Life In Tokyo
A
breakthrough single in many ways, this led to the "Quiet Life" album
and greater UK success. A classic pop song with a big Giorgio Moroder
production. There are a multitude of remixes and different sleeve
variations of this song.
Many thanks to Mark,
Charles, Chris, Alan, John and Matthew for scans and info on these
releases.
The following FAQ on the versions of Life In Tokyo was published on the
Japan-Pioneers Yahoo! Group:
Life In Tokyo was written and recorded in
March 1979 in
Los Angeles by David Sylvian and Giorgio Moroder. Japan originally
wanted to record European Son with the producer but Moroder preferred
to work on a backing track he had already prepared. He gave Sylvian
four demo songs and then went for a long lunch. While he was out
Sylvian had fitted some lyric ideas he had formulated on the plane to
one of Moroder's pieces and had re-arranged the chosen track. Later on
the same week, the rest of Japan arrived and added their parts (thanks to Simon Napier-Bell for the information).
At this time, two distinct full length versions were prepared. One was
timed at 6min 18sec and was not released until 1982/3 when it came out
on the UK special edition cassette of Assemblage and on the Japanese
vinyl LP. In 1986 it was released as a 12" single by Old Gold. There
was also a single length edit (4m 2sec) of this track prepared that did
not come out on a Japan release until 1989, "A Souvenir From Japan".
However, an even shorter edit (2m 55sec) of it was released in '82 on
the K-Tel compilation "Street Scene".
The mix chosen for release in 1979
(AHA540/AHAD540) (and
used for the 1981 re-issue on HANSA4 and HANSA124) is timed at 7mins 5
secs. It is the one that was on the red vinyl 12". The short version of
it appeared on Assemblage and is also the soundtrack to the video. It
is probably the mix most people should be familiar with.
In late 1981, following the success of Quiet Life, Hansa mooted the
idea of releasing Adolescent Sex as a single. The group were not at all
happy about this and decided to take some more control over the single
re-issues. They wanted the group represented as best as possible and so
got involved with the sleeve designs, approved mixes by Steve Nye and
so on. When it came to Life In Tokyo there was no credit for a remixer
but I believe the group themselves did the job. Mick definitely
overdubbed his bass and the drums also have a lot more kick. The b-side
"Theme" version was also made at the same time.
Here is a list of all the mixes in order of
release:
1. Life In Tokyo (3.30) - the original 7" version from 1979
(re-issued 1981 and on Assemblage). Camera on the sleeve in most
countries. On the original 12" single b-side it is called the "Short
Version" or "Part 1". In 1981, this was re-issued on the single with
catalogue number HANSA4, with European Son on the b-side. It is also
the soundtrack to the video on "The Very Best of Japan" DVD.
2. Life In Tokyo (Part 2) (3.29) - the original b-side and only
released on CD in Japan (on the 2-CD Assemblage and on The Singles).
3. Life In Tokyo (Long Version) 7.05 - the original 12". This is the
mix that was included by mistake on initial pressings of the digipack
remaster of Assemblage. It is also on The Singles Japanese CD and the
2CD Japanese Assemblage. This mix has been given different names
depending on the country it was released in - I have seen it called
"Disco Mix", "Long Version", "Part 1 - Extended Mix" and so on. There
is a rather good fan made video for this on YouTube at the moment.
4. Life In Tokyo (remix) (6.18) - released on the Special Edition
Double Play cassette of Assemblage in the UK as Track 1 on side 2. It
was recorded in 1979 but not released until 1982. It is the one with
extra synths, less saxophone and no guitar. In 1983 it was Track 1 side
1 of the Japanese Assemblage vinyl LP. In 1986 it was released on a 12"
single by Old Gold, who also included it on their CD "The Best of Synth
Gold". In 1996 a wrongly mastered (mono) version of it came out on the
CD "In Vogue". In 2006 it was included on the re-released Assemblage,
under the name "Life In Tokyo 1982 mix".
