Japan: Don't Rain on My Parade

[ZiggyNinne]

OMG he looks like Kim Carnes xD

[jonflynn1]

TRULY WONDERFUL AMAZING VID thanks for uploding

[louiscarruthers]

2:09 is funny

[VoltageLineTV]

i love it

[ppauly]

juicy juicy?

[prinznevsky]

This shit still boggles my mind. A: This is the same band that would later put out Tin Drum, and B: Hansa records signed them instead of The Cure. Weird...

[Blissbomb2]

Gen X rules!

[get2535]

Only for once, they sounded so punk

[philthyTDR]

I was a teenager in the glam rock years and know what a glam outfit is. Japan produced one song, DROMP that could be construed as glam but other than that nothing. Adolescent sex isn't glam rock. They came out in the days of New Wave but were more akin to the New Romantics in appearance. Now where have I said that glam didn't wear make-up? Glam was about being theatrical not about trying to look like a woman. The glam use of make-up was a theatrical addition to the show ala Bowie.

[petermurphreak]

Mr. Sylvian, you're almost TOO FUCKING GORGEOUS to FUNCTION!!!...

[Skillusions]

Amazingly that at the time this is EXACTLY how they sounded.. David went through amazing development as an artist over the years, this is and 18 year old south east london lad signing with his mates - pity the press werent intelligent enough to realise that at the time... they missed out, they really, the band were great here, and during Quiet Life, and the Polaroids period(s)

[laissezfayre]

They wanted to be the worst punk band next to the New York Dolls, but they ended up being more successful than the Hollywood Brats. I bought this single back in the early 90's - hilarious version of the old 60's classic! :)

[scotsburd63]

I imagine this is how the Sex Pistols might do it!!!

[scotsburd63]

This is excellent!! Dave has a whole 'new' image here!!!

[adman2481]

So sad to hear about Nick, I love this band with all my heart....RIP

[FlashFace]

Mick Karn - you will be missed.

[69schuey]

rest in peace mick!!! soooooooooooo sad xxx

[MATTY0MOO]

can't beat the original. but this is neat :) x

[karen5taylor]

mmmmmm♥

[himself801]

Weird to hear after decades of knowing the Barbra Streisand version (1962).

Appearance wise, he reminds me of David Johassen of the New York Dolls.

[goodanswergoodanswer]

I love everything about David......he was/is cool, talented, sexy & very beautiful.

[jonsilence]

Totally twisted 

[pennie1995]

WOW VERY HOT AND SEXY DAVID!!!

[jengirl4116]

Never take this down

It's fantastic

[MotherOfGodItsShawn]

i sorry...completely killed it

[raiinbowblueskiies]

That was crap they sound like a toilet flush!!

[ariesscorpiorising]

@raiinbowblueskiies Go paint the town a rainbow, you gaylord!!! This is some seriously COOOOOOOOL shit!! End of story, arsehole!! TeeHee!!! ;)

[airhead199115]

they just killed a great song

[brchippy]

well my sister was into these guys way back, but to me now they seem like they try to copy david bowie:)

[gregingram1970]

duran duran never copied japan. both copied same bands.

duran duran are present and lasted much much longer than japan.

[twinsehayes]

Horrible...

[chique1111]

omg you are idiots,this is soooooooooooooooooooo good!

[beamerZ]

cool

[bicman232]

ONE WORD: BAD

[drgctube]

this is crap

[ashchalky]

different

[RachaelVonD]

This band is pretty cool. They remind me of a mix between Hanoi Rocks and either Sweet or T. Rex.

[WombatKuek]

wow.....this song rocks! barbara streisand can suck it

[dermotoblong]

muppet

[philthyTDR]

Just having long hair doesn't make you a glam rock band. Japan's music wasn't glam and neither was their appearance. They're closer to Duran Duran than any band from the galm rock era.

[dermotoblong]

and you really know your stuff dont you dickhead?

[philthyTDR]

Japan weren't glam. Glam was way before them with the likes of Sweet, Slade, Glitter, Bowie, T-Rex etc. Japan came along much later with the arty new wave and new romantic bands and got stuck so far up their own backsides they faded into oblivion.

[paintedship]

this is very much rooted in glam influence along with some punk and at that time probably out of place. They dropped this act by the time Quiet Life came around. I'd say their first 2 albums aren't through and through glam but it's definitely hard to deny it's not glam at all.

