European Son

The song was written by David Sylvian in 1978 following the band's US tour. It was intended to be the title track of Japan's third album and Sylvian intended to record it with disco producer Giorgio Moroder. However, this did not happen as Moroder preferred the song Life in Tokyo. Japan then recorded the song with Simon Napier-Bell and it was mixed by John Punter. European Son was first released in Japan as the B-side of the single I Second That Emotion and on a Canadian Special Edition EP. In 1981 it was released as the B-side of the UK single Life in Tokyo and was included on the album Assemblage. Later that year a version remixed by Steve Nye was released as a single and became a hit on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 31.

[Verse 1] Scurrying across the broadwalk Some places I tend to forget The air clings deep in my throat It's so cold in this luncheonette, well [Pre-Chorus] Somebody wants to know you An ordinary boy Somebody wants to know you A standard polaroid, well [Chorus] Here I am European son Sometimes the passenger European son Here I am European son Sometimes the passenger European son [Verse 2] Suffragettes in Washington Disposable serviettes Searching for the quiet life There's no love in this luncheonette, well [Pre-Chorus] Somebody wants to know you An ordinary boy Somebody wants to know you A standard polaroid, well [Chorus] Here I am European son Sometimes the passenger European son [Instrumental Break] [Chorus] Here I am European son Sometimes the passenger European son Here I am European son Sometimes the passenger European son European son European son European son European son Somebody wants to know you (European son) An ordinary boy (European son) European son (European son)