Gentlemen Take Polaroids (song)

"Gentlemen Take Polaroids" is a song by English new wave band Japan, released as a single from the album of the same name in October 1980. It was the band's first charting single in the UK, peaking at number 60.^[3]

"Gentlemen Take Polaroids"
Single by Japan
from the album Gentlemen Take Polaroids
B-side	"The Experience of Swimming"
Released	10 October 1980 (1980-10-10)^[1]
Genre	Eurodisco^[2]
Length	3:28 (single version) 7:08 (album version)
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	David Sylvian
Producer(s)	John Punter
Japan singles chronology
"I Second That Emotion" (1980) "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" (1980) "The Art of Parties" (1981)

Reception

The single was the band's first release under Virgin Records and "established a clever music bridge between the refined groove of Quiet Life and the band's forthcoming LP".^[4] The song was popular with club DJs: Nick Rhodes regularly played it at the Rum Runner, and Rusty Egan played it at the Blitz.^[5]

It has been described as a "dynamic masterpiece alternating between the experimental, free-floating middle parts, and the casual pop chorus found throughout the song".^[6] However, reviewing the song for Record Mirror, Ronnie Gurr described the single as having an "awful title and mellifluously nondescript Roxy rip-off A-side. Elsewhere Eno's school of modern bland-out muzak that's so dull and nondescript, one can't ignore the fact the damn stuff takes hold".^[7]

Track listings

7-inch: Virgin / VS 379 (UK)^[1]

1. "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" – 3:28
2. "The Experience of Swimming" – 4:04

7-inch: Virgin / 102 513 (Germany)^[8]

1. "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" – 3:28
2. "The Width of a Room" – 3:14

7-inch: Virgin / VIPX-1550 (Japan)^[9]

1. "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" – 3:28
2. "Burning Bridges" – 3:59

Double 7-inch EP: Virgin / VS 379 (UK)^[1]

1. "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" – 3:28
2. "The Experience of Swimming" – 4:04
3. "The Width of a Room" – 3:12
4. "Burning Bridges" – 3:59

Mini CD EP: Virgin / CDT 32 (UK, 1988)^[1]

1. "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" – 7:05
2. "Cantonese Boy" – 3:44
3. "Methods of Dance" – 6:53

Personnel

Japan

• David Sylvian – vocals
• Richard Barbieri – synthesizers
• Mick Karn – fretless bass, saxophone, oboe
• Rob Dean – guitar
• Steve Jansen – drums

Technical

• Nigel Walker – engineer
• Steve Prestage – engineer
• Nicola Tyson – photography
• Steve Chivers – assisted photography

Charts

Chart (1980)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)^[3]	60

References

1. "Japan Discography - The Virgin Years". discog.info. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
2. Raggett, Ned. Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids (1980) Review at AllMusic. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
3. "Japan: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
4. Power, Martin (2012-04-10). David Sylvian: The Last Romantic. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-820-1.
5. ":: Welcome to the ANTHONY REYNOLDS :: Official WebSite ::". www.anthonyreynolds.net. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
6. "Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids (album review ) | Sputnikmusic". www.sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
7. "Singles" (PDF). Record Mirror: 14. 11 October 1980. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
8. "Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
9. "Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids = 孤独な影". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-10-26.