5. Life In Tokyo (Special Remix) (3.59) - mixed in 1982 and overdubbed
by the group (unless someone very very good impersonated Mick Karn,
which I very much doubt). Also appears on the remastered Assemblage CD
and the Japanese Singles 2CD set. Sleeve has Sylvian in silhouette in
the window of a room at the Keio Plaza Hotel. On the back sleeve there
is a painting of Sylvian by Mulligan from Fashion.
6. Life In Tokyo (Theme) - the really slow instrumental version that
was on the b-side of the 1982 release. If played on a 78rpm turntable
it is at the "correct" pitch.
7. Life In Tokyo (Extended Remix) (7.05) -
full length version of No5. Best to hear Karn's bass - lots of fretless
action!
8. Life In Tokyo (K-Tel mix) (2.55). An edit on the K-Tel album Street
Scene, released in 1982. This is a shorter version of No4 on this list.
9. Life In Tokyo (Souvenir from Japan mix) 4.02. Only on the CD "A
Souvenir From Japan" (1989). Very similar to the No4 (see above) and
K-Tel versions but with some additional electronic percussion from
after the first chorus.
10. Bootleg vinyl mix released in 2004/05 and sold by Sister Ray in
London. This was edited from the No3 mix on this list, the original 12".
Finally, there is a mono version of the single mix, on a US promotional
7" and an unofficial (and awful IMHO) mix by "Sanny X" on a DMC album.
Trivia: In the movie "Scanners" in one scene there is a crash in a
record shop where there are displays of the original "Life In Tokyo".
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UK
Promo 7" and 12" copies have a large A at the centre (see scan) and "not for sale" above
the Ariola Hansa logo. Both promos came with the standard picture
sleeve.
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UK red vinyl 7" Hansa AHA-540
A:
Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
B: Life In Tokyo (Part Two) 3.29
UK red vinyl 12": AHAD-540
A:
Life In Tokyo (Long Version) 7.05
B: Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
Some
with "Camera" picture sleeve, others with "Ariola Disco" sleeve.
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German black vinyl 7" Hansa 100.641
German
black vinyl 12" Hansa 600048213. A side titled "Disco Version" - it is
the same as the first UK 12" (AKA Long Version). The 12" also has the
legend "Super Sound Single" at the top, and an article in German and
English about the format.
Both 7" and 12" have the following article on the back sleeve:
:
"JAPAN the most individual group of the London rockscene - always keen
on experimenting - causes confusion once again: In the beginning of
this year, the branch was amazed by the news, that the young
rock-avantgardistes met an established disco-producer in a studio of
L.A.: This years winner of the "Oscar" and "Golden Globe" Giorgio
Moroder. Together they tinkered at a new song, in which the group
digested the fresh impressions of the sensational live-concert in the
Budokan Hall in Tokyo: "Life In Tokyo"."
A:
Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
B: Life In Tokyo (Part Two) 3.29
12" version:
A:
Life In Tokyo (Long Version) 7.05 (called "Disco Version")
B: Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
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French black vinyl 7"
Carerre
49.497
A:
Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
B: Life In Tokyo (Part Two) 3.29
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Spanish
7" Ariola 100.641
A:
Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
B: Life In Tokyo (Part Two) 3.29
Thanks to Toby for
this one!
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Japanese black vinyl 7"
Victor
VIP-2745.
A:
Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
B: Life In Tokyo (Part Two) 3.29
Top
image - picture insert, bottom image - white label promo
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Italian 7" Ariola Hansa/Ricordi International SIR
20213
A:
Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
B: Life In Tokyo (Part Two) 3.29
This is very hard to
find. If you see it, even in poor condition get it!
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Canadian 7" AHA540X (label scan provided by Chris
Rickards)
Canadian 12" (with
"camera" picture cover same as the UK 12") AHAD 12-540. The rear of the
Canadian sleeve includes an advertisement for "Adolescent Sex" and
"Obscure Alternatives". It's a really nice, thick card sleeve with the
band and track details printed on the spine.
