Story Behind The Song

My songwriting partner, Ivan Alexiev, came over one day with a new idea and all he had was basically one chord (Dm). We sat across from each other and, both with acoustic guitars, started jamming on that D-minor chord. At some point I came up with the funky bass line and we then started thinking of how to accommodate it in the arrangement. I was thinking of David Bowie that day (as one does) and the song "Fame" came to mind. I said "Fashion!" and then Ivan also said it and we started laughing and sort of repeating it, so for a couple of minutes all we were singing was "Fashion" until ideas started pouring out that we would attach after the solitary word. The whole song came together rather quickly, with me coming up with the chords for the bridge section and Ivan supplying lyrics for it (which happen to be my favorite in the song). I recorded all the instruments and vocals for it in my home studio and co-produced it with Magga, who changed some of the synth sounds and added his characteristic sonic shine to the production. Magga also mixed and mastered the song.

Song Description

"Japanese Dolls" starts off with a solid dance drum beat and funky bass line. Shortly after, the main riff comes in which features electric guitar and synths, after which the first verse kicks off. The song features a modern sound and is reminiscent of a fashion show or discotheque. The lyrics tell the story of a person who is disillusioned with modern life and the constant ever-changing fads that surround him. In the bridge section of the song we hear the character admitting that his personality feels damaged, and that his life feels like a series of broken Japanese dolls. Some of my influences for the lyrics came from dystopian cyberpunk novels such as "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?", "Neuromancer" and "Idoru". The lyrics in the verses are reminiscent of David Bowie's "Fame". While my partner and I were writing it we would take turns saying "Fashion!" and record ideas for what should come after it, that was how the ideas in this song really came to life.

Lyrics

Fashion, do you like what you see
Fashion, the product is me
Fashion, it's the future and past
Oh, fashion, you're first or you're last

On and on, singing your song off the radio
I can't stand it, I just can't listen to you anymore

Fashion, I'm ashamed to be me
Fashion, the price of being free
Fashion, you're alone all the time
Oh, fashion, what's yours is mine

On and on, singing your song off the radio
I can't stand it, I just can't listen to you anymore
On and on, singing your song off the radio
I can't stand it, I just can't listen to you

Do you like my feet better
I'm wearing new shoes
Their color don't matter
I'm dancing the blues
Do-Si-Do to the doorway
I'll see myself out
Personality's damaged
With or without
Broken Japanese dolls
Broken Japanese dolls