started a while back.
Sometimes we sense the doubt together
Occasionally we all feel uncertain, and we share that feeling.
Sometimes alone
But sometimes we experience our doubts individually.
I'm tired but we won't sleep at all
I'm exhausted, but we'll stay awake anyway.
Even though the air is calm
Despite the peacefulness of the surroundings.
There's something here it's something warm
We sense a comforting presence that makes us feel secure.
Something cuts and scars inside tonight
But at the same time, we feel deeply emotional and maybe even hurt by something.
Sons of pioneers are hungry men
We are ambitious and driven individuals who seek new opportunities to grow and thrive.
Every voice I hear sounds so familiar
I recognize the voices of those around me all too well.
Every song I know
I'm familiar with all the music we listen to.
Still there's been no change in the weather
But nothing seems to change, even though time goes on.
But sometime we'll have to go
Eventually, we'll have to leave this place behind and move on.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: DAVID SYLVIAN, MICK KARN
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
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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.