Yes, I was there. This was 1980 (March I think) at the 'Venue' in London. I still have the enormous yellow Ticket Stub. I remember we were sitting at funny little tables being very European/Bohemian/Arty-Farty, nodding our heads the way well behaved New Romantics are supposed to, whilst doing our best to show off our cheekbones.. They were good live though don't doubt it. Saw them again at the 'Lyceum' I think. I liked their previous album 'Obscure Alternatives' a metal/reggae hybrid.
shame about mick karn rip. i always hoped they might reform again some day but i know they are far to cool to be a part of any 70s80s milking revival scenes.maybe the coolest band ever and now they will stay that way.
Like you I hoped there would be another project after Raintree Crow but alas it wont happen now, perhaps as you say its good in a way because the soundscapes produced by Mick Karn and David Sylvian back in the day was always the coolest and now it will remain that way . Mick Karn and David Sylvian despite their differences, geniuses both! RIP Mick.
R.I.P. Mr. Khan. I met him in studio many years ago, Asked him if he'd ever release Dalis Cars as an instrumental album because I didn't care for the vocalist much but loved the music. He humbly said "The album is what is is" He was right, It remains one of the most influential albums in my collection and as a bass player made me realize that Music will always be bigger that the instrument you play... A True Artist.
Great song...great band...and a particularly great bassist - always made their songs stand out. Very sad to hear of the passing of Mick. If the man upstairs needed a smooth and unique sound for his choir...then he's got one now! RIP...
@Oldschool7166 I second this. Duran has named Japan as one of their major influences. Thank you Mick for helping inspire Duran whom I love dearly. RIP see you on the other side.
Japan, The Human League, Ultravox and many other groups of the time where to play a major influence in the Techno sound and producers in Detroit which was to follow later in the decade that was the 1980s. This music is and always shall be a part of the history of Electronica.
I was there when this was new, drove my parents nuts playing it. Someone mentioned the 80s being shit, well, in a way they were, parts of them, but I still loved them, specially' the first half. It was a cool time, in a paradoxical way, life was more modern almost 30 years ago.
@freethoughtmusic - you are so right... 80s music being shit?!?! what jackoff idiot said that? compared to that XER0X hip-hop candy@ss garbage the 80s look like a Renaissance period.
Japan was pretty cool - although Sylvian was copyin' Bowie and Roxy Music-- his ideas were still plenty creative.
Most of the little dweebs that talk smack on here weren't even a cumstain on their mommas panties when this material was first released.
Look at Sylvian's hair, notice how the "Emo's" of today have adopted a VERy similar style.
Thing is, for me, I was there in the 80's, 17 in 1984, - it was SHIT in the UK and I dunno why anyone would wanna hark back to those days. I could post a SERIOUS tirade based on politics and similarities between then and now etc. but I won't - it was just SHIT!!
@crichton13 this shit was very real. u dont' have anybody to resemble this band nowadays even if you wanted to they were very real. and if you are going to have anything close to this. dream on.
I was never a fan of the new romantic movement per se, and it has only a few musical high points, but this is definitely one of them. Top drawer synth-pop, it stands the test of time extremely well. I didn't remember Mr Sylvian's hair resembling Princess Di to that extent though. Blimey !
Not really following the comments here but Japan in the 70s is funky to follow. Adolescent Sex is all hair and glam, and a pretty good track (and what was up with the Barbara Streisand cover Rain on My Parade?). I like to think Gentlemen Take Polaroids is when they focused, then got interested in Asian music and the sound became their own. Tin Drum is a classic for me. And then Sylvian's solo work, which I still think is excellent.
BOLAN started it; GLITTER perfected it; BOWIE & ROXY took it to the late Seventies; JAPAN distilled it down into the perfect (enough) single: "Quiet Life" & then it was done!
Duran Duran had a GREAT record in their first, but the fact remains; although the end of the track is cheesey, Quiet Life stands for all time as one unbeatable piece of New Wave/Synthpop; an incredible hefty chunk of plastic, like no other.
One of my ALL time favourite bands of with i have a facebook page dedicated to them,callled Japan obviously look it up.Creator goes by the name of Gillian.Why do you never ever see them on any 80's music programmes??FAIL!!!
japan were the geezers before duran duran whom modelled themselves off japan then stole the fire. by then sylvian gave it up and did one. both great i thought and still love listening to them both. what happened, they say time moved on, really. into shite. except but a few. no one can express themselves for people like x-factor and people who rob grannies. its frightening isnt it. its norm i know. sad!!!!.
I was a new Romantic back in the 80s, wearing all that frilly stuff and bowie trousers lol,but i still loved ,this music, and still do to this day, were did all that time go?. Rock on.Then i got married, had kids, went bald and now its all history, lololololololol
lol....happened to all us Japan fans. But you can still enjoy Sylvian, hair or not. His Secrets of the Beehive is just beautiful. His more recent work is painfully quiet, though.
