@Tommy Barlow Not necessarily so... There were many great pop/rock writers who heavily influenced the eighties bands. The new songs simply drew inspiration from the older rockers?
If you were listening to Japan in 1982, congratulations for getting it. There were a lot of great New Wave bands but Japan took that genre to the level of art. The fact that this still sounds relevant in 2019 is a testament to the genius of this band.
@Tommy Barlow Or, Marvin Gaye, or Jimmy Hendrix, or The Beatles, or Pink Floyd, or the collective delta bluesmen (and women) who gave us the template for modern pop/rock?
David Sylvian's mournful, Ferry-esque vocals do this song great justice, particularly when mingled with the haunting, rather eerie keyboards, and Steve Jansen's marimbas. One of Japan's best ever records. :)
My fave David Sylvian song of all time is "Red Guitar" its so beautiful. I had the honour of meeting DS quite a few times back in the 80's as he was very good friends with my brother at the time. What a beautiful/polite/sweet manand yes, very lovely looking too. I was 7 then. I'm now nearly 40 :)
Oh my God, that had to be a wonderful experience looking from today's perspective... His music can touch the soul. "Orpheus" still reminds me about that...
"Brilliant Trees" is one of my all time favourite albums. So, so modern sounding, even now. The "Tin Drum" record was another feat of high art, too. You met him! Cherished moments in life.
i saw japan in concert way back,, this track has always been with me,, david sings this soo well, its like something creeping up on everyone and his voice is amazing,,, noone could ever cover this track, if they did,, shame,,, japans best track ever xx
Now I`m totaly in a trance. THIS is real music, and I just love it. I could let it go on repeat for hours, and just lay down and close my eyes. Then I would almoast be in heaven!
Always a great song to point to when people say electronic music isn't 'real' music. There's something amazingly haunting about this; the effects, the lyrics, the sparseness. It sounds like a song called 'Ghosts' should.
Back when people played live - even electronica. When fashion was dictated by creative people not corporation and songs were full of reason not marketing. RIP Mick Karn - a true pioneer.
Still spine chillingly brilliant, I was a massive Japan/David Sylvian fan and still to this day his voice gives me goosebumps!! And he was so easy on the eye too❤️
ooohhh God this is wonderful! Thanks so much for posting it! I've never seen Mick Karn on Keyboards... I've been growing listening to Japan in the 80's, and they became a part of my soul. Rob.
To be honest the current era is also quite unique, actually that's probably what defines an era. A massive change in the way people think, dress and do things. The affects of automation and rapid conversion of everything from physical to ephemeral technological data and how it affects the minds of all the newer generations, what has changed and what never changes with a change with a change of era is always interesting
Called my son Sylvian he’s 33 now brilliant band although I’m Indian tried to look like him with make up clothes but look more like a tanned Richard barberi -,thete early stuff even better
So Brilliant! How many times have I listened to this song? Hundreds. How much do I relate to this song? A Lot! Timeless. Genius. One of the greatest pieces of lyric, voice, depth, mood, sound, aesthetics and delivery... one of my favourite songs ever!
I regarded Japan as the most Avant Garde of the 1980s musicians. It brought back the Best of the 1980s: a bad time in my life but consoled by the fact that the music from the UK was at it's peak as regards creativity.
I remember first hearing this band Japan in Comet store back in the early 80s when the sales assistant played this as demo on a new gadget call a compact disc player which l went to purchased for my Sansui tower system kool band
I have come back to this song.....and his voice ....for an eternity. Masterful......amazing to see this clip and see him singing ...so effortless...perfect.... thank you xo
adore this song, so atmospheric, play it while lying in the pitch black. When it came out I bought it, my brother used to do an ace impression of David Sylvian!
I was 12 and had posters of Japan on my walls this was the most creative song I’d ever heard.Apart from one sentence in a song that still lives with me today Stop dreaming of a quiet life it’s one you’ll never know both men are geniuses
I was listening to Japan in 1992-83, but not sure how I found out about them, but I was very curious about all the new British bands that were coming out back then. Maybe I saw a video of them on MTV? Back then it was big effort to find this music. You went to stores that carried mostly classic rock and had a small section, but the albums were sealed. The clerks knew about the classic rock stuff, but didn’t know much about the new modern rock. Do ou had to stare at the albums and take chances. I remember looking at this import album of Spandel ballet (sp) and thinking who are these guys?! Who would’ve thought they would be huge. Also, bc I had a soul and funk background, I would get hell for liking and buying this music. Folks were clueless until this music hit mainstream around 1987. God bless the folks that are assure of themselves at an early age and go after what they like and not just follow everyone.
