Japanese Whispers

Japanese Whispers is the third compilation album by British group the Cure. It was released in late 1983 by Fiction Records.

Japanese Whispers
Compilation album by The Cure
Released	6 December 1983
Recorded	November 1982 – April 1983
Length	28:27
Label	Fiction (UK), Sire (US)
Producer	Chris Parry, Steve Nye, Robert Smith, Phil Thornalley
The Cure chronology
Pornography (1982) Japanese Whispers (1983) The Top (1984)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[2]
Sputnikmusic	[3]

It includes the singles "Let's Go to Bed", "The Walk" and "The Lovecats". The other tracks are the B-sides of these singles, although "Mr. Pink Eyes" (the second B-side for "The Lovecats") was not included. The songs were recorded when the band was in a transitional phase after bassist Simon Gallup left following a tour to promote the previous album, Pornography. Beginning with these singles, Lol Tolhurst switched from drums to keyboards, a role he kept until his departure in 1989.

For the tracks from the "Let's Go to Bed" and "The Walk" singles, the Cure was a duo consisting of Tolhurst and Robert Smith, with the addition of session drummer Steve Goulding (a member of Graham Parker and the Rumour) for the tracks from "Let's Go to Bed". For "The Lovecats" single, a full band was assembled with the addition of bassist/producer Phil Thornalley, who had worked with the band on Pornography, and drummer Andy Anderson, a lineup which would continue for the Concert live album.

In 1986, the singles' lead tracks were included in the Staring at the Sea compilation album, while all of the B-sides were included in the 2004 B-sides and rarities box set Join the Dots.

Japanese Whispers was the first Cure album to enter the Billboard 200 in the US, in early 1984.

Track listing

All tracks written by Robert Smith and Laurence Tolhurst except as noted.

1. "Let's Go to Bed" – 3:34
2. "The Dream" (Smith) – 3:13
3. "Just One Kiss" – 4:09
4. "The Upstairs Room" – 3:31
5. "The Walk" – 3:30
6. "Speak My Language" – 2:41
7. "Lament" (Smith) – 4:20
8. "The Love Cats" (Smith) – 3:40

Personnel

• Robert Smith – vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass guitar
• Lol Tolhurst – keyboards, drum machine, vibraphone (6, 8)
• Steve Goulding – drums (1, 3)
• Phil Thornalley – double bass (6, 8)
• Andy Anderson – drums (6, 8)

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[4]	Silver	60,000^^
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

1. True, Chris. "Japanese Whispers – The Cure". AllMusic.
2. Rolling Stone Album Guide
3. Sputnikmusic review
4. "British album certifications – The Cure – Japanese Wispers". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Japanese Wispers in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.