John Punter's production/engineering skills are all over this....great stuff!
My wife and I were spinning my pristine UK vinyl pressing over the weekend. After playing this LP we went on a Punter vinyl frenzy...Roxy Music, Kevin Ayers, The Spoons, Camel, Pseudo Echo, Procol Harum, ect. The man is a genius :)
being an 80s teenagers myself, i did like duran duran , japan , spandau ballet TFF , DM etc... but to say duran duran were the best band of the 80s is pushing it somewhat. Their music was nothing more than average and they have failed to evolve into anything of any substance or significance...,Japan made 2 mediocre albums never really hit the heights in the songwriting stakes but this is a good track all the same...due to GM in the main...ps Depeche mode are lightyears better than both...
Can't believe some of the comments on here. You guys make me ashamed to be a Duran Duran fan. I suspect you're firmly in the 'deluded' Duran Duran fan camp, to the point where you think that they can do no wrong and that there is no better band in the world. Stop being idiots and give Japan the credit they deserve, they were equally as good.
Mick Karn. I saw this great bass player playing with Japan at the Hammersmith Odeon. He tripped over the cables on stage and laughed. A prodigy for all fretless great bass players. Bill Nelson rated him and that is all I have to say. RIP Mick.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
@trickykid73 inronically, you mention stats and i think duran duran have at least 1 song with this very low numver of stats. in saying that oridiary world, come undone, girl painic, rio, hungry like the wolf, the reflex, save a prayer, wild boys, planet earth, girls on film come to a combined 94 million views.I think the voting public opinion out think you some way my dear chicken pie...nobody except closet gays and people trapped in 1982 in their mind would actually watch this shit
@trickykid73 hi tricky kid 73...i am thinking you are born in 73 yet refer to yourself as a kid? this is interesting as you would probably be around 39. This leads me to believe you have issues with your age and your level of maturity? I think based on this evidence, you are probably a child porn watcher and lover of underage kids who you visualise molesting. I can tell your a deviant
PS i dont suck cock as im not gay.
I dont actually watch this video. Butt have fun with retards
@gregingram1970 Act your age troll !!!,and dont reply as you are making a fool of yourself , but i do wish you was here right now as i would jump start your fucking head .... so please die in pain ...soon , and i hope your parents die in a freak yachting boat accident :) xxx.....cunt
LOL at your offensive comments! I like you!! YOu made me LOL for about 4 seconds!! I would prefer not to die in a painful way but i will seriously try to achieve this and let you know. I have a friend who is a medium and i have instruted them to communicate with you psychically to inform you of my terrible fate, should this happen. Is that ok with you?
but til this happens, I am going to be a pain in your mind. I know you love abusing kids.
@trickykid73 I love the txt style smiles and xxx's at the end of your message. it also suggests an age of around 14. Its not only on your name its in the way you write! infact, i bet you are a child killer. I hope the makers of CSI see this post and act on it. They would raid your house and find kid porn and dead bodies im sure.
@gregingram1970 If they raid his house they will find him amidst his own fluids while "mama" brews up some bean soup. Stupid bastard doesn't know if he's on land or sea
@trickykid73 Shut the fuck up and stop braying all over the page like a retarded donkey. You sound like someone who was grown in a lab as opposed to actually living on earth. Wait till you get past puberty and then see how you feel. If the hormone replacement works of course. Now shave your neck. Bitch
And par lay lar . . . "yachting boat accident"?
Are you trying to quote Blackadder? I suggest you get it right if you are.
This is the song I've heard first from Japan in 1988. I fell in love with this music in that moment, and this love is as strong as then even today in 2011.
Great song (esp Mick Kahn's (?) bass playing. Always thought, though, that Sylvian was trying a little too hard to sing like Bryan Ferry & look like David Bowie..... & if you're gonna emulate anyone - they're not a bad pair to choose [:o)
although japan were undeniebly talented i wouldnt say they were completely original.David did an excellent job in sounding like Brian ferry and the band a little bit roxy, who incidently were around a good ten years before japan.
Japan were original, completely original, but they took their inspiration in their early days as well. You can't knock Duran Duran, a very talented five piece. They were aware of what was going around them but they went to another level (more commercial, polished level). It's like comparing Athletic Bilbao to Barcelona in football terms.
This is the first single I bought as a teenager when I moved countries and schools. It was a brilliant record back in 1981 and it's still bloody brilliant now! Japan were a fantastic group who, though successful, never made it quite as big as they should have. Not that it matters. Their music stands the test of time and that's the biggest test of all. Thanks for posting this track!!!
Japan were well ahead of their time and Mick Karn was an astonishing talent and fashion wise was the most aventguard person on the planet in the early 80s.
Just watched the BBC series 'The British At Work' reaching episode 3 and the 1980's-year of the hated yuppie and decade of me, me, me. Anyway at the beginning there is this tune and I just couldn't remember who sang it-now this has put me out of my misery-this is also on The Best of Electric Pt2 CD.
Something which seems to have been totally overlooked is the fact that this song (and indeed "Planet Earth" by Duran Duran) sounds just like "The Chase" by Giorgio Moroder (the theme from the film "Midnight Express") which was recorded at the end of 1977 (before Japan or Duran Duran had even appeared on the scene). And who produced "Quiet Life"? Giorgio Moroder. The main synth/sequencer on this song was actually played by Moroder himself and not Japan keyboardist Richard Barbieri.