[paintedship]

@philthyTDR glam still existed in the later 70s look at Rabbit, Skyhooks, Slade was still doing it. Japan totally had glam influences when they started in '74 until '79. Japan's early stage sounds nothing like DD, it's a NY Dolls/glam thing for sure

[philthyTDR]

@paintedship Totally disagree. You only need to read the press cuttings around the time to see Japan label themselves as New Romantics. Listen to the rest of the album and not one song on it can be described as glam rock. They all dressed like dandys, which is symbolic of the New Romantic genre. The glam genre was all glitter and silver but did include extensive use of makeup. New Wave and New Romanticism were a spin off from glam which is where the similarities eminate.

[waybexxx]

@philthyTDR Well since this was 1978, and the band had be around for a few years already, they had more in common with glam rock... the new romantics didn't really start to appear til 79. Not sure how you can say glam didn't involve make-up... look at Bowie, for example, in the early 70s! Japan were influenced by the likes of New York Dolls (in sound and looks) long before Steve Strange and those lot ever got the New Romantic ball rolling.

[paintedship]

@philthyTDR How could you possibly consider early Japan circa 1977-78 New Romantic? I guess that would make Hanoi Rocks New Romantic then too? They look pretty close to them. That makes zero sense at all. Japan DID NOT ever label themselves as new romantics- that came from the club scene like Blitz Kids, Visage, etc and that was later. The press labeled Japan as New Romantic but that was later again and after they changed styles. Japan didn't change looks/musical style completely until 1979.

[paintedship]

@philthyTDR How the hell are songs like Automatic Gun,  Adolescent Sex, The unconventional, etc. New Romantic? They're totally stepped in glam rock/hard rock/disco-ish trash through and through.

[Blissbomb2]

Countdown did flog the crap out of this clip, but it was great and was a hit.

[Michaelfrancismalart]

JAPAN where ridiculed for being a Glam rock band inspired by Roxy Music T.Rex and Bowie at a time, in the late Seventies 1978 '79, when to be new wave meant credibility. This song was my introduction to JAPAN, Australian pop TV show Countdown featured it and it became a big hit. In fact the only two countries that embraced JAPAN at this point where Australia and Japan.

[jshydlo]

They are singing Don't Rain on my Parade from that classic flick "Funny Girl" - watch the film and watch the BEST version of this song! (Except in recent episode of Glee...also fab!)

[lta687]

I was a huge fan of Japan, my mate Duran Duran, in 1982 we went to the Liverpool Apollo Japan on 1st night, Duran next, we met both of them, Japan were def not early 70's. Infact I studied for my o levels whilst listening to tin drum etc in 1984. I spent far to much money on Japenese import 12 inches, japenese mags, obscure 12 inches, all of which I haven't listened to until tonight on u tube. When you remember the words, what happened at the time comes flooding back, happy days ;-)

[malimble]

@lta687

I really get what you are are saying, Bands come an go, as your life changes. The thing I love about places like youTube is, it reminds us about the places that we'd forgotten.

All eras of Japan are still interesting, but the GTP era was still the best for me, Not expecting anyone to agree, that's not the point, really... :)

[paintedship]

nah I'd agree their best stuff came after their glam phase- quiet life, GTP, tin drum, many people would agree along with the band themselves. GTP is my favorite album by them.

[MiyaviManson]

What a voice O_O

I love it, love Japan! <3

[mikele444]

n1!!!!!!!!!!!

[fluffycatears]

I want men to look like that again!

[PurpleBlueHaze]

I cant agree more! (*_*)

[dermotoblong]

quality never dies! :D

[Pazak68]

I don't have the hair for it anymore. Sorry:)

[canyonmom27]

@fluffycatears ME TOO! 

[Sazzied2]

Who on earth is that Biffandango twerp? Sod off with your silly words.

Cor, don't our Dave look effing sexy in this vid?

[Safuza]

0.o wow...

Um...interesting differences between this and Streisand's version lol =D

[lewislane]

yay, its fun to watch back to back with babs version ;)

[seaviewsamuel]

I had not heard this for 15 years and now I have it brings back all those memories of the gorgeous Joanne Dooley and just how amazing this song and this band was.

[gorgonslave]

theres no reason why this lineup this era of Japan shouldnt go down in history as the best of its kind. Unique and amazing.

[OldishMusic]

For me Mick is the best member, he's so cute and talented!

Thanks so much for posting!

[advancedauto]

Great band. Very talented musicians and singer. Their look on this album to me marked the end of the "Glam Rock" scene and layed the foundation for the "New Wave" look. I'm reffering totally to their look, not the music.

[HALLAMA]

Start of Glam Rock... not end!

[advancedauto]

Glam started with Bowie's Ziggy Stardust in the 70's.

[HALLAMA]

@advancedauto Japan started in the 70's!

