My Gen X Playlist: Big in Japan – Alphaville

When I lived in Japan, a friend made a comment that it was a strange revelation living as a minority. I remember him saying that everyday was difficult. It wasn’t only because he didn’t speak the language, but he also felt the impact of being different. Admittedly, he didn’t experience any negative actions or words towards him. On the contrary, everyone was quite respectful. But living in a country where he was on the other side of the fence, that began to weigh on him.

To me that sounded like an ah-hah moment. Many people will go through life never understanding what it’s like living as a minority. It’s not a good or bad thing, nor a judgement. It’s just a reality of life. In a way, it was like my friend was given an obscure gift. I suggested he try to remember this exact feeling so he might return home with a different perspective. I truly believe that empathy is a very powerful change agent. I’m curious how different our country might be if many knew what it is like to experience this, if only for a sliver of time. I’ve lost touch with him over the years and often wondered if that moment stayed with him. I really hope it did.

While writing this post, Big in Japan came to mind. I’m 6’3” and I physically was big in Japan. I always wondered if this song poked fun at people from Japan. I’m glad to learn it didn’t but holy crap, here is what the song is really about.

‘Big In Japan’ tells about a couple of lovers trying to get off heroin. They both imagine how great it would be to love without the drug: no stealing, no clients, no ice age in the pupil, real emotions, true worlds.

Songfacts

“That line about being big in Japan has been misinterpreted by all sorts of people who like the song. That line has a certain meaning. It means that if you’re a complete loser, you’re telling other people, ‘I’m not a loser because in Japan I’m really big.’ It’s the lie of the loser and it fitted perfectly into the story of these junkies, which the song is about, in a very tragic way.

Songwritingmagazine

I read the lyrics a few times and vaguely can crosswalk them to the song’s backstory. Vaguely. Thank goodness my time abroad was nothing like the inspiration of the song. It certainly impacted my life, though.

For those who’ve lived abroad understand the roller coaster ride it can be, not only daily living, but emotionally as well. This was over thirty years ago and that year has become a part of who I am, albeit mostly subconsciously. Once in a blue moon I reminisce about it, remembering the wonderful experiences – and there were many. The challenging days, those downward slopes on the roller coaster sometimes peek out and that’s fine. It wouldn’t have been real life without the balance of the two. Everyone experiences the same environment differently, each with their own personal narratives running through their heads. While I can find both overlap and distinction with my friend’s experience, I also recognize mine is unique mine. Did I return home with a different perspective? It certainly was difficult not to. It really was an unexpected and obscure gift.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Winter's cityside
Crystal bits of snowflakes
All around my head and in the wind
I had no illusions
That I'd ever find a glimpse
Of summer's heatwaves in your eyes

You did what you did to me
Now it's history, I see
Here's my comeback on the road again
Things will happen while they can
I will wait here for my man, tonight
It's easy when you're big in Japan

Oh, when you're big in Japan, tonight
Big in Japan, be tight
Big in Japan, ooh, the eastern sea's so blue
Big in Japan, alright
Pay, then I'll sleep by your side
Things are easy when you're big in Japan
Oh, when you're big in Japan

Neon on my naked skin, passing silhouettes
Of strange illuminated mannequins
Shall I stay here at the zoo
Or should I go and change my point of view
For other ugly scenes
You did what you did to me
Now it's history I see
Things will happen while they can
I will wait here for my man, tonight
It's easy when you're big in Japan

Oh, when you're big in Japan, tonight
Big in Japan, be tight
Big in Japan, ooh, the eastern sea's so blue
Big in Japan, alright
Pay, then I'll sleep by your side
Things are easy when you're big in Japan
Oh, when you're big in Japan

Oh, when you're big in Japan, tonight
Big in Japan, be tight
Big in Japan, ooh, the eastern sea's so blue
Big in Japan, alright
Pay, then I'll sleep by your side
Things are easy when you're big in Japan
Oh, when you're big in Japan
Tonight
Big in Japan, be tight
Big in Japan, ooh, the eastern sea's so blue
Big in Japan, alright
Pay, then I'll sleep by your side
Things are easy when you're big in Japan
Oh, when you're big in Japan