@DuranFan09 Giorgio Moroder didn't produce Japan's 'Quiet Life', where did you get that info from? Actually he was way too busy in working with Donna Summer and doin' a profitable solo career. Nobody's denying Moroder's contribution to music, but still I agree with the guy who has commented that Japan and others are a part of a league of their own. Also I think Duran Duran is one of the most overrated bands in rock and pop history -I like it very much tough.
@MechaGojira00 I actually got the information from an interview with Giorgio Moroder that I was reading last year. He claims to have produced 'Quiet Life' and said that he played the arpeggiator synth on the song (but remaining uncredited in the sleeve notes etc). Sorry if this is wrong, but it does come from the horse's mouse, unless he was just bullshitting for whatever reason...
@DuranFan09 You will find that it was the song ' Life in Tokyo' that Giorgio Moroder was involved with and no more. When David Sylvian and their manager Simon Napier Bell went to meet Mr Moroder they listened to a number of tracks and and Big bad Sylv picked the worst sounding as he knew Mr Moroder would have no objection in the track being totally re-invented. So your posting on here is ill informed and basically shit my friend. As for "The Chase" by G Moroder, his take was from Kraftwerk
@irishcowboy42 Well done on your comments. I stated some time ago that giorgio moroder had influenced this track. You can here this and donna summers I feel Love as being very similar and of course this track was out 3 years later. Japan are not original and certainly died nearly 30 years ago. duran duran on the other hand, flourished and evolved and were creatively and commerically much more successful. No contest.
@gregingram1970 Japan were not original? Listen to 'Tin Drum' friend and hear the production that still stands the test of time. As much as i respect DD's success their music in my humble opinion was nothing short of girly pop and quite banal to listen to and how exactly did they flourish and evolve when 20 years later they were still using the same techniques. As for your 'no contest' you got that right but amusingly the wrong way around. As i stated already just my humble opinion .
@irishcowboy42 HI...and interesting opinion you have. I doubt its a good one of course. Girly pop and duran duran? well i doubt if anyone seriously would accept that negative critique and so i wont dwell on it too long my friend LOL. I think you meant nearer 30 years later is what they used the original production technqiues to mimic what they their fans consider their best period - especially the RIo album. Of course duran duran and japan are a no contest. Japan died 30 years ago
@irishcowboy42 TIn Drum was utter and astonishing shite. GTP and QL are the only albums of note. The pre-synth pop Japan was awful. I wouldnt listen to it. The post QL with exception of DS solo stuff in mid 80s was pish poor. In short my dear buddy, Japan had only 2 albums with some good tracks is what I give them. the rest of their work is bland and wishy-washy poor Kraftwerk-esque waflle...like non-harmonic and psuedo intellectual wanna-be well crafted Shakespearean pop music.
Boys, now the times are changing The going could get rough Boys, would that ever cross your mind? Boys, are you contemplating moving out somewhere? Boys, will you ever find the time? il find the time ;) As you turn to leave Never looking back Will you think of me? If you ever, could it ever stop? ITS NEVER GONNER STOP, being a casual will always be in me and the buzz is too addictive even with my mrs mwahhhhhhhhahahahahahah
"ariesscorpiorising" - Duran Duran were one of the most overrated bands of the 80s... DM & Spandau were great (I saw Spandau live just 6 months ago in fact & they were INCREDIBLE), but David Sylvian's in a league all his own, always has been... Japan never got the credit they deserved because they were nowhere near as radio-friendly as the rest. But they were still in another fucking league altogether.
@JohnoEAL Japan were very good but they certainly were not *better* than Duran Duran. They are both on par as far as I'm concerned. People are only hating because Duran drew a lot of their inspiration from Japan. You can hardly point the finger at Duran in this day and age where 80% of musicians have copied other people's work in some shape or form, intentionally or not.
As for Spandau Ballet... sorry, not my cup of tea. Martin Kemp seems more intent on doing awful period dramas on ITV1.
"DuranFan09" - Heheheheh, yeah Martin Kemp is a bit of a twat - but Hadley is a GOD! Man his voice was just indescribably brilliant 6 months ago!! He's lost nothing!
As for your duran duran comments - I'm so sure they were utterly impartial, Mr/Ms "DuranFan09" Hahahaa....
p.s.: duran duran were okay, certainly not shit - but Japan were waaaaay better.
@DuranFan09 DD were good when they started and slowly became garbage when they achieved fame. I can't even stand anything they did after their second album. They used to be very good early on and then by 1983 their stage show became awful with multiple backup singers/band. They're a band that could of been truly awesome had they not became so commercial and geared toward teen girls. That's the story of a lot of bands though- give them some fame and money and they don't try anymore.
@paintedship That's a fair statement and I agree that Duran Duran's third album was the start of their decline to some extent, although "Notorious" (the fourth album) had some good tracks on it. You should check out their new album "All You Need Is Now", it's a return-to-roots album and for once it lives up to that promise. It's very 80s and has plenty of tracks which sound like their first two albums. But it doesn't sound like Japan, in case the hardcore "Japanies" are sharpening their axes...