David Bowie was an 'odd ball' who protested about people complaining about people having long hair, music was a secondary for him, he wasn't Glam rock, that's like saying Rocky Horror was Glam Rock, Brian Ferry was Glam Rock but he found it around the same time as Japan, David Bowie was a late starting chamilian as far as I'm concerned, don't get me wrong I like David Bowie, but his early 80's stuff stinks of David Sylvian style.

[darkimages]

lol Roxy/Ferry wannabes

[MisAnnThorpe]

@darkimages Yeah, but not at this stage. This was their New (Tok)York Dolls phase.

[oogie11]

ha ha ha :P wow, is this really japan??!!wow, clearly inspired by new york dolls in their early days in late 1970s surely

[HALLAMA]

Japan were early 70's

[oogie11]

well, technically they were prominent throughout the 1970s, hmmm? :)

[HALLAMA]

and through the 80s but early 80's had the pop explosion acts such as Duran Duran and Wham which took the glitter.

[oogie11]

Um hmm :) duran duran ripped off Japan i must say, or to put it more kindly, they were 'inspired' by Japan both in style and music.

[ashbanger]

@oogie11 well duran had the kind of success japan should have had had-they did kind of copy japan to begin with but they had a vibe that was all there own-duran and japan are both great bands who came from the same "school"ie bowie/roxy music influenced art-glam-rock

[oogie11]

@ashbanger Well, Duran Duran were not as subtle as Japan...they were too mainstream...I mean, I do like their songs 'Planet Earth' and 'Rio'...but Japan were cololer than Duran Duran, plus Japan had a varied number of styles, whereas Duran Duran didn't.

I agree with you that they both were inspired by bowie/roxy music, which is good

[ashbanger]

@oogie11 i am a fan of both acts in pretty much equal measures but i have managed see duran live-i was only a "wean"when japan split up- so that makes me a bit biased towards duran.The only things that annoys me about Japan is that they more or less stopped using lead guitar on their last couple of albums-they were better when they were more of a "ROCK" group in the early years-and Rob Dean could really shred!!

[jobber4life]

@ashbanger but Rob Dean was still doing interesting stuff on those albums- the ebo solo on quiet life comes to mind, gentlemen take polaroids, swing. It's more noticeable when they're playing live. It's a shame that he left though. Comparing this to what they did later is like night and day though and I'd much rather take what came after than this.

[bordine74]

whatever

[HurdyGurdyChallenge]

This is the perfect counterpart to Barbra's cover of Bowie's Life on Mars (the "Buttahfly" album). BRILLIANT!

[weezybrit]

what a great start "adolescent sex" was! this is fab for sure..

[liseaux]

flippin eck that's rough

[HumanJarv]

Tin Drum fo' me ^_^ Then backwards, chronologically hehe.

[musicmoonlight]

Cool to see again. I was a collector. Such a different sound then later Japan. I appreciate thier early stuff. Still, I remember David mentioning not to buy this early music. He was not proud of it. He wanted to be remembered with Quiet Life and on. This was in a years ago interview I saw or heard. I do like the early and the later Japan. Thanks.

[cobbcon2001]

Interesting. I like all of Japan's stuff, but I think Gentlemen Take Polaroids was the best.

[DarcyAndWolfgang]

How could David not be proud of this?

It is fab.

[MisAnnThorpe]

@musicmoonlight And ever since he has been embarrassed by Japan full stop. As far as I'm aware he has only ever performed 3 Japan songs live as a solo artist; Ghosts, Nightporter and The other side of life.

[cosmica999]

'Alternative Obscurities is another massively underated period of Japans music.'

Sorry to be picky - but it was actually Obscure Alternatives - almost right!

Japan were the best of the best in a genre of their own - they got lumped into the "new romantics" only because David Sylvian wore make up - they are totally unique - every album a completely different style. For me the "Quiet Life" was their best, although Gentlemen Take Polaroids comes a very close 2nd.

[jsilence418]

Firstly. who was making a comparison between Japan and any body? who gives a rats about duran duran? maybe some one like you who can't differentiate.Maybe when you get out of the third grade, you will try hard to shut up and learn.... if you're lucky!

[HumanJarv]

I <3 This!!!!

[jsilence418]

to compare Mick Karn and john fucking taylor from duran dewran shows your head injury hasn't healed .Also if bad taste is painful. you should be on a morphine IV!!! thanks for the post!

[xxxstarmanxxx]

I believe you cant actually compare Duran to Japan at all - Music wise I think they were polls apart - Even during the early part Of Japans career their music was so much more serious than it was mainstream - Alternative Obscurities is another massively underated period of Japans music. I would compare them more to Bauhaus than Duran. If Duran stole anything from Japan its was 'escapism' in their music - But duran only touched on visual escapism whereas Japan had it in sound vocal and visual.

