Life in Tokyo

Japan

About Life in Tokyo

Life in Tokyo is a song by the British band Japan. A collaboration with disco producer Giorgio Moroder, who also co-wrote the song with David Sylvian, it marked a change of direction from the band's previous sound. Originally released as a single in 1979, it was reissued twice before it finally became a hit on The UK Singles Chart in 1982.


Year:
1994
112 
#5

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There's always something left inside here 
I've really nothing much to lose 
It seems so sentimental 
Why should I care? 

Somewhere there's a sound of distant living 
Welcome in high society 
It seems so artificial 
Why should I care? 

Oh ho ho 
Life can be cruel 
Life in Tokyo 
Oh ho ho 
Life can be cruel 
Life in Tokyo 

Another vehicle heads for sunset 
No other providence will do 
They're only buildings and houses 
Why should I care 

Oh ho ho 
Life can be cruel 
Life in Tokyo 
Oh ho ho 
Life can be cruel 
Life in Tokyo

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Japan

Japan i/dʒəˈpæn/ (Japanese: 日本 Nihon or Nippon; formally 日本国 Nippon-koku or Nihon-koku, literally "[the] State of Japan") is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. The characters that make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin", which is why Japan is sometimes referred to as the "Land of the Rising Sun". more »

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Written by: DAVID SYLVIAN, GEORGIO MORODER

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


9 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"Life in Tokyo" is a song by the British band Japan, and it is considered as a New Wave, Electronic, Synthpop and Art Pop song.
Production Collaboration
The song was co-written by band member David Sylvian and legendary Italian music producer Giorgio Moroder, who is often credited with pioneering electronic dance music.
Release Date
"Life in Tokyo" was first released as a single in 1979. It was later included in several of Japan's album compilations including "Assemblage" in 1981 and "The Very Best of Japan" in 2006.
Chart Performance
Though initially the song did not perform well on the charts, it gained popularity over time and managed to peak at number 28 on the UK Singles Charts in 1982.
Music Video
A music video was made for the song featuring footage of the band in Tokyo, interspersed with Japanese cultural imagery. In keeping with the band's innovative image, the video was quite avant-garde for the time.
Artistic Direction
Known for their visually arresting style, the cover of "Life in Tokyo" featured an abstract design that mirrored the song's innovative electronic sound. This was in tune with their focus on image, fashion, and aesthetics, elements which played an important role in their prominence in the New Romantic movement of the 1980s.
Song's Influence
"Life in Tokyo" marked a turning point in the band's musical style, moving from their earlier guitar-based glam rock roots towards a more electronic and synth-based sound. This pioneering sound would later influence various New Romantic and synth-pop acts in the 1980s
Re-recorded Versions
The song was re-recorded and re-released several times, most notably in 1982 for the album "Assemblage" and a 12" version was released which became a big club hit.
Legacy Factor
Despite Japan being relatively unknown in their homeland at the time of original release, "Life in Tokyo" has become one of their best-known songs, and one released ahead of its time, with its groundbreaking woogie-boogie synthesizer bassline, adding to their legacy in the world of pop music.

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