@DuranFan09 And can I just add that in all fairness, I adore the music of Japan just as much as I do Duran Duran. I acknowledge that Duran Duran were clearly inspired by Japan's music, but both produced some really amazing songs and made the 80s that bit more special. And whilst Duran Duran continue to make great music today, it's just a shame that Japan aren't around to do the same. "Quiet Life" is definitely up there with the greatest songs of all time, I love listening to it.
@DuranFan09 I have listened to some of it and it is an improvement over RCM, Astronaut etc. I still find it hard to compare to the early stuff because Simon's voice is different (it's higher sounding to me) Japan will never be back again because of Sylvian. I'm sure the others would of continued it if it weren't for him.
@JohnoEAL - you're talking total bollocks if you think Spandau we're better than Duran. I do like all three bands but Spandau we're much looser. Steve Jansen and Roger Taylor are both great drummers. Unfortunately, John Keeble was not - he was adequate at best. The same has to be said of Mick Karn and John Taylor. They are both great bass players, although different in style. Martin Kemp is ok but not not in the same same league. Duaran and Japan we're both very creative.
@JohnoEAL - you're talking total bollocks if you think Spandau we're better than Duran. I do like all three bands but Spandau we're much looser. Steve Jansen and Roger Taylor are both great drummers. Unfortunately, John Keeble was not - he was adequate at best. The same has to be said of Mick Karn and John Taylor. They are both great bass players, although different in style. Martin Kemp is ok but not in the same league. Duaran and Japan we're both very creative.
@JohnoEAL It's weird hearing that Japan weren't radio friendly because their songs from the debut album all the way up to the Gentlemen Take Polaroids album all have a lot of poppy songs on them, not lame, just poppy, including this song! I mean if Japan weren't radio friendly at all, then where would Duran Duran get their sound from to make it as big as they did?
@JohnoEAL Duran Duran were the and still are the best band of the 80s. Japan were a non competiitive failed commerical short lived band that imitated roxy music. this is a rip off of avalon...duran duran had more than roxy music to imitate. and still going around the world...japan are...dead.
"gregingram1970" - Sorry, I think I misread: did you actually say this song is a ripoff of AVALON??? Avalon, the BALLAD?? Have you even heard Avalon???
As for this: "duran duran had more than roxy music to imitate. and still going around the world...japan are...dead." Right. So Japan aren't as good as DD because this song is supposedly ripped off AVALON (wtf?) & they split up, while DD didn't? Guess that means DD are also better than Zeppelin, The Beatles etc., as all those bands are...dead.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
@JohnoEAL Duran Duran might in some eyes the most over rated band of the 80s but in most peoples eyes they were the most successfull, the best and had the most indellable impact on their memories...Think 80s - think who comes to mind Japan (not) or Duran Duran (of course). Duran Duran owend the decade and provided most of the best tracks of the first 6 years of it that rival anything in the history of modern music.
"gregingram1970" - Okay, so you've gone from DD were the "best band of the 80s" because DD are "still going around the world", & now changed completely to DD were the best band of the 80s because: "Think 80s - think who comes to mind Japan (not) or Duran Duran (of course)"...
How about this: "Think 80s - think who comes to mind, Duran Duran (not) or MICHAEL JACKSON/MADONNA/PRINCE (of course!)"
@JohnoEAL i havent gone any where? I belive duran duran were one of the best 80s bands. Its not a science because its arguement comparing music. You might notice this. when i think of michael jackson (young children in his bedroom Yes) and Madonna (dirty woman who used sex to sell her self Yes) they were both excellent. Indeed, if we are thinking 80s music we are thinking the Music video era Duran Duran owend it. I would all these artists are in Mega Successful unlike Japan.
"gregingram1970" - SEE?!!! Now you've jumped to a different area again! MUSIC VIDEOS. "if we are thinking 80s music we are thinking the Music video era Duran Duran owend it." REALLY? Intriguing, given I can't think of one ICONIC Duran Duran video - you know, like Thriller, Billie Jean, Beat It etc.; all critically-acclaimed well-known ICONIC music videos, that everyone on earth would instantly recognise. How many people could describe a single DD video? You're clearly a Duran Duran worshipper.
@JohnoEAL HI there JohnoEAL>...very pectulari name for a weird person! LOL...
let me address your point of view: if you had to do a poll on the most popular and most inspiring bands./artists of the 1980s without doubt duran duran will be there around the top of the list.
Let me add, the video for Rio was according to AOL "the most iconic video of all time". I think that based on millions of online voters chose this it would leave your statment invalide. LOL.
@JohnoEAL carrying on from earlier...Michael Jackson was a legend. He was in videos that were magnificent. In saying this i still wonder whether his innappropriate behaviours towards minors (and bubbles) over shadow his musical legacy...??? LOL.
IN addtion my friend, Duran Duran were the 1st band to use film-makers to promote their singles. This precedes MJ Thriller of 1983 by at least 2 years. There is your other point sqashed...
@VinceWalk666 HI and thanks for the support. I feel like Im the 'get the facts right police' and I serve on behalf of truth and accuracy and shoot down liars and propagaters of mythology and lies. Long live duran duran.
"gregingram1970" - Man you really do live in your own little magical world don't you??? You shifted topic THREE SEPARATE TIMES when I repeatedly squashed your bullshit arguments. I demonstrated this above. This is the archetypal act of a COWARD.