[MisAnnThorpe]

@xxxstarmanxxx Bauhaus? I'd have said they were closer to Icehouse!

[cupcaketopper]

from this to Tin Drum.....wow.

[vghy975]

Four words: "This is Spinal Tap".

[PAULLONDEN]

Music & immage wise

these guys had it sorted

[Brownies79]

I love 1:32 when Mick stares at David and runs away!

[OldishMusic]

I keep laughing at that part. I also have some dialogue in my head when it comes to Mick trying to sing the backing and Sylvian always comes and ruins it.

"What are you doing I'm trying to f**king concentrate!"

"Not you again you b*****d!"

"Why can't you just leave me in peace?"

And in Adolescent Sex Sylvian uses Mick as an elbow-rest. =(

[grzegorzpiaseczny]

@Brownies79 hah funny

[timtheskin]

great song for a first single,,,i love these guys, my first tatoo was homemade JAPAN on my hand in early 80s

[kidcalabria]

When Japan first started they looked like The New York Dolls & sounded like Roxy Music. By their 3rd album, Quiet Life, they reached their 'maturity'. Tin Drum is an amazing record & they're still underrated. Duran Duran totally ripped 'em off & with a more pop version of their stuff stormed the charts.

[gxbailey]

No.

[ajittffcure]

Firstly, I am not a big fan of Duran Duran. But I can't agree with your last statement, completely. Duran Duran was definitely influenced by Japan, especially Nick Rhodes who adopted David Sylvian's image. I think their image was perhaps largely copied by Duran Duran. But as far as music was concerned, they were quite different. If you take the examples of two great bass players in both the groups- Mick Karn and John Taylor, their bass playing was really different from each other.

[mike6459]

I think Michael Jackson got the glove idea from DS

[suejan2349]

Still got the album, but haven't played it in while ha ha

[thefaithyouprove]

I adore D.S.; loved Japan. BUT THIS MADE ME AFRAID.

[chezzeeX]

Well,i think that was mad! I didn't know Japan at that time and to be honest they're kind of weird.Davids long hair and the way he tries to act like a woman,i think why oh why? He didn't have to.

[rhysivora]

I went to see these guys at ryerson theater in toronto in 78 or 79. I went to the hard rock for a beer before the show and d.s. was there. I was the only one who recognised him. When I went to say hello he asked me to join him. GREAT show GREAT!!!!! party after.

[fingersin]

OMG...I'd like to hear more about that meet!!!!!!!!

[FrancoDamn]

Rob Dean is a good guitarist. In the late 70s there were good guitarists like John McGeoch (RIP), Andy Gill, Bernard Sumner, Pete Shelley, Steve Diggle, etc. But Dean must be in the list. In general thinkings, the four friends from the same school who formed Japan are good musicians, but Rob is underrated.

[shrn666]

so tough! it's so amazing that when you refer to japan, you could be talking about this, or gentlemen take polaroids...super rad!!!

[uitgeburgerd]

same song by Barbra Streisand on here :-O

[rhysivora]

try velvet underground with niko

[krasnimeanzred]

waz dat be4 duran duran? cuz dat smellz.. ok, da iz david bowie 2 hear here, .. so, what about di you-night-@-stay-it'z off a miracle doin' shit all around da world, any1 an idea? noo?

[nemetem7]

I'm in good company (Sylvian himself...)

[nemetem7]

I like the clothes but I hate the hair and the music.

[JohnnySwitchblade]

Well that's just gay of you.

[flossy100]

but thanks ecallender it's a great vid!

[brailaconnect]

Shame that David disowns the early Japan years. He really is a pretentious prat these days. The last decent music he made was 20 years ago with Secrets of the Beehive. Mick's cool about all the Japan output.

[flossy100]

hahahahah that's so funny brailaconnect. Yeah totally - Sylvian has become a pretentious prat! I loved the band but yeah..... I prefer mick karn's attude now. Also I felt sylvian was dismissive towards mick karn after japan split as though he'd moved on to a higher plane. Mick was was a dude and the most unusual musician around - he deserved respect.

[johnstonutd]

THANKS, ITS COOL!

[kimrockchic]

he was on files at school-much to the amazement of my friends!!!!!!!!!!!

[xxxCheeryCherryxxx]

David Sylvian can rain on MY parade anytime!!!! Teeheehee

Thanks for uploading this song!!!!

[opdurkin]

you renege on what was best, then you come back to it, less moping more swagger, orpheus in lip gloss

[Nephilimfields]

I wonder if David's kids have seen these videos!!

[lazysusan103]

Nicky Arnstien, Nicky Arnstien!

[adewolf]

Funny seeing David Sylvian doing Bowie/Jagger stage swaggering...

[DackRambo]

CLASSIC !!!