Japanese Tears
Encyclopedia
Japanese Tears is the third album by guitarist Denny Laine
, released shortly before the demise of Paul McCartney
's band Wings
, of which Laine was a member. The album was released in 1980 (see 1980 in music
).
) instead of touring, putting Wings on hiatus.
Laine decided to work on his own solo project (his third since joining Wings), and he released a single, "Japanese Tears". It became the title track of his album. From the title, it appeared to be an attack on McCartney much like John Lennon's "How Do You Sleep?" in 1971; however, the lyrics shows that it more likely tells the tongue-in-cheek story of a Japanese fan's disappointment after Wings' tour was cancelled (or possibly even tears of excitement at Wings' arrival in Japan in the first place).
The album also included three previously unreleased Laine compositions -- "Send Me The Heart" (co-written by Paul McCartney), "I Would Only Smile", and "Weep For Love" -- that had been recorded by different versions of Wings between 1973 and 1979 with Laine singing lead. In addition, it featured remakes of the Moody Blues' 1965 hit "Go Now
", which Laine and Wings performed on tour, and a 1967 Laine composition, "Say You Don't Mind", that had become a top-20 UK hit in 1972 for Colin Blunstone
. Two other songs featured the short-lived Denny Laine Band, which included fellow Wings member Steve Holley on drums and Laine's wife Jo Jo on backing vocals.
This album has been reissued several times, under a variety of titles, on an assortment of labels.
, except where noted.
Wings
Jimmy McCulloch: Guitars, bass (1974)
Denny Laine
Denny Laine is an English songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, guitarist, and lead singer of The Moody Blues' 1965 debut album "The Magnificent Moodies"; and, later, best known for his role as co-founder of Wings...
, released shortly before the demise of Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
's band Wings
Wings (band)
Wings were a British-American rock group formed in 1971 by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney that remained active until 1981....
, of which Laine was a member. The album was released in 1980 (see 1980 in music
1980 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1980.-January–March:*January 1**Cliff Richard is appointed an MBE by Elizabeth II.**The Zorros audition drummer Greg Pedley....
).
Background
In January 1980, Wings planned a tour of Japan. However, upon the band's arrival at the airport in Japan, Paul McCartney was arrested for marijuana possession. The tour was eventually cancelled, and McCartney then decided to release a solo album (McCartney IIMcCartney II
McCartney II is the third album by Paul McCartney, and the first since the formation of Wings in 1971. It was released in 1980, a year before the band's dissolution and while their future lay in limbo...
) instead of touring, putting Wings on hiatus.
Laine decided to work on his own solo project (his third since joining Wings), and he released a single, "Japanese Tears". It became the title track of his album. From the title, it appeared to be an attack on McCartney much like John Lennon's "How Do You Sleep?" in 1971; however, the lyrics shows that it more likely tells the tongue-in-cheek story of a Japanese fan's disappointment after Wings' tour was cancelled (or possibly even tears of excitement at Wings' arrival in Japan in the first place).
The album also included three previously unreleased Laine compositions -- "Send Me The Heart" (co-written by Paul McCartney), "I Would Only Smile", and "Weep For Love" -- that had been recorded by different versions of Wings between 1973 and 1979 with Laine singing lead. In addition, it featured remakes of the Moody Blues' 1965 hit "Go Now
Go Now (song)
"Go Now" is a 1964 song composed by Larry Banks and Milton Bennett. It was first recorded by Bessie Banks, and most successfully by The Moody Blues.-Bessie Banks:The song was first recorded by Larry Banks' former wife, Bessie Banks...
", which Laine and Wings performed on tour, and a 1967 Laine composition, "Say You Don't Mind", that had become a top-20 UK hit in 1972 for Colin Blunstone
Colin Blunstone
Colin Blunstone is an English pop singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the pop group The Zombies, and for his participation on various albums with The Alan Parsons Project.-Biography:...
. Two other songs featured the short-lived Denny Laine Band, which included fellow Wings member Steve Holley on drums and Laine's wife Jo Jo on backing vocals.
This album has been reissued several times, under a variety of titles, on an assortment of labels.