@JohnoEAL I have owned you every time. I have destroyed your arguments with effortless ease, i have exposed you as having the widest arsehole on youtube and moreover, I have established to the world that your neighbours ginger cat actually enters your dungpipe, sleeps for 2 days, feeds and shits, and then leaves your asshole and you dont even notice coz its been obliterated so often with big thick rubber cocks that your boyfriend keeps in your drawer coz his is simply inadequate. .
@JohnoEAL i aint running from your argument. I addressed every one. You must learn to read and negotiate. In saying that, YOU are a thick cunt and donw know when your quashed and owned.
I own you. Long live duran duran you spazzy bastard.
"gregingram1970" - WOW! What truly academic & scholarly pieces of intellectual dialogue those three posts were. I am simply stunned by potent reasoning such as "LOL LOL LOL...im having super-fun at your crazy comments. Get it up your dungpipe." You are my hero.
Yet again, you brought up precisely ZERO points in those 3 absolutely childish wankfest posts - how long did you masturbate after typing them?
I was born in 1994 so I never knew this song up until a few years ago when my dad (a huge 80's music fan) gave me a Japan cassette, a walkman and a pair of old headphones. I love this song as much as I did when I first heard it back then.
@76BLADERUNNER GTA had this? I don't believe it! Japan barely hit the USA at all so how did they ever get to know about Quiet Life to put it into a video game? UNLESS GTA was created and manufactured in Japan (the country)!
@jrmetmoi im not even lying dude trust me i heard it on the game i cant argue with that lol. and yeah probably so if they manufactured and made the game there in that country.
John Punter's production/engineering skills are all over this....great stuff!
My wife and I were spinning my pristine UK vinyl pressing over the weekend. After playing this LP we went on a Punter vinyl frenzy...Roxy Music, Kevin Ayers, The Spoons, Camel, Pseudo Echo, Procol Harum, ect. The man is a genius :)
Thanks for uploading!
drprogensteinphp 4 days ago
being an 80s teenagers myself, i did like duran duran , japan , spandau ballet TFF , DM etc... but to say duran duran were the best band of the 80s is pushing it somewhat. Their music was nothing more than average and they have failed to evolve into anything of any substance or significance...,Japan made 2 mediocre albums never really hit the heights in the songwriting stakes but this is a good track all the same...due to GM in the main...ps Depeche mode are lightyears better than both...
denizen1234 6 days ago
duran japan love em both, prefer japan tho
zimmer999t 1 week ago
R.I.P. Mick Karn Unforghettable bassist of Japan, Dali's Car and other bands
oscar15871 1 week ago
Can't believe some of the comments on here. You guys make me ashamed to be a Duran Duran fan. I suspect you're firmly in the 'deluded' Duran Duran fan camp, to the point where you think that they can do no wrong and that there is no better band in the world. Stop being idiots and give Japan the credit they deserve, they were equally as good.
DuranFan09 3 weeks ago
こんなアーティストがいたのか
！
feokffoeapf 3 weeks ago
Vice City Stories
83RebelRanger 1 month ago
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Mick Karn. I saw this great bass player playing with Japan at the Hammersmith Odeon. He tripped over the cables on stage and laughed. A prodigy for all fretless great bass players. Bill Nelson rated him and that is all I have to say. RIP Mick.
spartacusvikinga 1 month ago
Only 59.000 views , people don't know what they are missing with this masterpiece !
Better than anything Duran Duran ever done !
trickykid73 1 month ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@trickykid73 inronically, you mention stats and i think duran duran have at least 1 song with this very low numver of stats. in saying that oridiary world, come undone, girl painic, rio, hungry like the wolf, the reflex, save a prayer, wild boys, planet earth, girls on film come to a combined 94 million views.I think the voting public opinion out think you some way my dear chicken pie...nobody except closet gays and people trapped in 1982 in their mind would actually watch this shit
gregingram1970 1 month ago
@gregingram1970 so why are you watching this then , cock sucker !!!
trickykid73 1 month ago
@trickykid73 hi tricky kid 73...i am thinking you are born in 73 yet refer to yourself as a kid? this is interesting as you would probably be around 39. This leads me to believe you have issues with your age and your level of maturity? I think based on this evidence, you are probably a child porn watcher and lover of underage kids who you visualise molesting. I can tell your a deviant
PS i dont suck cock as im not gay.
I dont actually watch this video. Butt have fun with retards
gregingram1970 1 month ago
@gregingram1970 Act your age troll !!!,and dont reply as you are making a fool of yourself , but i do wish you was here right now as i would jump start your fucking head .... so please die in pain ...soon , and i hope your parents die in a freak yachting boat accident :) xxx.....cunt
trickykid73 1 month ago
@trickykid73 HI trickycunt...73
LOL at your offensive comments! I like you!! YOu made me LOL for about 4 seconds!! I would prefer not to die in a painful way but i will seriously try to achieve this and let you know. I have a friend who is a medium and i have instruted them to communicate with you psychically to inform you of my terrible fate, should this happen. Is that ok with you?
but til this happens, I am going to be a pain in your mind. I know you love abusing kids.
gregingram1970 1 month ago
@trickykid73 I love the txt style smiles and xxx's at the end of your message. it also suggests an age of around 14. Its not only on your name its in the way you write! infact, i bet you are a child killer. I hope the makers of CSI see this post and act on it. They would raid your house and find kid porn and dead bodies im sure.
