japan - life without buildings

[STRANGERINMOSCOW1]

I still love this song as much as I did back then. Maybe someone can answer something that's always puzzled me a little... the group was called Japan, there is defintitely a Japanese influence in their music, but then they have Mao Tse Tung on their album cover, some of their songs are about China eg. Cantonese Boy, Visions of China. I guess they were just very smitten with the orient in general. Anyway, one of the best groups of the eighties.

[skippbitman]

In light of the recent events in the far east the title of this track has new meaning.

[zane1961]

This sounds amazing !

[Clinchyesk]

I think this was one of Mick's favourate japan songs. JKB played it live at thr Astoria in the 90's. It was brilliant as Karn was right in front of me at the gig.Will always be in my memory.Mick you will never be forgoten.

[hiromiberg]

Mick,I'll never forget you.R.I.P.

[boabyp]

RIP Mick Karn.

[boardy777777]

great bass there mick get well soon pal

[futuristfood]

i have a blue flexi disc of this somewhere I thinks,.

[amfanmagician]

@futuristfood Me too. Each copy of Trouser Press magazine in the early 80's had a flexi discincluded. There was some great music on them.

[Artemis458]

a unique piece of music, genius

[hub1971]

got to agree. this is the most 'japan' japan tune. i basically built my entire bass style on this.

[triplettam]

@hub1971 Couldn't ask for a better inspiration.

[Zrourke]

Something that I can't forget... special music

[teletropolis]

JAPAN's music art are songs void of human domestic emotion. J believe song of love, breakup, lust & desire should be private. Nevertheless, J did cover few songs on love.

J's musical creation focus human's emotions expressing human relation & influences on the spiritual, rites, superstition, supernatural, culture, communion, politics, militarism, landscape & urbanization.

One of the best example is CANTON, TAKING ISLANDS, CANTONESE BOY.

It's now so 2009 & i'm so missing J.

JAPAN reunite!

[hub1971]

would be helpful if you spoke

alright teletropolis it's great that you appreciate japan but no-one has any idea what you're on about X

[teletropolis]

I confess, it took me years to admit it is the art of MICK KARN which gave JAPAN the distinctive musical creative soul,

The distinctive spiritual gothic asean tribal tune is mainly Karn's creation.

When Sylvian venture solo, sadly that much loved gothic asean tribal tune is missing.

But Karn's solo projects continue to create that distinctive JAPAN's tribal feel is apparent. Check out DaLis Car project. Is so JAPAN.

[mintwithahole]

What makes me laugh is when Sylvian says that he can't bear to listen to any of the Japan songs... Japans music is miles better than anything he has brought out as a solo artist.

[teletropolis]

mint, reluctantly i agreed with u, Sylvian's solo projects from 2000 onwards was a disappointment in some ways. Nevertheless. Sylvian's art is beyond apprehension.

The much under-rated genius of Mick Karn should be focus instead. I believe Karn's solo projects remain faithful to the JAPAN roots.

[erictapeworm]

I've always considered this song to be the epitome of the later Japan sound. Wierd and wonderful.

[hub1971]

eric you're spot on mate. this is japan in a nutshell. i remember a car drove past me when i was on my home from school in '82 and this was blaring out. soon after i heard 'forbidden colours' for the first time and that was it; i've been a fan ever since. i was 9.

[Annamandabella]

I used to think China Crisis was the coolest, these guys are new contenders even though the cover of Tin Drum is ominous. This song is soooooooooooooooooo I cant explain.

[psychicdelic]

I used to think this song was 'beyond cool' - I used to listen to it on my yellow Sony Walkman as I walked to school. I just couldn't believe anyone could be as cool as David Sylvian. Except David Bowie, obviously.

[sylvianblue]

You are a scholar and a gentleman in your musical taste. Yellow Sony.....mine was silver. I too, thought I was so cool loving Japan when other friends had almost (unbelieveably) never heard of them (yes, this was the 80´s!). I like to think that the coolness still prevails, but being 41 I´m probably just deluding myself. Is it still cool to love Japan and Sylvian?...almost certainly!!

[psychicdelic]

Thanks 'sylvianblue' - yes, it is more than cool to love Japan and Sylvian. Why do you think the '80s are more in fashion than ever? The '80s were the BEST time ever. The music, the fashion - so much fun. No one looked as cool as David Bowie, Bryan Ferry and David Sylvian. They could were eyeliner without looking like it was 'wearing' them.

[sylvianfripp]

So how I felt!!

[steinber]

wow. nice job! i had the vinyl back when and this song blew my head off then and now.

[HumanJarv]

This is one of my favourites. So hard to obtain, had to get a friend to download it for me :P

[hardiestgirl2012]

Japan Forever!

Thanks for sharing

Awesome SONG!!!!!

Nabi

oxoxo

[FLORENT2222]

Japan's B-sides are much better than so many today's A-sides  !!!

Japan for ever !!!!!!!!!

[mtonyc]

I couldn't agree more!

[soyas100]

jsut champion man, great this.

[shum65]

Amazing video ghosts...it really works well

to this fab track,not one I,ve heard before.

Always loved the class sound of Japan!!

And their image was brilliant...

Sylvian's voice is so smooth....!!!

Did you check out the man himself on his

channel???

[ModestoMuniz]

what a fantastic song...one of the favourite Sylvian´s songs from Japan era I think....

[mizyama]

respect you!

gohgo!

[ghostsonatasong]

respect also goes out to you,

mizzy!