My god, I was OBSESSED with David Sylvian when I was in my early teens. Played their albums so many times, my mother threatened to confiscate them. Now just sounds like a Bryan Ferry rip off. Ah, lost youth!!
one of glam-rock's best bands. If you liked this music genre you were either an outsider or felt like one. Or am I wrong? Let me know. Who chooses to be normal anyway?
@34tgroan . well for me,I can agree with you.where I live you were definitely an "outcast" you could hear a pin drop when I stepped into a nightclub/bar,I got into all sorts of trouble.I don't know why,but,for some reason the "Neanderthals" assumed because I was all glammed-up that I was some kind of easy target,well those thugs had a shock,I was taught from an early age on how to box .I don't condone violence,but you've got to defend yourself from ignoramuses. Excuse the rant ;-)..
@owlru don't :) I had that type of treatment in crappy Milton Keynes years ago when I used to go out to a crap pub dive called the Pilgrims Bottle (1986-1987), stupid wankers used to pick fights with everyone dumb Neanderthal wankers and I had a few fights up the City Centre too, won most of my fights lost one and I had a shit """""""friend""""""""" I used to hang about with that got me into shit at a school disco at a former school, most of them thought "one punch and this black poof will hit
the deck" they got a shock when it ended up being them but I got shit at the pub about 20 football fan wankers started on me and this punk and the fucking pigs arressted me?????!!!!! I know why though I was pretty wierded up that night to go to Camden Palace otherwise I wouldn't have even gone near that place well the coach didn't turn up , still that left a mark I hate going to pleb pubs or clubs I like to go to way out Futurists, Gothic, or Electronic clubs I feel much safer in those places
Japan is amazing and who gives a shit about their sexuality!! Good music is good music period! Duran Duran really were influenced by these guys you totally hear it!
Why does sexuality always have to enter on artist abilities. If they are good and you like them can't that be enough!! The 80's was definitely a great era for music that will live on many generations from now. Judge it based on it's artistic merits, not who is shaggin who....
@FrancoDamn seriously? I only hear the Japan influence on the first Duran Duran album, including the rest of their albums is stretching it a bit although "Tiger Tiger" does sound a lot like something off Tin Drum but that's about it.
@koalacatcher For example i heard "Art of Parties" and it have the "happy" feeling of "Notorious". "Art" was a very pop song in an experimental new wave album.
@333Chrome ....japan,human league.thomas dolby,visage..etc.....were "avantgarde" as u put it....... but when it was a popular scene and they were in the charts,their music was polished...for pop..... i mean look at "being boiled"..early stuff...raw and bit gritty............money sells ppl out.....
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As a bloke dont tell me you werent seduced by david and his slightly trans gender style music and 80s trendsetting . Totally unique and although made me question my sexuality for a while has a real special place with me i realise now when that other eighties band said "were lost in music" exactly what they meant . like a signpost a special moment or a life changeing experience i will always remember japan and their sexy somehow spiritual music
@acefreaky David and the whole band are definately cool, but never made me, or most other straight male fans of Japan question their sexuality. You are a latent bum shunt. This is an issue which you will have to accept about yourself, and something which you should not presume of others. Take it easy!! ;)
saw them live a few times, it was a shame they didnt make a few more albums, but I can treasure the ones they did make, it was an amazing time to live tru, met David on his 08 solo tour,
I think Japan (David Sylvian) were influenced by Roxy Music,but obviously had their own unique sound & Image..shame they split :-(..many rumours about this,but I think David S wanted to go solo ?....
all acts are influenced by previous ones but most including japan, and duran duran stamp their own individual sound on to their songs, basically though the eighties were magical musically, if you forget joe dolce kept ultravox off top spot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I suppose every band draws its influences from somewhere.Duran Duran definately draw their visual style from Japan.And the similarity with this track and Duran's earliest hit Planet Earth is clear..But both bands have their merits..one embraced international stardom writing exotic pop songs for the video age, while the other turned its back on fame..
@taracanyon1 "I was a fan of Mick Karn's work with Japan (esp. Quiet Life,and Gentleman Take Polaroids) and he inspired me to play fretless" - John Taylor
electric barbarella's single cover
"Band founder Nick Rhodes:
-... drawing from the musical, visual and lyrical stylistic elements of Bowie, Ferry, Sylvian and Eno...-
I remember back in the day when Nick Rhodes and Simon LeBon hosted Mtv for a hour and could play whatever they wanted to. The old Mtv used to do that. I remember they also had Howard Jones come in and do that. Anyway, Nick played "Visions of China" and mentioned how great Japan is.
My brother was well into this band and i remember this track and Life In Tokyo the most, i heard Empire Of The Sun last year when in Australia and instantly thought of this group!! Their sound is so inspired by these guys!