LOL at kid texting message !!!! super-funny.
gregingram1970 1 month ago
@gregingram1970 If they raid his house they will find him amidst his own fluids while "mama" brews up some bean soup. Stupid bastard doesn't know if he's on land or sea
VinceWalk666 1 month ago
@VinceWalk666 LOL well said...the guy is a davy sylvian wanking machine...LOL
gregingram1970 4 weeks ago
@trickykid73 Shut the fuck up and stop braying all over the page like a retarded donkey. You sound like someone who was grown in a lab as opposed to actually living on earth. Wait till you get past puberty and then see how you feel. If the hormone replacement works of course. Now shave your neck. Bitch
And par lay lar . . . "yachting boat accident"?
Are you trying to quote Blackadder? I suggest you get it right if you are.
Drop the word boat you thick cunt.
VinceWalk666 1 month ago
One of the most underrated bands of the era. Lower profile but great music.
petrolhead1960 1 month ago
This is the song I've heard first from Japan in 1988. I fell in love with this music in that moment, and this love is as strong as then even today in 2011.
x3dgime 2 months ago
classique...:) i just love Sylvian. can't fault this track at all long live the 80s!!
MissMadchester 3 months ago
grande, grandissimo david sylvian !!!!! amazing and great band!!!! I was only 15... Kisses from rome!
jaradia 3 months ago in playlist YouTube Mix for Japan
Whichever way Sylvian turns there's a fuckin boss bassist in front of him
pigyob 4 months ago
All time classic record, miles ahead of its time, go the 80's, superb!!!!
cole41000 4 months ago
beautiful david.
futuristfood 4 months ago
Amazing band way ahead of so many also ran groups at the time. RIP Mick you were a genius bassist!
edgroove7 4 months ago
Great song (esp Mick Kahn's (?) bass playing. Always thought, though, that Sylvian was trying a little too hard to sing like Bryan Ferry & look like David Bowie..... & if you're gonna emulate anyone - they're not a bad pair to choose [:o)
DomW63 5 months ago
what a band. way ahead of their time. and that bass.
SUPAALBION 5 months ago
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mihashimichiyafan 5 months ago
I first fell in love with Gentlemen Take Polaroids then discovered this gem after that. Japan is an amazing band.
deepdroner 6 months ago
This is what an 80's song should sound like!
Brecconable 6 months ago 2
Amazing band!
brennieb64 6 months ago
The best band by far of the synth revo of the eighties,,,,,,I love Japan......and (mad) Dave
bodthetim 6 months ago
david slyvian, what a voice and what a performer, love this track one of the best japan ever did
qooq88 7 months ago
R.I.P. Mick Karn sadly missed but the sound lives on respect
antkriss13 7 months ago
i love the synth in this track and everything else. and the bass. wow!
SUPAALBION 7 months ago
although japan were undeniebly talented i wouldnt say they were completely original.David did an excellent job in sounding like Brian ferry and the band a little bit roxy, who incidently were around a good ten years before japan.
TheEx3rgj 8 months ago
Japan were original, completely original, but they took their inspiration in their early days as well. You can't knock Duran Duran, a very talented five piece. They were aware of what was going around them but they went to another level (more commercial, polished level). It's like comparing Athletic Bilbao to Barcelona in football terms.
LFMCF2 8 months ago 5
Classic track and what bass playing!
TheYomanda 8 months ago
love, love, love this song. the change in sound at 3:00 is amazing and truly ingenious.
dabellful 8 months ago
TOTAL JOY............
littlenige 9 months ago
This is the Jah Head...
whatsonelement 9 months ago
excellent New Wave !
mobyboy 9 months ago
R.I.P. Mick Karn.
LivinWorstNightmare 9 months ago 3
This is the first single I bought as a teenager when I moved countries and schools. It was a brilliant record back in 1981 and it's still bloody brilliant now! Japan were a fantastic group who, though successful, never made it quite as big as they should have. Not that it matters. Their music stands the test of time and that's the biggest test of all. Thanks for posting this track!!!
vonkvetch 10 months ago
Japan were well ahead of their time and Mick Karn was an astonishing talent and fashion wise was the most aventguard person on the planet in the early 80s.
leemouse 10 months ago 2
Just watched the BBC series 'The British At Work' reaching episode 3 and the 1980's-year of the hated yuppie and decade of me, me, me. Anyway at the beginning there is this tune and I just couldn't remember who sang it-now this has put me out of my misery-this is also on The Best of Electric Pt2 CD.
kg142 11 months ago
Something which seems to have been totally overlooked is the fact that this song (and indeed "Planet Earth" by Duran Duran) sounds just like "The Chase" by Giorgio Moroder (the theme from the film "Midnight Express") which was recorded at the end of 1977 (before Japan or Duran Duran had even appeared on the scene). And who produced "Quiet Life"? Giorgio Moroder. The main synth/sequencer on this song was actually played by Moroder himself and not Japan keyboardist Richard Barbieri.
DuranFan09 1 year ago
@DuranFan09 Giorgio Moroder didn't produce Japan's 'Quiet Life', where did you get that info from? Actually he was way too busy in working with Donna Summer and doin' a profitable solo career. Nobody's denying Moroder's contribution to music, but still I agree with the guy who has commented that Japan and others are a part of a league of their own. Also I think Duran Duran is one of the most overrated bands in rock and pop history -I like it very much tough.
