Crystal Japan
Encyclopedia
"Crystal Japan" is an instrumental piece written by David Bowie
and released as a single in Japan
in 1980. It was recorded in 1979 and used in a Japanese commercial for the sake Crystal Jun Rock, which also featured an appearance by Bowie, although the composer said at the time that the track was not specifically written for this purpose. Originally titled "Fuje Moto San", it was going to close the Scary Monsters
album until replaced by "It's No Game
(No. 2)".
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
and released as a single in Japan
Japan
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...
in 1980. It was recorded in 1979 and used in a Japanese commercial for the sake Crystal Jun Rock, which also featured an appearance by Bowie, although the composer said at the time that the track was not specifically written for this purpose. Originally titled "Fuje Moto San", it was going to close the Scary Monsters
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
Scary Monsters is an album by David Bowie, released in September 1980 by RCA Records. It was Bowie's final studio album for the label and his first following the so-called Berlin Trilogy of Low, "Heroes" and Lodger . Though considered significant in artistic terms, the trilogy had proved less...
album until replaced by "It's No Game
It's No Game
"It's No Game" is a song written by David Bowie for the 1980 album Scary Monsters , featuring lead guitar played by Robert Fripp...
(No. 2)".
Track listing
- "Crystal Japan" (David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
) – 3:27 - "Alabama Song" (Bertolt BrechtBertolt BrechtBertolt Brecht was a German poet, playwright, and theatre director.An influential theatre practitioner of the 20th century, Brecht made equally significant contributions to dramaturgy and theatrical production, the latter particularly through the seismic impact of the tours undertaken by the...
, Kurt WeillKurt WeillKurt Julian Weill was a German-Jewish composer, active from the 1920s, and in his later years in the United States. He was a leading composer for the stage who was best known for his fruitful collaborations with Bertolt Brecht...
) – 4:51
Other releases
- It was released as the B-side to the single "Up the Hill BackwardsUp the Hill Backwards"Up the Hill Backwards" is a song from David Bowie's 1980 album Scary Monsters . It was also issued as the fourth and final single from the album in March 1981...
" in March 1981. "Teenage WildlifeTeenage Wildlife"Teenage Wildlife" is a song written by David Bowie in 1980 for the album Scary Monsters . Running at almost seven minutes, the song was the longest track on Scary Monsters, and Bowie's longest composition since "Station to Station" four years prior in 1976.Aside from "Ashes to Ashes", "Teenage...
" was originally slated as the B-side for "Up the Hill Backwards" until Bowie found out the prices fans were paying for the import single of "Crystal Japan", and insisted the track got a UK release. - In 1992 it was released as a bonus track on the RykodiscRykodiscRykodisc Records is an American record label. It is owned by Warner Music Group, operates as a unit of WMG's Independent Label Group and is distributed through Alternative Distribution Alliance.-Company history:...
reissue of the album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)Scary Monsters is an album by David Bowie, released in September 1980 by RCA Records. It was Bowie's final studio album for the label and his first following the so-called Berlin Trilogy of Low, "Heroes" and Lodger . Though considered significant in artistic terms, the trilogy had proved less...
. - It also appeared on the compilations Rare in 1982 and All SaintsAll Saints (David Bowie)All Saints is the name of two different compilation albums by David Bowie, the first released privately in 1993, and the second in 2001 by EMI, both featuring his instrumental work....
in 2001. - The song's melody was also modified by Trent ReznorTrent ReznorMichael Trent Reznor is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, and leader of industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Reznor is also a member of How to Destroy Angels alongside his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and Atticus Ross. He was previously associated with bands Option 30,...
for "A Warm Place," a track from the 1994 The Downward SpiralThe Downward SpiralThe Downward Spiral is the second studio album by American industrial rock act Nine Inch Nails, released March 8, 1994, on Interscope Records. It is a concept album detailing the destruction of a man, from the beginning of his "downward spiral" to his climactic attempt at suicide...
album by Nine Inch NailsNine Inch NailsNine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
.
Cover versions
- AnonymousAnonymous (band)Anonymous is a band from Andorra that in 2007 represented the country with the song "Salvem el món" in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 after winning the national selection. The song, however, failed to make it through past the semi-final stage....
– Top 10 Party Dance Cassette - The Drop Outs – Ashes to Ashes: A Tribute to David Bowie (1998)