A:
Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
B: Life In Tokyo (Part Two) 3.29
12" version:
A:
Life In Tokyo (Long Version) 7.05
B: Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
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Mexican label (Matt's copy)
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Mexican 12". Many thanks to Matt and Tom for
this.
Note
that it plays at 33RPM and unlike the other 12" singles here includes "Part 2".
A:
Life In Tokyo (Long Version) 7.05
B: Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
A second version has an extra track on the B side,
Life In Tokyo (Part 2) 3.29
It is impossible to tell which is the earlier pressing as both are dated 1979.
Alternate version of the Mexican label
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Dutch promo 7"
A:
Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
B: Life In Tokyo (Mono Short Version) 3.30
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USA promo 7" SPRO-7724
A:
Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
B: Life In Tokyo (Mono Short Version) 3.30
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USA
12" promo PRO-7756
A:
Life In Tokyo (Long Version) 7.05
B: Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
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Dutch promo ARI 600377
A:
Life In Tokyo (Long Version) 7.05
B: Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
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Australian
7"
A:
Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
B: Life In Tokyo (Part Two) 3.29
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Life In Tokyo/Love Is Infectious USA 7" and 12"
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Ariola America 7756 (thanks to Chris Rickards for
the information)
A:
Life In Tokyo 3.30
B: Love Is Infectious 4.08
12":
A: Life In Tokyo 7.05
B: Love Is Infectious 4.08
Ariola Records America AR-9019
USA 12" label
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| 1st Reissue: April 1981 |
UK, Germany and Holland |
Dutch and UK picture sleeve front and back |
The 7" and 12" mixes of "Life In Tokyo" are the
same as on the 1979 release. The 7" mix of "European Son" is the one
found on "Assemblage" but the 12" is a rare extended version by John
Punter.
UK
7" HANSA 4
Dutch
7" 103269
A:
Life In Tokyo (Short Version) 3.30
B: European Son 3.37
Dutch 7" label from 1981
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UK re-issue 12" from 1981
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12" version: HANSA124
A: Life In Tokyo (Long Version) 7.05
B: European Son (Long Version) 5.00 |
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German 7" 103 269-100
German
12" 600377
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| 2nd reissue: October 1982 |
UK & Ireland |
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This
issue finally made "Life In Tokyo" a hit and it was fully supported by
the group themselves, with Sylvian co-ordinating the sleeve design.
Both sides are remixed and there is a new 12" remix too. The b-side,
"Life In Tokyo Theme" is a slowed down mix which could be enjoyed at
the usual speed if played on a 78rpm turntable. Listening to it again
now it sounds like an Orb remix! It's quite cool really...
Unfortunately, Radio One played this side a couple of times by mistake
during the weekly Top 40 countdown, which I believe certain contributed
to it losing a significant amount of sales. Chart position: 28.
Two slightly different 7" labels exist - the only difference is the
position of the publishing info. One is a jukebox version of the single
with a large centre hole. |
1982 jukebox single
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7" version + jukebox single: HANSA17
A: Life In Tokyo (special remix) 3.59
B: Life In Tokyo (Theme) 3.54
12" version: HANSA1217
A: Life In Tokyo (extended remix) 7.05
B: Life In Tokyo (Theme) 3.54
This is a scan of the
back of the 7" sleeve, showing the portrait of Sylvian painted by
Mulligan from the group Fashion. One of Mulligan's original portraits
was given away by Smash Hits as part of a competition. The competition
version differs from this one as it includes a Japan logo and the song
title. It is likely that Mulligan hoped that his portrait would make it
to the front of the single sleeve. Whatever, Sylvian chose a photograph
taken in Tokyo by Yuka Fujii.
UK re-issue 12" from 1982
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Irish
7" sleeve (same as the UK version) and label. This is nice as the UK
labels are silver injection moulded with the 12" having the "grid"
design. Thanks to Toby for this one. |
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Polish postcard single
Tonpress
R-0971.
Extremely
rare. Thanks to Gary for providing the scan. There is a higher
resolution version here.
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2005 DJ remix 12" backed with Quiet Life. This is not an official
release and has no catalogue number. |