MechaGojira00 1 year ago 2
@MechaGojira00 I actually got the information from an interview with Giorgio Moroder that I was reading last year. He claims to have produced 'Quiet Life' and said that he played the arpeggiator synth on the song (but remaining uncredited in the sleeve notes etc). Sorry if this is wrong, but it does come from the horse's mouse, unless he was just bullshitting for whatever reason...
DuranFan09 8 months ago
@DuranFan09 You will find that it was the song ' Life in Tokyo' that Giorgio Moroder was involved with and no more. When David Sylvian and their manager Simon Napier Bell went to meet Mr Moroder they listened to a number of tracks and and Big bad Sylv picked the worst sounding as he knew Mr Moroder would have no objection in the track being totally re-invented. So your posting on here is ill informed and basically shit my friend. As for "The Chase" by G Moroder, his take was from Kraftwerk
irishcowboy42 10 months ago
@irishcowboy42 Well done on your comments. I stated some time ago that giorgio moroder had influenced this track. You can here this and donna summers I feel Love as being very similar and of course this track was out 3 years later. Japan are not original and certainly died nearly 30 years ago. duran duran on the other hand, flourished and evolved and were creatively and commerically much more successful. No contest.
gregingram1970 1 month ago
@gregingram1970 Japan were not original? Listen to 'Tin Drum' friend and hear the production that still stands the test of time. As much as i respect DD's success their music in my humble opinion was nothing short of girly pop and quite banal to listen to and how exactly did they flourish and evolve when 20 years later they were still using the same techniques. As for your 'no contest' you got that right but amusingly the wrong way around. As i stated already just my humble opinion .
irishcowboy42 1 month ago
@irishcowboy42 HI...and interesting opinion you have. I doubt its a good one of course. Girly pop and duran duran? well i doubt if anyone seriously would accept that negative critique and so i wont dwell on it too long my friend LOL. I think you meant nearer 30 years later is what they used the original production technqiues to mimic what they their fans consider their best period - especially the RIo album. Of course duran duran and japan are a no contest. Japan died 30 years ago
gregingram1970 1 month ago
@irishcowboy42 TIn Drum was utter and astonishing shite. GTP and QL are the only albums of note. The pre-synth pop Japan was awful. I wouldnt listen to it. The post QL with exception of DS solo stuff in mid 80s was pish poor. In short my dear buddy, Japan had only 2 albums with some good tracks is what I give them. the rest of their work is bland and wishy-washy poor Kraftwerk-esque waflle...like non-harmonic and psuedo intellectual wanna-be well crafted Shakespearean pop music.
gregingram1970 1 month ago
@gregingram1970 Lol i won't entertain or try to convince.. be good friend
irishcowboy42 1 month ago
@irishcowboy42 haha Brilliant my irish friend...top of the morning to ya! nothing like a bit of internet-scrambling.
ps westlife and boyzone are pish poor and talentless...but i bet they pumped more women than me, sadly.
gregingram1970 1 month ago
Love Japan from JAPAN!!! My friend has made some music with Mick Khan. RIP.
Gekko3600 1 year ago
Comment removed
Gekko3600 1 year ago
1981
MrDayday58 1 year ago
@MrDayday58 No actually Quiet Life album is 1979/80.
ariesscorpiorising 11 months ago
stokie1999999 1 year ago
I am so glad I discovered Japan. Such amazing talent.
johnlovesbridge 1 year ago
"shitunot" - Bloody oath son! RTC was also utterly brilliant!
JohnoEAL 1 year ago 4
synth bass is great and it rolls troughout the tune so beautifully givin it the electronic feel Giorgio Moroder style
LatinPercussion 1 year ago
this song STILL rules! Thanks for posting!
vealshanker 1 year ago
@hopki65 No they were NOT just as good. Japan were a MILLION times better than any of those other guffters!!! HA!! ;P
ariesscorpiorising 1 year ago 16
"ariesscorpiorising" - Duran Duran were one of the most overrated bands of the 80s... DM & Spandau were great (I saw Spandau live just 6 months ago in fact & they were INCREDIBLE), but David Sylvian's in a league all his own, always has been... Japan never got the credit they deserved because they were nowhere near as radio-friendly as the rest. But they were still in another fucking league altogether.
JohnoEAL 1 year ago 34
@JohnoEAL Japan were very good but they certainly were not *better* than Duran Duran. They are both on par as far as I'm concerned. People are only hating because Duran drew a lot of their inspiration from Japan. You can hardly point the finger at Duran in this day and age where 80% of musicians have copied other people's work in some shape or form, intentionally or not.
As for Spandau Ballet... sorry, not my cup of tea. Martin Kemp seems more intent on doing awful period dramas on ITV1.
DuranFan09 1 year ago
"DuranFan09" - Heheheheh, yeah Martin Kemp is a bit of a twat - but Hadley is a GOD! Man his voice was just indescribably brilliant 6 months ago!! He's lost nothing!
As for your duran duran comments - I'm so sure they were utterly impartial, Mr/Ms "DuranFan09" Hahahaa....
p.s.: duran duran were okay, certainly not shit - but Japan were waaaaay better.
