“Crystal Japan” is an instrumental piece and was released as a single in Japan in 1980. It was recorded in 1979 and used in a Japanese commercial for the sake 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. Originally titled “Fuje Moto San”, it was going to close the Scary Monsters album until replaced by “It’s No Game (No. 2)”.
Track listing
“Crystal Japan” (David Bowie) – 3:08
“Alabama Song” (Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill) – 4:51
Other releases
It was released as the B-side to the single “Up the Hill Backwards” in March 1981. “Teenage Wildlife” was originally slated as the B-side for “Up the Hill Backwards” until Bowie found out the prices fans were paying for the import single of “Crystal Japan”, and insisted the track got a UK release.
In 1992 it was released as a bonus track on the Rykodisc reissue of the album Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps).
It also appeared on the compilations Rare in 1982 and All Saints in 2001.