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ferry, bowie and others, but still a snapshot and soundbite of great times. good tune and anyone who finds true originality, no influence, drop me a postcard, everyone has their roots and likes no matter how much we might liek to hide it. its a damn good tune and one Duran would be proud of in their day, but take it for what it is and enjoy... sorry for the rant... its been a long week!
"Quiet Life" a break through album for japan they changed their sound quite dramatically..they went from glam rock to a smooth melodic very unique sound I LOVED them as a teenager in the 80s Fantastic thanks for the memories!
best track Ive heard by them .. Nick Rhodes should pay royalties to this guy! All Of Duran owes everything to Japan! admittedly !I ve heard them say in interviews, Simon too and the Taylors. But thyey werent nearly as good as Japan.
I cant remember now where I heard that they admittedly were influenced by Japan. But I remember thinking. "Japan?!, Who's that?" lol... It was probably in Star Hits Magazine form '83 ;)
did you know they wanted any member of Japan to produce their first album? I've heard conflicting stories of this but it appears to be true. I didn't know it was in print or anything that they admitted an influence. The only time I know that they mentioned them was when Nick Rhodes was on MTV, he played the visions of china video. I think he totally took his style from Sylvian, sometimes they look alike.
Completely agree as I didn't really rate Duran Duran at all - also Talk Talk were supposed to be modelled on DD, but they quickly shook off that tag to create their own style - namely post-rock.
Had this tune in my head for years, (too young to know it first time around) then found it when playing GTA Vive City Stories, on the track listing, which was nice 'cos its a great record.
@hopki65 Yes I agree chum brilliant performance once again by David... Even my daughter now 23 loves this band... Their songs will be re-released soon im sure
@Bunty1962 they were re-released a couple of years ago in pretty bad remasters that distorted the sound by amping up the volume (well the virgin albums at least)
amazing how time passes you by,,,,this takes me back to my days with my skyway bmx fila tracksuit vans and sony walkman on playing japan,omd,human league oh great timews and still the best music.....
there was a nightclub in glasgow called the ultratec when this came on and the light show they had i n there it was amzing better than any dance music know .
Japan are the most underrated band of the 80s. Each member brought something unique and would have walked into any other band of that era. Was there a better vocalist than Sylvian? A better or more individual base guitarist than Karn? Have you ever heard anyone play the drums like Jansen? And Barbieri's keyboard sounds could not be matched. As for Duran Duran, I really liked them, but let's get this straight - they don't hold a candle to Japan. No-one in the 80s did.
After creating a masterpiece in Tin Drum, I do't think they'd ever have surpassed it. They went out on a high, but far too soon. One of THE best live bands I've ever seen.
OMG the last intelligent gasp from music .... love Japan .... beautiful, stylish, clever ..... todays music is utter rubbish .... & rap artists are mostly ugly as dogbutts ....
Yes, I was there. This was 1980 (March I think) at the 'Venue' in London. I still have the enormous yellow Ticket Stub. I remember we were sitting at funny little tables being very European/Bohemian/Arty-Farty, nodding our heads the way well behaved New Romantics are supposed to, whilst doing our best to show off our cheekbones.. They were good live though don't doubt it. Saw them again at the 'Lyceum' I think. I liked their previous album 'Obscure Alternatives' a metal/reggae hybrid.
markblyn 5 months ago
Wait a minute...when did Eugene Levy join Japan?
westernbiological 10 months ago
why cant you find guitar tabs to this fricken song anywhere
thesmithsmad 11 months ago
R.I.P Music
1950-1999
KillanatorVids 1 year ago 4
@KillanatorVids I think it was born centuries ago and it died in 1992 or 1993.
TheFallToRise 1 year ago
@KillanatorVids True but i'd say 1998. 1999 was producing some crap in preparation for what would be music quality holocaust... the 00's
22ndWave 11 months ago
R.I.P Mick Karn shame of a good bass play
rpr44 1 year ago 2
R.I.P. Mick....see you on "The Other Side Of Life"....
hamjamnspamalot 1 year ago 7
@hamjamnspamalot
I heard he was sick...hmmm.....what a shame, he was an awesome bassist
lunaboomboom 8 months ago
A skilled and influential bass player-one by one all the people of that great era of pop music 50/60/70/80's are leaving this world behind.
humbucker32 1 year ago 4
RIP Mick.
AdaStyle 1 year ago
Karn rest in peace mate ...
zane1961 1 year ago
RIP MICK KARN It's so sad. He was a genious on the bass.
alienCascais 1 year ago 2
What is the guitarist holding?
S101rockon 1 year ago
@S101rockon It's called an EBow
moodyb 1 year ago
@S101rockon
Try a guitar. Oh! You mean the object he's holding on the strings? EBow- it vibrates one string only. Get some weird sounds with effects.
