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

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

On "Life Without Buildings":

• lead vocals
  , synthetic brass
• Richard Barbieri — synthesizers, tapes
• finger cymbals
• percussion^[2]

7": Virgin / VS 409 (UK)[3]

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)^[4]

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