I am a teen slightly obssesed with the 80's, okay a lot obessesed but oh well. I would love for the 80's to come back, I have the big hair, love the fashion and love the music. Mam always said I should I have lived in the 80's!
passion r.i.p mick and thank you and david for all the emotions when i was young i lived this band woooooooooow i was so different then but all my ghosts have court up with me it makes sence now xxx
If this song was released today it still would be ahead of it's time.
Dave Robinson This was from an era when musicians were actually talented and had souls...rather than being a prefab loop track prostitute performer.
@@user-xx7pg3vw9k I agree
How true.
@Tommy Barlow Not necessarily so... There were many great pop/rock writers who heavily influenced the eighties bands. The new songs simply drew inspiration from the older rockers?
If you were listening to Japan in 1982, congratulations for getting it.
There were a lot of great New Wave bands but Japan took that genre to the level of art.
The fact that this still sounds relevant in 2019 is a testament to the genius of this band.
I'm here because my daughter sent a link to me of David doing this song on his own and remembered Japan blasting through the house when she was little
I was 12 in 82 and totally got this amazing band,still sound as epic as back then ❤
@Tommy Barlow Or, Marvin Gaye, or Jimmy Hendrix, or The Beatles, or Pink Floyd, or the collective delta bluesmen (and women) who gave us the template for modern pop/rock?
@Tommy Barlow Ha! Yes indeed. Cracking reply! 😃
Yep. Loved Japan, Sylvian was just so good. Mick Karn as well. I was 16 in 82👍👍👍
This very handsome guy had a very special voice that had a sound no one else had , he was so unique ....His dress was very flamboyant x WOW X
He still does.
this goes back to a time when britsh record companies signed bands that were truly creative.
I've discovered Japan just a few weeks ago and I'm still in shock. I can't believe I've been able to live for 45 years ignoring this music.
But what a discovery to make!
I saw them back in the day. They were my favourite
same here x I'm 61 and don't know what I've been doing with myself. Please watch Forbidden Colours - you will love
I love this song I think it's a masterpiece. Please don't forget Richard Barbieri. I think he is a genius. I also love his work within Porcupine Tree.
David’s voice has a hypnotic quality that syncs beautifully with the music.
When I was young and beautiful. Now I am simply a ghost of my life, old,unsure and sublimely sad
Most poignant comment I have ever read on U tube so in tune with this song!
The most atmospheric song of the 1980,s thoroughly deserved top 5 hit and one of my all time faves...
One of the greatest songs... Brilliant.. Haunting.. Intelligent
I remember watching this on TOTP in 1982. I was 4. It was one of my first memories.
I was 21 and have always thought they were brill
I was 17 but loved them from Quiet Life. This was their first big hit.
Must have disturbed you for life. Total Shit lol
@@andrewmacdonald7423 Each to their own, but my opinion is “don’t say anything at all if you have nothing nice or constructive to say”
A great atmospheric forgotten classic, very Bryan Ferry influenced.
Very!
this song is a masterpiece!
David Sylvian's mournful, Ferry-esque vocals do this song great justice, particularly when mingled with the haunting, rather eerie keyboards, and Steve Jansen's marimbas. One of Japan's best ever records. :)
Number five in the British singles charts, today it's impossible!
He is surely the most beautiful being on this earth
I WASN'T THAT KEEN ON THEM AT THE TIME BUT NOW LISTENING BACK.. I WISH I HAD APPRECIATED JAPAN MORE.
I remember watching this very episode
Same. Was mesmerizing
Beautiful man....Beautiful tune
I would have given him all to be asked out by him,a really good looking guy ❤❤❤❤
I love the synthesizers and the xylophone on this piece.
Vibraphone.
Prophet 10
...marimba
Loved this when I was growing up... posters all over my wall...listening to it now, I appreciate it so much more .... just brilliant!
Quiet Life.
Brilliant Posters with a lot of trees, nice Jackets and hairspray
I remember watching this on Top Of The Pops. I was 12 at the time and loved the different genres of music. Those times were much simpler back then.