123yuffy 1 year ago
Rip Mick Karn
merseymain 1 year ago
shame about mick karn rip. i always hoped they might reform again some day but i know they are far to cool to be a part of any 70s80s milking revival scenes.maybe the coolest band ever and now they will stay that way.
thelandingsmusic 1 year ago
@thelandingsmusic
Like you I hoped there would be another project after Raintree Crow but alas it wont happen now, perhaps as you say its good in a way because the soundscapes produced by Mick Karn and David Sylvian back in the day was always the coolest and now it will remain that way . Mick Karn and David Sylvian despite their differences, geniuses both! RIP Mick.
offshoremind 1 year ago
R. I. P. mick and god bless you
nobby172 1 year ago
R. I. P. mick and god bless you
nobby172 1 year ago
R.I.P. Mr. Khan. I met him in studio many years ago, Asked him if he'd ever release Dalis Cars as an instrumental album because I didn't care for the vocalist much but loved the music. He humbly said "The album is what is is" He was right, It remains one of the most influential albums in my collection and as a bass player made me realize that Music will always be bigger that the instrument you play... A True Artist.
pedtrot 1 year ago
Rest in peace Mick . . the best fretless bassist ever . . Its a sad day today , we will miss you Mick x
bcfctom14 1 year ago
R.I.P. Mick Khan , one of the all time great bass guitarists, you made it sound sublime.
popcorntommy 1 year ago
Imagine what Japan's music would have sounded like without Mick Karn's incredibly fluid basslines: impossible.
RIP, Mick.
AriaSuperBass 1 year ago
r.i.p mick
ShortestFuse 1 year ago 3
Great song...great band...and a particularly great bassist - always made their songs stand out. Very sad to hear of the passing of Mick. If the man upstairs needed a smooth and unique sound for his choir...then he's got one now! RIP...
buddybeanz 1 year ago 3
RIP Mick. No Duran Duran without these guys.
Oldschool7166 1 year ago 2
@Oldschool7166 I second this. Duran has named Japan as one of their major influences. Thank you Mick for helping inspire Duran whom I love dearly. RIP see you on the other side.
TheLadySakai 1 year ago 2
I had the 12 " of this song constantly playing when it was released... RIP Mick
slackerintherye 1 year ago
RIP...Bass will never sound the same.....
tombs333 1 year ago
Au revoir, Mick Karn. Angels sing thee to thy rest.
MsGeek703 1 year ago
R.I.P Mick, thanks for the music!
YCSMusic 1 year ago
far ahead of their time, duran duran started of the ashes of japan ,unfortunatly sylvians ego disolved the band
nico2262 1 year ago
far ahead of their time, duran duran started of the ashes of japan
nico2262 1 year ago
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Japan, The Human League, Ultravox and many other groups of the time where to play a major influence in the Techno sound and producers in Detroit which was to follow later in the decade that was the 1980s. This music is and always shall be a part of the history of Electronica.
ludwigvonsteampole1 11 seconds ago
ludwigvonsteampole1 1 year ago
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ludwigvonsteampole1 1 year ago
I was there when this was new, drove my parents nuts playing it. Someone mentioned the 80s being shit, well, in a way they were, parts of them, but I still loved them, specially' the first half. It was a cool time, in a paradoxical way, life was more modern almost 30 years ago.
freethoughtmusic 1 year ago 18
@freethoughtmusic - you are so right... 80s music being shit?!?! what jackoff idiot said that? compared to that XER0X hip-hop candy@ss garbage the 80s look like a Renaissance period.
Japan was pretty cool - although Sylvian was copyin' Bowie and Roxy Music-- his ideas were still plenty creative.
Most of the little dweebs that talk smack on here weren't even a cumstain on their mommas panties when this material was first released.
lorenparker 10 months ago
what is the guitarist holding in his hand when playing the guitar solo?
mrlee192 1 year ago
@mrlee192 It's an EBow
moodyb 1 year ago 6
世界一美しい男と評価されたデイヴィドも噂によるとただのデブ親父になったとか‥時は怖い‥
makemakaojp 1 year ago
i like JAPAN and im only 13 !!! :P
candychantal 1 year ago 2
Look at Sylvian's hair, notice how the "Emo's" of today have adopted a VERy similar style.
Thing is, for me, I was there in the 80's, 17 in 1984, - it was SHIT in the UK and I dunno why anyone would wanna hark back to those days. I could post a SERIOUS tirade based on politics and similarities between then and now etc. but I won't - it was just SHIT!!
crichton13 1 year ago
@crichton13 this shit was very real. u dont' have anybody to resemble this band nowadays even if you wanted to they were very real.
legoguy8114 1 year ago
@crichton13 this shit was very real. u dont' have anybody to resemble this band nowadays even if you wanted to they were very real. and if you are going to have anything close to this. dream on.
legoguy8114 1 year ago 2
I was never a fan of the new romantic movement per se, and it has only a few musical high points, but this is definitely one of them. Top drawer synth-pop, it stands the test of time extremely well. I didn't remember Mr Sylvian's hair resembling Princess Di to that extent though. Blimey !
