Karn was born Anthony Michaelides in Nicosia, Cyprus before emigrating to London, England at the age of 3. He has worked with noted New Wave artists Gary Numan, Kate Bush, Midge Ure and Joan Armatrading as well as being a member of Dali's Car with Peter Murphy of the gothic post-punk group, Bauhaus. In the 1990s he worked with artist David Torn as well as a number of Japanese musicians, including the band NiNa.
He has a distinctive playing style and sound on the fretless bass guitar which makes his playing immediately recognizable not to mention highly influential. With his contribution Japan is often considered one of the most unique and greatest groups of the late glam rock to new wave era. After Mick's first solo release Titles in 1982, Pete Townshend claimed that "Mick was by far the best bassist in the UK", and so invited him to join him in a super group to celebrate the engagement of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
Karn played the aluminium neck Travis Bean bass in all Japan albums up to Gentlemen Take Polaroids. In 1981 he moved onto the renowned Wal basses and bought two fretless mk1, one with Tulipwood facings and the other being a Cherry solidbody. Mick recorded Japan's last studio album Tin Drum with the Wal and has continued to use them, helping further their popularity worldwide.
It is interesting to note that Karn's mastery of the fretless bass,with his own unique sound,eclectic voicings,and oft strange intervals,belies the fact that he has little to no knowledge of music theory.
"I don't know about being the best, I still can't read music so I'm certainly not technically the best, I don't even know what the notes are on a bass. Sometimes I'm told I can't play that note with this chord, to which I reply: well, why not if it sounds good? The best? No, but having never heard anyone play in a similar way, I'd certainly consider perhaps being the most original!"
Still,one can only guess at the inner working of an artists' gears as they turn and propel an art that can not be denied.
After all,can a colorblind painter be judged by his choices in hues? Is not the final product,as well as the act,the sufficient sum?
Mick Karn has carved out for himself an incredible career with thousands of adoring fans,students of his unique style on the bass, and the respect of his peers.
Suggested listening:
With Dalis Car "The Waking Hour"
With Gary Numan "Dance", "Telekon"
With David Torn "Door X"
With Torn/Karn/Bozzio "Polytown"
With Japan Anything!
With Rain Tree Crow "Rain Tree Crow"
With Yoshihiro Hanno "Liquid Glass"
With JBK "-ism", "Playing In a Room with People"
Mick Karn "Bestial Cluster","The Tooth Mother","Love's Glove","More Better Different"
Trust Me
Mick Karn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to see you in my arms, but still we're apart
I can feel you in my mind, and in my heart
Your voice makes me so weak, and just want to touch
Will you kill me?
You can't stand to be away, you look happy but you're sad
No-one ever sees you, all they do is stare
But even though I give you faith, there won't be no scars
You can trust me
He can make you do stuff, in time for the guard(?)
Put your head on my chest, and hand on my heart
Other nights in your car, was the mills so very far?
How much longer will you keep me inside?
In the song Trust Me by Mick Karn, the lyrics explore the complicated emotions of a person who is struggling with feelings of isolation and the desire for physical and emotional connection with someone else. The singer expresses feelings of fear about being alone, and is only able to feel present when they are able to connect with the person they care about through phone calls. The lyrics also express a longing to be in the arms of the other person, but acknowledge that they are currently separated.
The singer can feel the other person in their mind and in their heart, and the sound of their voice has a strong effect on them. The singer questions whether or not the other person might eventually hurt them, and expresses concern about their own vulnerability. At the same time, they express a desire to be trusted by the other person, and to be a source of support and reassurance for them in turn.
Throughout the lyrics, there is a sense of emotional tension and complexity. The singer experiences a combination of fear, longing, affection, and concern, and there is an underlying uncertainty about the future of their relationship. Mick Karn's haunting vocals and the dreamy, atmospheric instrumentation of the song help to underscore these deep feelings and the complicated dynamic between the two people at the heart of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel scared to be alone, I'm not here unless you phone
I'm afraid of being by myself, I only feel present when you reach out to me
I want to see you in my arms, but still we're apart
I long to have you close to me physically, but circumstances are keeping us apart
I can feel you in my mind, and in my heart
Though we're not together, I hold you close to me emotionally all the time
Your voice makes me so weak, and just want to touch
Your words have a physical effect on me, creating a desire to be close to you
Will you kill me?
Are you going to be the one to cause me harm or bring me down emotionally?
You can't stand to be away, you look happy but you're sad
You can't bear to be separated, though you seem content on the surface, you actually feel quite unhappy
No-one ever sees you, all they do is stare
People only see a facade of you and don't really understand the real you
And it hurts, I'm glad, 'cos this way it's safe
It causes me pain, but I'm happy that keeping some distance between us is a way to stay safe
But even though I give you faith, there won't be no scars
Though I promise to be trustworthy, there may be damage that is done regardless
You can trust me
Despite everything, you can rely on me and my commitment to you
He can make you do stuff, in time for the guard(?)
Someone else may be influencing your behavior or decisions, and perhaps you feel pressured to act a certain way at certain times
Put your head on my chest, and hand on my heart
I want you to get close to me both physically and emotionally
Other nights in your car, was the mills so very far?
In the past, we've had nights together in your car, and I wonder if time has actually separated us as much as it seems
How much longer will you keep me inside?
How much longer will we be apart and unable to be together physically?
Contributed by Hunter V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.