My fave David Sylvian song of all time is "Red Guitar" its so beautiful. I had the honour of meeting DS quite a few times back in the 80's as he was very good friends with my brother at the time. What a beautiful/polite/sweet manand yes, very lovely looking too. I was 7 then. I'm now nearly 40 :)
Kirstin Roma McLaughlin Lucky lady. 😊
Oh my God, that had to be a wonderful experience looking from today's perspective... His music can touch the soul. "Orpheus" still reminds me about that...
"Brilliant Trees" is one of my all time favourite albums. So, so modern sounding, even now.
The "Tin Drum" record was another feat of high art, too.
You met him! Cherished moments in life.
This song instantly transports me back to when I was 17, a girl I fancied was mad on Japan, but I never plucked up the courage to ask her out
dudee you missed your chance, seems like she had great taste :/ but yeah i can see why lol david is so beautiful and japan is a great band !!
Loved this band
Older brother introduced me to them
David has a great voice and this is a superb song which showcases his unique talent
i saw japan in concert way back,, this track has always been with me,, david sings this soo well, its like something creeping up on everyone and his voice is amazing,,, noone could ever cover this track, if they did,, shame,,, japans best track ever xx
together with Nightporter
Mick Karn on keyboards, in addition to his bass and saxophone skills. What an amazing and versatile talent!
this is amazing, David's voice is so unique and no wonder he was voted the worlds most beautful man
Now I`m totaly in a trance.
THIS is real music, and I just love it.
I could let it go on repeat for hours, and just lay down and close my eyes.
Then I would almoast be in heaven!
When I saw him live in Chicago, he sang this song. Just brilliant.
God Bless Mick Karn (keyboard electronics) Rip 2011
Always a great song to point to when people say electronic music isn't 'real' music. There's something amazingly haunting about this; the effects, the lyrics, the sparseness. It sounds like a song called 'Ghosts' should.
Once you lived the 80s you stay there forever ❤
David Sylvian has more talent in his little finger than 99% of today's musical muppets......
Rob Parker And Mick Karn -RIP
+Rob Parker .true
Better looking as well.
I agree and disagree, you turn on the radio back 30 years ago, and here some cool shit. now a days you got a look far and wide for good shit
very very veryyyyy far...
superb performance. pure magic
Back when people played live - even electronica. When fashion was dictated by creative people not corporation and songs were full of reason not marketing. RIP Mick Karn - a true pioneer.
What a bloody gorgeous song. Still sounds as good in 2020.
Mick Karn, what a great loss too much early...
Wonderful Band. Wonderful song.
Pure silk vocals... how does it happen... oh to share life with such talent!
Or anything!!!
Still, the best gives ne goose bumps at 56 i still love it brilliant voice x
Simon Cowell - watch this then top yourself. Cheers.
Lol, that made me laugh - and I couldn’t agree more.
:) Made me laugh.
Harsh - but fair...
Now that's funny. .respect.
Almost shot hot coffee out my nose. Worth it totally.
Found out abou Japan back in 2015 i`m in 2024 and im still here listen to them
Powerful. Love the synth
Cutting-edge stuff from 1982. When creativity was valued & musicians were given a relatively free rein
Awesome... talented and beautiful man. Brings me back.,,
about 30 years ahead of its time
Still spine chillingly brilliant, I was a massive Japan/David Sylvian fan and still to this day his voice gives me goosebumps!! And he was so easy on the eye too❤️
I have to admit this slays me. David is so...just unnervingly beautiful.
This is HEAVEN to my ears.
Agreed!
ooohhh God this is wonderful! Thanks so much for posting it! I've never seen Mick Karn on Keyboards... I've been growing listening to Japan in the 80's, and they became a part of my soul.
Rob.
You're welcome! I wrote my first song after hearing this song when it came out...It's remained my favourite song ever since!
Unique era....glad I was there :)
To be honest the current era is also quite unique, actually that's probably what defines an era. A massive change in the way people think, dress and do things. The affects of automation and rapid conversion of everything from physical to ephemeral technological data and how it affects the minds of all the newer generations, what has changed and what never changes with a change with a change of era is always interesting
Called my son Sylvian he’s 33 now brilliant band although I’m Indian tried to look like him with make up clothes but look more like a tanned Richard barberi -,thete early stuff even better
Just brilliant enough said
This and Red Guitar is a masterpiece.
Loved them at the time and even more now.
Incredible stuff
I was 18 year's old what a awesome time to be a live
A awesome time indeed.