ghancox 1 year ago
Classic
MrLadysman1969 1 year ago
Not really following the comments here but Japan in the 70s is funky to follow. Adolescent Sex is all hair and glam, and a pretty good track (and what was up with the Barbara Streisand cover Rain on My Parade?). I like to think Gentlemen Take Polaroids is when they focused, then got interested in Asian music and the sound became their own. Tin Drum is a classic for me. And then Sylvian's solo work, which I still think is excellent.
ernstwhere 1 year ago
BOLAN started it; GLITTER perfected it; BOWIE & ROXY took it to the late Seventies; JAPAN distilled it down into the perfect (enough) single: "Quiet Life" & then it was done!
blacknganga 1 year ago 3
Duran Duran had a GREAT record in their first, but the fact remains; although the end of the track is cheesey, Quiet Life stands for all time as one unbeatable piece of New Wave/Synthpop; an incredible hefty chunk of plastic, like no other.
blacknganga 1 year ago 2
One of my ALL time favourite bands of with i have a facebook page dedicated to them,callled Japan obviously look it up.Creator goes by the name of Gillian.Why do you never ever see them on any 80's music programmes??FAIL!!!
JakeG2004 1 year ago
japan were the geezers before duran duran whom modelled themselves off japan then stole the fire. by then sylvian gave it up and did one. both great i thought and still love listening to them both. what happened, they say time moved on, really. into shite. except but a few. no one can express themselves for people like x-factor and people who rob grannies. its frightening isnt it. its norm i know. sad!!!!.
dogsbalearics 1 year ago
Coolest of all 80's synth bands and Mick Karn's bass playing is a thing of beauty.
tommym1966 1 year ago 2
dave jansen can play on anything and i'll like it
iyrdy 1 year ago
I was a new Romantic back in the 80s, wearing all that frilly stuff and bowie trousers lol,but i still loved ,this music, and still do to this day, were did all that time go?. Rock on.Then i got married, had kids, went bald and now its all history, lololololololol
guruclock 1 year ago 3
@guruclock
lol....happened to all us Japan fans. But you can still enjoy Sylvian, hair or not. His Secrets of the Beehive is just beautiful. His more recent work is painfully quiet, though.
calvintoronto 1 year ago
My god, I was OBSESSED with David Sylvian when I was in my early teens. Played their albums so many times, my mother threatened to confiscate them. Now just sounds like a Bryan Ferry rip off. Ah, lost youth!!
sonsielass1 1 year ago
one of glam-rock's best bands. If you liked this music genre you were either an outsider or felt like one. Or am I wrong? Let me know. Who chooses to be normal anyway?
34tgroan 1 year ago 2
@34tgroan yeh mate, if u loved that sounds there was a group for
that and it called itself NEW WAVE. we did choose something else.
333Chrome 1 year ago
@333Chrome one the best bands in the 80,s
connorl996 1 year ago
@34tgroan . well for me,I can agree with you.where I live you were definitely an "outcast" you could hear a pin drop when I stepped into a nightclub/bar,I got into all sorts of trouble.I don't know why,but,for some reason the "Neanderthals" assumed because I was all glammed-up that I was some kind of easy target,well those thugs had a shock,I was taught from an early age on how to box .I don't condone violence,but you've got to defend yourself from ignoramuses. Excuse the rant ;-)..
owlru 1 year ago
@owlru don't :) I had that type of treatment in crappy Milton Keynes years ago when I used to go out to a crap pub dive called the Pilgrims Bottle (1986-1987), stupid wankers used to pick fights with everyone dumb Neanderthal wankers and I had a few fights up the City Centre too, won most of my fights lost one and I had a shit """""""friend""""""""" I used to hang about with that got me into shit at a school disco at a former school, most of them thought "one punch and this black poof will hit
DerVampyrEngel 1 year ago
the deck" they got a shock when it ended up being them but I got shit at the pub about 20 football fan wankers started on me and this punk and the fucking pigs arressted me?????!!!!! I know why though I was pretty wierded up that night to go to Camden Palace otherwise I wouldn't have even gone near that place well the coach didn't turn up , still that left a mark I hate going to pleb pubs or clubs I like to go to way out Futurists, Gothic, or Electronic clubs I feel much safer in those places
DerVampyrEngel 1 year ago
@34tgroan glam-rock? Electro surely?
MoveOnSoulClub 1 year ago
@MoveOnSoulClub At a time when electro and Glam were one and the same; check out Sparks "Tryouts For the Human Race".
blacknganga 1 year ago
Yes, Duran Duran was inspired by Japan. Enjoy.
horsetiziano 1 year ago
i think i buy a
daffodil97 1 year ago
nice song nice season
Mr03051961 1 year ago
Japan is amazing and who gives a shit about their sexuality!! Good music is good music period! Duran Duran really were influenced by these guys you totally hear it!