Track listing
All songs by Denny LaineDenny Laine
Denny Laine is an English songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, guitarist, and lead singer of The Moody Blues' 1965 debut album "The Magnificent Moodies"; and, later, best known for his role as co-founder of Wings...
, except where noted.
- "Japanese Tears" - 4:41
- "Danger Zone" - 3:06
- "Clock on the Wall" - 4:41
- "Send Me the Heart" (Denny Laine/Paul McCartney) - 3:35
- "Go NowGo Now (song)"Go Now" is a 1964 song composed by Larry Banks and Milton Bennett. It was first recorded by Bessie Banks, and most successfully by The Moody Blues.-Bessie Banks:The song was first recorded by Larry Banks' former wife, Bessie Banks...
" (Larry Banks/Milton Bennett) - 3:15 - "Same Mistakes" - 3:41
- "Silver" - 3:56
- "Say You Don't Mind" - 3:08
- "Somebody Ought to Know the Way" - 3:15
- "Lovers Might" - 3:01
- "Guess I'm Only Foolin'" - 2:30
- "Nothing to Go By" - 3:07
- "I Would Only Smile" - 3:18
- "Weep for Love" - 4:32
Personnel
The Denny Laine Band- Denny LaineDenny LaineDenny Laine is an English songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, guitarist, and lead singer of The Moody Blues' 1965 debut album "The Magnificent Moodies"; and, later, best known for his role as co-founder of Wings...
: Guitars, keyboards, piano, vocals. - Jo Jo LaineJo Jo LaineJo Jo Laine was an American singer, model and actress who married Moody Blues founder Denny Laine while he was a member of Paul McCartney's group Wings...
: Backing vocals. - Gordon Sellar: Bass guitar.
- Andy Richards: Keyboards, piano, organ.
- Mike Piggott: Violin.
- Steve Holley: Drums, percussion.
Wings
Wings (band)
Wings were a British-American rock group formed in 1971 by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney that remained active until 1981....
- Denny Laine: Guitars, organ, percussion, flute, vocals.
- Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
: Bass, drums, acoustic guitar, keyboards, backing vocals. - Linda McCartneyLinda McCartneyLinda Louise McCartney, Lady McCartney was an American photographer, musician and animal rights activist. Her father and mother were Lee Eastman and Louise Sara Lindner Eastman....
: Organ, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals. - Denny Seiwell: Drums, percussion (1973).
- Henry McCulloughHenry McCulloughHenry McCullough Henry McCullough Henry McCullough (born Henry Campbell Liken McCullough, 21 July 1943, Portstewart, Northern Ireland is an Irish guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, who has played guitar in such bands as Sweeney's Men, Spooky Tooth, Paul McCartney & Wings, and The Grease Band. He...
: Guitars (1973). - Laurence JuberLaurence JuberLaurence Juber is an English-born guitarist who currently lives in California. Born 12 November 1952 in Stepney, East London, he was raised and went to school in North London...
: Guitars (1979). - Steve Holley: Drums, percussion (1979).
- Howie CaseyHowie CaseyHoward William "Howie" Casey is a British rhythm and blues and rock saxophonist. He first came to prominence in the early 1960s as a member of Derry and the Seniors, the first rock and roll band from Liverpool to play clubs in Germany, and later, as leader of the renamed Howie Casey and the...
: Saxophone (1979). - Thaddeus Richards: Flute (1979).
Jimmy McCulloch: Guitars, bass (1974)
Reissues
- The Denny Laine Band - Weep for Love (Toshiba Records, 1983)
- Denny Laine, Paul McCartney & Friends - In Flight (Breakaway Records, 1984)
- Denny Laine & Friends - Danger Zone (LaserLight Records, 1995)
- Denny Laine - Go Now (Excerpts) (Prime Cuts, 1995)
- Denny Laine/Paul McCartney - Send Me the Heart (United Audio Entertainment, 2001)
- Denny Laine featuring Paul & Linda McCartney - Spreading My Wings (Cherry Red Records, 2002)
- Denny Laine with Paul McCartney - Send Me The Heart (United Audio Entertainment, 2005)