Takes me back to years ago. Still amazing 😍
I love this song ❤️even in 2019
I’m 47 now 🤗
Never be another band like Japan,Jodie.I, was there in the moment as well.
David's solo work has some gems as well.
Beautiful ❤
Timeless !
Full of raw emotion !
seems a life time ago ......................but then it is.....................
so haunting loved it then still do now love japan and this song nightporter was a fave of mine also.
This is a scintillating song - I remember watching the TOTP performance at the time and this brings back a lot of memories. Thanks for posting.
I want to live and love because of his music.... Thank you very much David..... 💙
So Brilliant! How many times have I listened to this song? Hundreds. How much do I relate to this song? A Lot! Timeless. Genius. One of the greatest pieces of lyric, voice, depth, mood, sound, aesthetics and delivery... one of my favourite songs ever!
I regarded Japan as the most Avant Garde of the 1980s musicians. It brought back the Best of the 1980s: a bad time in my life but consoled by the fact that the music from the UK was at it's peak as regards creativity.
Unnervingly beautiful is a very apt description of this man.....could anyone be more perfect and amazing????
these guys were something else ,,,,,great looking blokes ,such talent .....saw them years since ,,,,once seen never forgotten
Wow ! Loved them then love them now, his voice
Went to a Karaoke Bar -when I particularly asked for this version (by Japan,I said)- quite funny to watch the DJ expression.
I remember first hearing this band Japan in Comet store back in the early 80s when the sales assistant played this as demo on a new gadget call a compact disc player which l went to purchased for my Sansui tower system kool band
I have come back to this song.....and his voice ....for an eternity. Masterful......amazing to see this clip and see him singing ...so effortless...perfect.... thank you xo
still think this song is totally under played great group magic song
adore this song, so atmospheric, play it while lying in the pitch black. When it came out I bought it, my brother used to do an ace impression of David Sylvian!
Great song! David is a gorgeous, handsome man. And of course, incredibly talented.
I love how this is one of the first videos on CZcams
I'm with you Scuncan... it was a great time in my life also. The fashion & music was great & i loved it!!!
Just pure talent
Masterpiece.
top song, way ahead of its time.......
Very underrated and superbly brilliant, Mick Karn , Steve Jansen, Richard Barbieri and DS of course
*got the order right too* :D
Sitting on my bunk listening to this on my Walkman, just before going on Patrol in West Belfast
I thought you didnt like to talk about that stuff
I was 12 and had posters of Japan on my walls this was the most creative song I’d ever heard.Apart from one sentence in a song that still lives with me today Stop dreaming of a quiet life it’s one you’ll never know both men are geniuses
a great band with a great singer , eternal;
There will never be another Japan - brilliant band...
I was listening to Japan in 1992-83, but not sure how I found out about them, but I was very curious about all the new British bands that were coming out back then. Maybe I saw a video of them on MTV?
Back then it was big effort to find this music. You went to stores that carried mostly classic rock and had a small section, but the albums were sealed. The clerks knew about the classic rock stuff, but didn’t know much about the new modern rock. Do ou had to stare at the albums and take chances. I remember looking at this import album of Spandel ballet (sp) and thinking who are these guys?! Who would’ve thought they would be huge. Also, bc I had a soul and funk background, I would get hell for liking and buying this music. Folks were clueless until this music hit mainstream around 1987.
God bless the folks that are assure of themselves at an early age and go after what they like and not just follow everyone.
I agree what a voice better than Bowie in many ways unique xxx there is nobody better ,today.
bought this on 7inch vinyl when it came out , still love it, and the years have been kind to david ,still a good looking bugger, born 1958
I am a teen slightly obssesed with the 80's, okay a lot obessesed but oh well. I would love for the 80's to come back, I have the big hair, love the fashion and love the music. Mam always said I should I have lived in the 80's!
Brilliant track brilliant band Jeff swansea
I was about 10 when this came out and I loved it. I had good taste in music then, and still have. 😉👌
Love this now as much as I did when it first came out- a fantastic song!!
Mine too - truly evocative of a great musical era
musicians ahead of their time - still listen to them 30 years on - lucky I guess to see them live - see the tour with Sylvian/Fripp 1992/93 - superb
he shat on Mick Karn though so I don't think much of DS as a person
I like how there's a stint of modern pop song
passion r.i.p mick and thank you and david for all the emotions when i was young i lived this band woooooooooow i was so different then but all my ghosts have court up with me it makes sence now xxx
I think I'm in love