Djtonystewart 1 year ago
Cheers for posting all the Japan/Sylvian vids - much appreciated :-)
alangarveypoet 1 year ago
this is one of the best bands i have got to know in my 25 year search for good and lasting music. japan!
kick ass!!
all albums!
beschermengel 1 year ago
Why does sexuality always have to enter on artist abilities. If they are good and you like them can't that be enough!! The 80's was definitely a great era for music that will live on many generations from now. Judge it based on it's artistic merits, not who is shaggin who....
IRONJUNK625 1 year ago
Quiet Life = Duran Duran LP and a sort of Rio
Gentleman Take Polaroids & Tin Drum = Seven and the Ragged Tiger and a bit of Big Thing
FrancoDamn 1 year ago
@FrancoDamn damn you are right man!!
still.. incredible musical quality, japan.
beschermengel 1 year ago
@FrancoDamn seriously? I only hear the Japan influence on the first Duran Duran album, including the rest of their albums is stretching it a bit although "Tiger Tiger" does sound a lot like something off Tin Drum but that's about it.
koalacatcher 1 year ago
@koalacatcher Nick Rhodes has something of Richard Barbieri, he demostrated it in the 80s
FrancoDamn 1 year ago
@FrancoDamn well I can tell you Richard Barbieri still has Duran Duran's first demo tape when they were looking for someone to produce them.
koalacatcher 1 year ago
@koalacatcher For example i heard "Art of Parties" and it have the "happy" feeling of "Notorious". "Art" was a very pop song in an experimental new wave album.
FrancoDamn 1 year ago
Get well, Mick Karn!
therealsoulproduct 1 year ago
well guys
back at the starting days of new wave, u could do one of 2
things= first...listen to pop chart garbagge, or second..dig in deep
to avantgarde music.
japan...........and others
333Chrome 1 year ago
@333Chrome ....japan,human league.thomas dolby,visage..etc.....were "avantgarde" as u put it....... but when it was a popular scene and they were in the charts,their music was polished...for pop..... i mean look at "being boiled"..early stuff...raw and bit gritty............money sells ppl out.....
urbanscubadiver1 1 year ago
@urbanscubadiver1 my dear friend, at least japan was
not misunderstood with gay 80ties as erasure, or boytronik
in germany....
do not forget...techno is first
333Chrome 1 year ago
...tra i migliori...
stranaMenteuMana 1 year ago
poor mick is dying of cancer and he is broke!!!
TheTierney1 1 year ago
Mick Karn...A1 bass guitarist...and I think he's an artist and sculptor(clever dude)
kernowrock555 1 year ago
Go to mickkarn.net and see how you can help him fight his bout with cancer!
ronbo11 1 year ago 2
i was so young when i listened to new wave.....
japan was king of them all,...
so fu.ked they split after the japan tour
333Chrome 1 year ago
I always liked Japan, funky & elegant. David Sylvian's voice was so unique.
They remind me of the pretty boys that hung out in New Romantic clubs in the early 80s....very androgynous looking.
MsRedbelly 1 year ago
this song comes out on Wave 103 in Grand Theft Auto, Vice City Storys.
LadyDodgers123 1 year ago
I loved Japan - David Sylvian was always compared to Bowie. Yes an influence but not a copy. Shame really...
samandstu 1 year ago
..and just how good is this bassline!!
micktomazou 1 year ago
love this song
MUSICOBLISS 1 year ago
Their best!!
MelodyXX33 1 year ago
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tecdessus 1 year ago
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As a bloke dont tell me you werent seduced by david and his slightly trans gender style music and 80s trendsetting . Totally unique and although made me question my sexuality for a while has a real special place with me i realise now when that other eighties band said "were lost in music" exactly what they meant . like a signpost a special moment or a life changeing experience i will always remember japan and their sexy somehow spiritual music
acefreaky 1 year ago
@acefreaky David and the whole band are definately cool, but never made me, or most other straight male fans of Japan question their sexuality. You are a latent bum shunt. This is an issue which you will have to accept about yourself, and something which you should not presume of others. Take it easy!! ;)
ariesscorpiorising 1 year ago 31
@ariesscorpiorising
Wouldn't even bat an eyelid nowadays. Probably get called metrosexual instead (awful term, I know).
sifrow 1 year ago
@acefreaky David is straight.......I find him very sexy indeed!
goodanswergoodanswer 1 year ago
shepp sann dana tann shee kanna harr
451TIMOTHY 1 year ago
agreed. this is so good.
ernstwhere 1 year ago
saw them live a few times, it was a shame they didnt make a few more albums, but I can treasure the ones they did make, it was an amazing time to live tru, met David on his 08 solo tour,
anthonynewsome 1 year ago
Wonderful guitar lick. Japan for ever :-)
miauhaus 1 year ago
I think Japan (David Sylvian) were influenced by Roxy Music,but obviously had their own unique sound & Image..shame they split :-(..many rumours about this,but I think David S wanted to go solo ?....
