Crystal Japan

"Crystal Japan"
Single by David Bowie
B-side	"Alabama Song"
Released	February 1980
Format	7" single
Recorded	1979
Genre	Ambient
Length	3:08
Label	RCA Records 553270 (Japan)
Writer(s)	David Bowie
Producer(s)	David Bowie Tony Visconti
David Bowie singles chronology
"Alabama Song" (1980) "Crystal Japan" (1980) "Ashes to Ashes" (1980)

"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 he said at the time that the track was not specifically written for this purpose.^[1] Originally titled "Fuji Moto San",^[2] it was going to close the Scary Monsters album until replaced by "It's No Game (No. 2)".

Track listing

1. "Crystal Japan" (David Bowie) – 3:08
2. "Alabama Song" (Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill) – 4:51

Other releases

• It was released as the B-side to the single "Up the Hill Backwards" in March 1981. "Teenage Wildlife" 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 Rykodisc reissue of the album Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps).
• It also appeared on the compilations Rare in 1982 and All Saints in 2001.

Cover versions

• Anonymous – Top 10 Party Dance Cassette
• The Drop Outs – Ashes to Ashes: A Tribute to David Bowie (1998)

Notes

1. Roy Carr & Charles Shaar Murray (1981). Bowie: An Illustrated Record: p.108
2. David Buckley (1999). Strange Fascination – David Bowie: The Definitive Story: p.366

References

• Pegg, Nicholas, The Complete David Bowie, Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, 2000, ISBN 978-1-903111-14-7

External links