JohnoEAL 1 year ago
@DuranFan09 DD were good when they started and slowly became garbage when they achieved fame. I can't even stand anything they did after their second album. They used to be very good early on and then by 1983 their stage show became awful with multiple backup singers/band. They're a band that could of been truly awesome had they not became so commercial and geared toward teen girls. That's the story of a lot of bands though- give them some fame and money and they don't try anymore.
paintedship 1 year ago 3
@paintedship That's a fair statement and I agree that Duran Duran's third album was the start of their decline to some extent, although "Notorious" (the fourth album) had some good tracks on it. You should check out their new album "All You Need Is Now", it's a return-to-roots album and for once it lives up to that promise. It's very 80s and has plenty of tracks which sound like their first two albums. But it doesn't sound like Japan, in case the hardcore "Japanies" are sharpening their axes...
DuranFan09 1 year ago
@DuranFan09 And can I just add that in all fairness, I adore the music of Japan just as much as I do Duran Duran. I acknowledge that Duran Duran were clearly inspired by Japan's music, but both produced some really amazing songs and made the 80s that bit more special. And whilst Duran Duran continue to make great music today, it's just a shame that Japan aren't around to do the same. "Quiet Life" is definitely up there with the greatest songs of all time, I love listening to it.
DuranFan09 1 year ago
@DuranFan09 I have listened to some of it and it is an improvement over RCM, Astronaut etc. I still find it hard to compare to the early stuff because Simon's voice is different (it's higher sounding to me) Japan will never be back again because of Sylvian. I'm sure the others would of continued it if it weren't for him.
paintedship 1 year ago
@DuranFan09 I like the way you stated... inspiration. Backin the golden decade it was about respect and inspiration unlike today's copy-paste system.
TheFallToRise 9 months ago
@JohnoEAL ok, spandau's awesome, and dm is literally one of my favorite bands ever. however, i do love duran duran as well.
markopolo9608 1 year ago
@JohnoEAL Right on, soo true! These guys are original.
bennettdrew 1 year ago
@JohnoEAL - you're talking total bollocks if you think Spandau we're better than Duran. I do like all three bands but Spandau we're much looser. Steve Jansen and Roger Taylor are both great drummers. Unfortunately, John Keeble was not - he was adequate at best. The same has to be said of Mick Karn and John Taylor. They are both great bass players, although different in style. Martin Kemp is ok but not not in the same same league. Duaran and Japan we're both very creative.
HannuMikkola 1 year ago 3
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@JohnoEAL - you're talking total bollocks if you think Spandau we're better than Duran. I do like all three bands but Spandau we're much looser. Steve Jansen and Roger Taylor are both great drummers. Unfortunately, John Keeble was not - he was adequate at best. The same has to be said of Mick Karn and John Taylor. They are both great bass players, although different in style. Martin Kemp is ok but not in the same league. Duaran and Japan we're both very creative.
HannuMikkola 1 year ago
@JohnoEAL It's weird hearing that Japan weren't radio friendly because their songs from the debut album all the way up to the Gentlemen Take Polaroids album all have a lot of poppy songs on them, not lame, just poppy, including this song! I mean if Japan weren't radio friendly at all, then where would Duran Duran get their sound from to make it as big as they did?
jrmetmoi 9 months ago
@JohnoEAL I fuckin agree!!!
freddie7210 7 months ago
@JohnoEAL Duran Duran were the and still are the best band of the 80s. Japan were a non competiitive failed commerical short lived band that imitated roxy music. this is a rip off of avalon...duran duran had more than roxy music to imitate. and still going around the world...japan are...dead.
gregingram1970 1 month ago
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"gregingram1970" - Sorry, I think I misread: did you actually say this song is a ripoff of AVALON??? Avalon, the BALLAD?? Have you even heard Avalon???
As for this: "duran duran had more than roxy music to imitate. and still going around the world...japan are...dead." Right. So Japan aren't as good as DD because this song is supposedly ripped off AVALON (wtf?) & they split up, while DD didn't? Guess that means DD are also better than Zeppelin, The Beatles etc., as all those bands are...dead.
JohnoEAL 1 month ago 4
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@JohnoEAL Duran Duran might in some eyes the most over rated band of the 80s but in most peoples eyes they were the most successfull, the best and had the most indellable impact on their memories...Think 80s - think who comes to mind Japan (not) or Duran Duran (of course). Duran Duran owend the decade and provided most of the best tracks of the first 6 years of it that rival anything in the history of modern music.
gregingram1970 1 month ago
"gregingram1970" - Okay, so you've gone from DD were the "best band of the 80s" because DD are "still going around the world", & now changed completely to DD were the best band of the 80s because: "Think 80s - think who comes to mind Japan (not) or Duran Duran (of course)"...
How about this: "Think 80s - think who comes to mind, Duran Duran (not) or MICHAEL JACKSON/MADONNA/PRINCE (of course!)"
The prosecution rests.