owlru 1 year ago
@owlru Correct
NeilBritain7 1 year ago
japan, duran, talk, thompsom twins, howard jones!!!! made the 80's. li'l bit of phil collins, eurithmics. but pure 80's sound, japan and duran
j4mespatrick 1 year ago
all acts are influenced by previous ones but most including japan, and duran duran stamp their own individual sound on to their songs, basically though the eighties were magical musically, if you forget joe dolce kept ultravox off top spot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
littlebay75 1 year ago
@littlebay75 japan, duran etc, were the daddies of 80's!!
j4mespatrick 1 year ago
I suppose every band draws its influences from somewhere.Duran Duran definately draw their visual style from Japan.And the similarity with this track and Duran's earliest hit Planet Earth is clear..But both bands have their merits..one embraced international stardom writing exotic pop songs for the video age, while the other turned its back on fame..
taracanyon1 1 year ago 3
Blimey mate,could not have put it better myself,you've made an excellent comment,respect. x
mousef16 1 year ago
@taracanyon1 "I was a fan of Mick Karn's work with Japan (esp. Quiet Life,and Gentleman Take Polaroids) and he inspired me to play fretless" - John Taylor
electric barbarella's single cover
"Band founder Nick Rhodes:
-... drawing from the musical, visual and lyrical stylistic elements of Bowie, Ferry, Sylvian and Eno...-
shockmastershocksu 1 year ago
@shockmastershocksu
I remember back in the day when Nick Rhodes and Simon LeBon hosted Mtv for a hour and could play whatever they wanted to. The old Mtv used to do that. I remember they also had Howard Jones come in and do that. Anyway, Nick played "Visions of China" and mentioned how great Japan is.
ar4216 1 year ago 2
Class!
MrNupit 1 year ago 3
"Japan" they are my starting point for my music life !!!
YUZU2009NICO 1 year ago 7
My brother was well into this band and i remember this track and Life In Tokyo the most, i heard Empire Of The Sun last year when in Australia and instantly thought of this group!! Their sound is so inspired by these guys!
benjo231 1 year ago
Gr8 song. 80s 4eva.
aaronjarvis1 1 year ago 2
A truly great start to this track.However like
most of this groups songs it gets really boring and ends up stuck in a groove.
flanneryged 1 year ago
nah disagree, it's amazing from start to finish, love Rob Dean's solo too
twilightzonegarage 1 year ago
Duran Duran heard these guys and said "hey, we can do that! I like them too but this is the shit, yo. ;)
MobiusBandwidth 2 years ago 4
Duran Duran were directly infliuenced by Japan, and in fact admitted to it in a DD fan book from the early 80s.
Nick Rhodes, I believe, based his professional career directly on DS.
whitekuduone 1 year ago
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ferry, bowie and others, but still a snapshot and soundbite of great times. good tune and anyone who finds true originality, no influence, drop me a postcard, everyone has their roots and likes no matter how much we might liek to hide it. its a damn good tune and one Duran would be proud of in their day, but take it for what it is and enjoy... sorry for the rant... its been a long week!
letotoo 2 years ago
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Actually, the "boys" bits were copied from Bowie's "Boys Keep Swinging", dontcha think?
pintpot 2 years ago
"Quiet Life" a break through album for japan they changed their sound quite dramatically..they went from glam rock to a smooth melodic very unique sound I LOVED them as a teenager in the 80s Fantastic thanks for the memories!
donboynz 2 years ago
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Very Ferry,but good
LOMANDYO 2 years ago
Ha, danced a lot on this number in the eighties. Nostalgia!
menarik1965 2 years ago
What babes! Thanks for posting. Great song, great album.
merseyonme 2 years ago
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They all (new romantics)were influenced by Bowie and..........listen to the voice.....Bryan Ferry!
harktomopsey 2 years ago
Japan never considered themselves "new romantic" I thought
fiendwithoutaface66 2 years ago 3
best track Ive heard by them .. Nick Rhodes should pay royalties to this guy! All Of Duran owes everything to Japan! admittedly !I ve heard them say in interviews, Simon too and the Taylors. But thyey werent nearly as good as Japan.
disciplove 2 years ago
this track is the basis for planet earth, listen to them back to back. I've never actually heard them bring up Japan, do you know where they have?
fiendwithoutaface66 2 years ago
@fiendwithoutaface66 .....
Totally Planet Earth! ...
I cant remember now where I heard that they admittedly were influenced by Japan. But I remember thinking. "Japan?!, Who's that?" lol... It was probably in Star Hits Magazine form '83 ;)
disciplove 2 years ago
did you know they wanted any member of Japan to produce their first album? I've heard conflicting stories of this but it appears to be true. I didn't know it was in print or anything that they admitted an influence. The only time I know that they mentioned them was when Nick Rhodes was on MTV, he played the visions of china video. I think he totally took his style from Sylvian, sometimes they look alike.
fiendwithoutaface66 2 years ago
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@disciplove -but ultimately they should all pay royalties to Bowie & Roxy!!!
missmarypickford 2 years ago
Completely agree as I didn't really rate Duran Duran at all - also Talk Talk were supposed to be modelled on DD, but they quickly shook off that tag to create their own style - namely post-rock.
