"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.

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^[3]

Technical

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

Track listings

7": Virgin / VS 409 (UK)^[4]

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)^[5]

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