JohnoEAL 1 month ago
@JohnoEAL i havent gone any where? I belive duran duran were one of the best 80s bands. Its not a science because its arguement comparing music. You might notice this. when i think of michael jackson (young children in his bedroom Yes) and Madonna (dirty woman who used sex to sell her self Yes) they were both excellent. Indeed, if we are thinking 80s music we are thinking the Music video era Duran Duran owend it. I would all these artists are in Mega Successful unlike Japan.
gregingram1970 1 month ago
"gregingram1970" - SEE?!!! Now you've jumped to a different area again! MUSIC VIDEOS. "if we are thinking 80s music we are thinking the Music video era Duran Duran owend it." REALLY? Intriguing, given I can't think of one ICONIC Duran Duran video - you know, like Thriller, Billie Jean, Beat It etc.; all critically-acclaimed well-known ICONIC music videos, that everyone on earth would instantly recognise. How many people could describe a single DD video? You're clearly a Duran Duran worshipper.
JohnoEAL 1 month ago 2
@JohnoEAL HI there JohnoEAL>...very pectulari name for a weird person! LOL...
let me address your point of view: if you had to do a poll on the most popular and most inspiring bands./artists of the 1980s without doubt duran duran will be there around the top of the list.
Let me add, the video for Rio was according to AOL "the most iconic video of all time". I think that based on millions of online voters chose this it would leave your statment invalide. LOL.
I will finish point ..
gregingram1970 1 month ago
@JohnoEAL carrying on from earlier...Michael Jackson was a legend. He was in videos that were magnificent. In saying this i still wonder whether his innappropriate behaviours towards minors (and bubbles) over shadow his musical legacy...??? LOL.
IN addtion my friend, Duran Duran were the 1st band to use film-makers to promote their singles. This precedes MJ Thriller of 1983 by at least 2 years. There is your other point sqashed...
gregingram1970 1 month ago
@gregingram1970 Nice squashing Johno. Duran duran rule.
VinceWalk666 1 month ago
@VinceWalk666 HI and thanks for the support. I feel like Im the 'get the facts right police' and I serve on behalf of truth and accuracy and shoot down liars and propagaters of mythology and lies. Long live duran duran.
gregingram1970 1 month ago
"gregingram1970" - Man you really do live in your own little magical world don't you??? You shifted topic THREE SEPARATE TIMES when I repeatedly squashed your bullshit arguments. I demonstrated this above. This is the archetypal act of a COWARD.
Bye bye.
JohnoEAL 1 month ago
@JohnoEAL I have lots of areas to discuss and refer to you gaping assholed bag of donkey gizz LOL..
I am a coward? why is that? you are a thick retarded childish offensive nuisance and a serious troll while being a threat to the harmony of youtube.
LOL LOL LOL...im having super-fun at your crazy comments. Get it up your dungpipe.
gregingram1970 1 month ago
@JohnoEAL I have owned you every time. I have destroyed your arguments with effortless ease, i have exposed you as having the widest arsehole on youtube and moreover, I have established to the world that your neighbours ginger cat actually enters your dungpipe, sleeps for 2 days, feeds and shits, and then leaves your asshole and you dont even notice coz its been obliterated so often with big thick rubber cocks that your boyfriend keeps in your drawer coz his is simply inadequate. .
gregingram1970 1 month ago
@gregingram1970 thats the funniest putdown Ive ever read on here...pmfsl...still laughing,,hahahahahaha
The911fella 1 week ago in playlist Favorite videos
@JohnoEAL i aint running from your argument. I addressed every one. You must learn to read and negotiate. In saying that, YOU are a thick cunt and donw know when your quashed and owned.
I own you. Long live duran duran you spazzy bastard.
gregingram1970 1 month ago
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"gregingram1970" - WOW! What truly academic & scholarly pieces of intellectual dialogue those three posts were. I am simply stunned by potent reasoning such as "LOL LOL LOL...im having super-fun at your crazy comments. Get it up your dungpipe." You are my hero.
Yet again, you brought up precisely ZERO points in those 3 absolutely childish wankfest posts - how long did you masturbate after typing them?
FUCK
OFF
DURAN
DURAN
WORSHIPPING
LOSER
JohnoEAL 1 month ago
@JohnoEAL LOL at the most un-true statement in the history of un-true statements.
THis guy is what you could call a closet, plum sucking, arse-hole bandit with an obsession and fixation with the early 80s.
You thick, dumb sack of donkey gizz.
gregingram1970 1 month ago
KARN ON THE FUCKING BASS. HE TURNS IT SO WELL. ITS LIKE HES TAKING CORNERS ON OUTRUN!!!
waitingformusic 1 year ago 2
awesome track and the bass is just killer! i was born 81 so i kinda remember this when growing up and loving it as i got older :D
mrshef666 1 year ago 2
I was born in 1994 so I never knew this song up until a few years ago when my dad (a huge 80's music fan) gave me a Japan cassette, a walkman and a pair of old headphones. I love this song as much as I did when I first heard it back then.
waIIflower 1 year ago
Still love this track!
Yomanda666 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i heard this song on GTA:VICE CITY STORIES...the wave 103 fm,i think this is a good song since the beat is so catchy
76BLADERUNNER 2 years ago
@76BLADERUNNER GTA had this? I don't believe it! Japan barely hit the USA at all so how did they ever get to know about Quiet Life to put it into a video game? UNLESS GTA was created and manufactured in Japan (the country)!
jrmetmoi 9 months ago
@jrmetmoi im not even lying dude trust me i heard it on the game i cant argue with that lol. and yeah probably so if they manufactured and made the game there in that country.
Rockstar North,Rockstar Leeds,Rockstar games.
76BLADERUNNER 8 months ago