Ghosts (Japan song)
| "Ghosts" | ||||||||
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| Single by Japan | ||||||||
| from the album Tin Drum | ||||||||
| B-side | "The Art of Parties (Version)" | |||||||
| Released | March 1982 | |||||||
| Format | 7" and 12" vinyl | |||||||
| Recorded | 1981 | |||||||
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| Length | 3:55 | |||||||
| Label | Virgin | |||||||
| Writer(s) | David Sylvian | |||||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Japan singles chronology | ||||||||
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"Ghosts" is a song by English band Japan. It was released in edited form in March 1982 as the third single from their 1981 album Tin Drum.
It reached number 5 in the UK Singles Chart in April. Although it was their biggest hit, this was not enough to stop the band splitting a few months later.
Writing credits for the song are attributed exclusively to David Sylvian, while instruments credits on the single sleeve are attributed to Sylvian, Richard Barbieri and Steve Jansen, therefore excluding fourth band member Mick Karn. The lyrics describe deeply personal feelings. Sylvian has since said to Mojo magazine that "Ghosts" pre-empted the band splitting up: "It was the only time I let something of a personal nature come through and that set me on a path in terms of where I wanted to proceed in going solo."
"Ghosts" was released as the third single from Tin Drum in March 1982. It reached number 5 in the UK Singles Chart in April. Although it was their biggest hit, this was not enough to stop the band splitting a few months later. The group appeared on Top of the Pops on 18 March 1982 when the single was at number 42 in the charts. A week later it had shot up to number 16.
Bereft of drums, the minimalist track would not be described as a "commercially viable" single in most circumstances. However, Japan's popularity at the time, in addition to the early 1980s fashion for new wave music, allowed the single to become unexpectedly popular. Writing in Smash Hits, Tim de Lisle described the single as "arguably the best thing they've ever done –slow, spare and mesmerising".
The 7" single was an edited version of the original album track. The single version is featured on a bonus disc issued with the box set release of the Tin Drum album in 2003.
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