(Album; released in 2013)
All though this song is pre-divorce of Julian and his now ex-wife, it does not seem to come from his point of view.
At the time, RCA seemed to expect a new album from them and the annoyance of the band itself somewhat shows in this track. The song hints at the story line...
[Verse]
If we don't watch the sun, it will rise
If we don't take our time, it's not wise
Putting posters up for your band
(Hey, we're playing a gig tonight if you wanna come by)
Now I'll tear them down with my hand
[Pre-Chorus]
I didn't want to notice
Didn't know the gun was loaded
Didn't really know this
What kind of asshole drives a Lotus?
[Chorus]
Come here and go get with me
I wanna see you Wednesday
Come on, come on, come over
Take it off your shoulder
Come on and pull me over
We gotta get to work now
Sliding it off your shoulder
As we're falling over
[Bridge]
Oh, welcome to Japan!
Scuba-dancing!
Touchdown!
[Pre-Chorus]
I didn't want to notice
Didn't know the gun was loaded
Didn't really know this
What kind of asshole drives a Lotus?
I didn't want to bore you
Didn't wanna pick up your shit for ya
I've been ready to do this
I'll be there
[Chorus]
Come here and go get with me
I wanna see you Wednesday
Come on, come on, come over
Take it off your shoulder
Come on and pull me over (I don't mind)
We gotta get to work now
Sliding it off your shoulder (I don't mind)
As we're falling over
[Bridge]
You did it alone, you did it for fun
You did it for everyone who's on the run
You're not just a friend, you're me born again
We'll be in this race until the very end
He lives on the phone, he cheats on his clone
You'll never believe me 'til you're on your own
[Outro]
Comes in once a month
And he never leaves
He said he is broken
That they're lost friends
Didn't wanna floor ya
I didn't wanna be there for ya
Didn't wanna warn ya
I'll be there
Welcome to Japan was written by Nick Valensi & Albert Hammond Jr. & Julian Casablancas.
Welcome to Japan was produced by Gus Oberg.
The Strokes released Welcome to Japan on Tue Mar 26 2013.