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.
The Art Of Parties
Japan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Once I was smart
Now I'm living on the edge of my nerves
The things we said weren't quite so tough
When we were young
Well I'm burning
I'm burning buildings
For the art of parties
Under heavy weather
The art of parties
I'm burning...burning
I'm living
I'm living my life
I'm living
This time
The wind blew through my hair
Once I was young
I'd shelter from the sun
Once I was smart
We lived on the strength of our nerves
When we were young
Well I'm burning
I'm burning buildings
I'm building...this time
The Art Of Parties by Japan is a song that seems to explore themes of aging and the changes that come with it. The opening lines, "Once I was young, Once I was smart" suggest a longing for youthful energy and intelligence. The singer continues to describe how they're now "living on the edge of my nerves" which implies a sense of anxiety and uncertainty.
Throughout the song, there are references to burning buildings and building something new. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for leaving behind the old and creating something new, whether that be in career, personal life, or in oneself. The repetition of "I'm building... this time" implies a determination to do things differently and create a new future.
The chorus of the song, "For the art of parties, under heavy weather, the art of parties, I'm burning... burning" is somewhat ambiguous in its meaning. It could suggest a desire to have fun and enjoy life despite any difficulties or hardships faced, or it could represent a nihilistic attitude towards life and living for the moment without a care for the consequences.
Overall, The Art Of Parties is a complex and multi-layered song, open to interpretation and analysis.
Interesting Facts:
Line by Line Meaning
Once I was young
I used to be young.
Once I was smart
I was intelligent in my youth.
Now I'm living on the edge of my nerves
I'm very anxious and nervous about my current state of living.
The things we said weren't quite so tough
Our words weren't as harsh or serious as they are now.
When we were young
Referring back to a time when the artist and others were young.
Well I'm burning
I'm setting things on fire intentionally.
I'm burning buildings
Specifically, I'm igniting structures on fire.
I'm building...this time
I'm creating something new or making progress in a particular endeavor.
For the art of parties
All of this destruction is for the sake of having enjoyable parties or events.
Under heavy weather
Despite inclement or challenging conditions.
The art of parties
Repeated phrase emphasizing the importance of enjoyable social events.
I'm living my life
I am currently living without any regrets or hesitations.
The wind blew through my hair
Physical sensation or memory of feeling wind in one's hair.
I'd shelter from the sun
In the past, the singer would seek protection from sunlight.
We lived on the strength of our nerves
In their youth, the singer and others relied on their bravery and courage to get through difficult situations.
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.