"Crystal Japan" is an instrumental piece written by David Bowie and released as a single in Japan in spring 1980.[1] It was recorded during the Scary Monsters sessions that year.[2][3] The instrumental was used in a Japanese commercial for the shochu 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.[4] Originally titled "Fuji Moto San",[5] it was apparently intended to close the Scary Monsters album until replaced by "It's No Game (No. 2)".[2][3]

"Crystal Japan"
Single by David Bowie
B-side"Alabama Song"
ReleasedSpring 1980
Recorded1979
GenreAmbient
Length3:08
LabelRCA
553270 (Japan)
Songwriter(s)David Bowie
Producer(s)
David Bowie singles chronology
"Alabama Song"
(1980)
"Crystal Japan"
(1980)
"Ashes to Ashes"
(1980)

Track listing

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

Other releases

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Crystal Japan". Pushing Ahead of the Dame. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  2. ^ a b Chris O'Leary (2019). Ashes to Ashes: The Songs of David Bowie, 1976-2016: p. 163
  3. ^ a b Nicholas Pegg (2016). The Complete David Bowie: p. 67
  4. ^ Roy Carr & Charles Shaar Murray (1981). Bowie: An Illustrated Record: p.108
  5. ^ David Buckley (1999). Strange Fascination – David Bowie: The Definitive Story: p.366
  6. ^ "A NEW CAREER IN A NEW TOWN (1977 – 1982) - David Bowie Latest News". DavidBowie.com. 22 July 2016. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  7. ^ Hamish Brown (20 February 2013). "The best David Bowie tracks you've never heard". The List. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Japanese Crystal Japan Tv Campaign And 45 Are Thirty". DavidBowie.com. 7 April 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2020.

References

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