WalshNo5 1 year ago
70s electro trance I reckon!
mrmetalman123 2 years ago
David was influeneced by Bowie's hair style on the young American's album.
eburacum 2 years ago
God... I miss these days.
Chamindo7 2 years ago
Yes, Japan influenced Duran Duran.
They began recording in the 70's.
SpringSessionZen 2 years ago
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David Sylvian got a similar image to Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran.
riskybusiness89 2 years ago
Nick copied David.
mcjasper 2 years ago 3
@riskybusiness89 More like Nick Rhodes had a similar look to David Sylvian!
loljdawson 2 years ago
De lo mejor...
Alejjjjo 2 years ago
this is a superb song to dance to and completely lose yourself in
debbieallen2 2 years ago 2
EXCELLENT.
qevans03 2 years ago 3
this song is in GTA vcs psp awesome song love it
EbilinforcerDJ 2 years ago
Japan - Quiet Life
129barry 2 years ago
Had this tune in my head for years, (too young to know it first time around) then found it when playing GTA Vive City Stories, on the track listing, which was nice 'cos its a great record.
ddarkwade 2 years ago 3
japan never recived the recognition they deserved
hopki65 2 years ago 60
@hopki65 Yes I agree chum brilliant performance once again by David... Even my daughter now 23 loves this band... Their songs will be re-released soon im sure
Bunty1962 1 year ago
@Bunty1962 they were re-released a couple of years ago in pretty bad remasters that distorted the sound by amping up the volume (well the virgin albums at least)
shockmastershocksu 1 year ago
@hopki65 well, they did really, but Sylvian broke the band up the moment that it happened!
rhysmarsh 1 year ago
@hopki65 you never said a truer word...
tonesanalien 1 year ago
Brilliant
BarryGrantBrookie 2 years ago 5
amazing how time passes you by,,,,this takes me back to my days with my skyway bmx fila tracksuit vans and sony walkman on playing japan,omd,human league oh great timews and still the best music.....
mkyoungadult 2 years ago 4
These were stylish indeed, but surely THE MOST underated 80s band were Talk Talk!
spectrum99122 2 years ago 5
there was a nightclub in glasgow called the ultratec when this came on and the light show they had i n there it was amzing better than any dance music know .
MrArriva38 2 years ago
sweet :))
love the 80s....
83Brokenwings 2 years ago 3
Japan are the most underrated band of the 80s. Each member brought something unique and would have walked into any other band of that era. Was there a better vocalist than Sylvian? A better or more individual base guitarist than Karn? Have you ever heard anyone play the drums like Jansen? And Barbieri's keyboard sounds could not be matched. As for Duran Duran, I really liked them, but let's get this straight - they don't hold a candle to Japan. No-one in the 80s did.
miknikb 2 years ago
Excellent musicians! Especially Mick Karns bass on Tin Drum. I don't think Duran could play like these guys.
mattess 2 years ago
It was princess Diana that shot Duran duran to fame. When she said that they were her favourite band. After that everybody liked DD.
baggie00001 2 years ago
After creating a masterpiece in Tin Drum, I do't think they'd ever have surpassed it. They went out on a high, but far too soon. One of THE best live bands I've ever seen.
CatFiain 2 years ago
Good song, first time I listen to it, I liked it... I've already like this genre, style and period, though ;)
V00Rozen 2 years ago
me no like japan, the country that is.
washingliquid 2 years ago
How did this wonderfull song do in the charts?
jonnbb 2 years ago
poorly :(
fiendwithoutaface66 2 years ago
got into the top 20
wavel2619 2 years ago
mmm ebo..of COURSE,classy boys
spillandambience 2 years ago
still great 30 years after !!!
FLORENT2222 2 years ago 3
You are right!
ZAOUWV 2 years ago
Meraviglia.
jackfeirytheonlyone 2 years ago
oooooooooooh fab - thanks for posting
jeffryfourmile 2 years ago 2
boys do you recognise the signs
RSLICKER 2 years ago
OMG the last intelligent gasp from music .... love Japan .... beautiful, stylish, clever ..... todays music is utter rubbish .... & rap artists are mostly ugly as dogbutts ....
DIONYSES000AD 2 years ago 4
dinoblackgrape (....(shit)). First learn your Igglish and then your popknowledge, before you start commenting again. Plain Terrible.
rhythmcorp 2 years ago 2
david sylvian has a look ov nik rhodes ov duran duran
dinoblackgrape 2 years ago
Is that Mick Karn on bass?
4dagi0 2 years ago 3
yes he is
snoopnotthedog 2 years ago