The Art of Parties

"The Art of Parties"
Single by Japan
from the album Tin Drum
B-side	"Life Without Buildings" "My New Career" (Australia and Japan)
Released	1 May 1981 (1981-05-01)
Recorded	March 1981
Studio	Basing Street Studios. London
Genre	Art pop new wave
Length	3:55 (7") 6:41 (12")
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	David Sylvian
Producer(s)	John Punter Japan
Japan singles chronology
"Gentlemen Take Polaroids" (1980) "The Art of Parties" (1981) "Visions of China" (1981)

The Art of Parties is a song by the British band Japan.

It was released as a single in May 1981 and reached number 48 on the UK Singles Chart.^[1] A re-worked version was subsequently included as the opening track on the band's album Tin Drum released later in 1981, keeping parts of the original Punter-produced version including guitars.^[2] A live version of the song is included on Japan's 1983 album Oil on Canvas and on the DVD release The Very Best of Japan.

Critical reception

Upon its release, Smash Hits' Mark Ellen described the single as "a safety shot"; "This keeps a finger in every pie known to modern music. A 12" with titles filched from the Talking Heads camp, the topside's technical funk with Sylvian's voice a rare bond of operatic Bowie and Ferry at his most plaintive. The reverse is a few of their favourite synths. Good."^[3]

Personnel

On "The Art of Parties":

• David Sylvian — lead vocals, guitars, treated piano, brass arrangements
• Richard Barbieri — synthesizers
• Mick Karn — fretless bass, brass arrangements
• Steve Jansen — drums, percussion
• backing vocals – Jay Yates, Pearly Gates, Ruby James
• horns — Cliff Hardy, Martin Drover, Mel Collins

On "Life Without Buildings":

• David Sylvian — lead vocals, synthetic brass
• Richard Barbieri — synthesizers, tapes
• Mick Karn — fretless bass, finger cymbals
• Steve Jansen — drums, acoustic and synthetic percussion^[4]

Technical

• John Punter — production, mixing
• Andy Lyden — engineer

Track listings

7": Virgin / VS 409 (UK)^[5]

1. "The Art of Parties" – 3.55
2. "Life Without Buildings" – 6:40

12": Virgin / VS 409-12 (UK)

1. "The Art of Parties" – 6.41
2. "Life Without Buildings" – 6.40

7": Virgin / VS 409 / VIPX-1580 (Australia and Japan)

1. "The Art of Parties" – 3.55
2. "My New Career" – 3.52

12": Virgin / VS 409-12 (Australia)

1. "The Art of Parties" – 6:41
2. "My New Career" – 3:52

EP: Virgin / VEP 305 (Canada)^[6]

1. "The Art of Parties" – 6:41
2. "The Width of a Room" – 3:14
3. "Life Without Buildings" – 6:40
4. "The Experience of Swimming" – 4:06

7" Promo: Virgin / 0267 (Spain, 1982)

1. "The Art of Parties" (album version) – 4:11
2. "Visions of China" – 3:55

References

1. The Art of Parties Official Charts
2. anthonyreynoldswork (2018-09-05). "Excerpt from Japan : A Foreign Place. Chapter 8 : "The Tin Drum."". anthonyreynoldswork. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
3. Ellen, Mark. "Singles". Smash Hits volume 63 30 April 1981. p. 28.
4. "Japan - The Art Of Parties". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
5. "Japan Nightporter - History of Japan by Paul Rymer". www.nightporter.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
6. "Japan - The Art Of Parties". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-10-21.