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Air — Alone In Kyoto
Album: Talkie Walkie
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4224









Released: 2004
Length: 4:26
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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(Instrumental)
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EXCELLENT TUNE!    PS: The album cover looks like they just burned one and thought "oh shit, we gotta take pictures for the album cover"!   
Posted 1 week ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 Highlowsel wrote:

As a child I spent a number of years in a prefect outside of Tokyo known as Haijima.  My father was in the American military and we were stationed at Yokota Air Base at that time.  This tune sets me in mind of many wanderings (on my bicycle) I did through that area; especially during cherry blossom time.  For me it's a perfect musical depiction of a certain aspect of Japan, and the lyrical aspects of their philosophy as well.

Highlow
American Net'Zen 



YHS Panthers 1973_1977, Fussa
Posted 6 months ago by subwo    [ Reply ]
Surprised this is 2004.  Totally sounds like one of those catchy instrumental songs you'd hear on the radio around 1986-1987.
Posted 1 year ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
Lost in Translation every single time I hear this.  lovely song and movie. 
Posted 1 year ago by tarbinator    [ Reply ]
Listening in Kyoto, alone now as my wife is out, kansha!
Posted 1 year ago by hakuindude    [ Reply ]
Love this tune.
Listened to it when I was waiting in Kyoto main station for my Shinkansen to Tokyo.
Was also alone on my way that time.
The main station is already an impressive architecture and nice to walk around, especially through the roof. 
Unfortunately, I did not had enough time to go through the city itself and see the nice old buildings, but Nara (where I was coming from) was also nice.

One day I definitely will go back there, but hopefully that time with my wife and kid. 
Posted 1 year ago by Renderking    [ Reply ]
The new "Sex On a Train".
Posted 1 year ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
 robus wrote:

I was actually thinking this was Ryuichi Sakamato before double checking.




For anyone who enjoys this and does not recognize the name, check this out:

Instant frisson....
Posted 1 year ago by snowcone    [ Reply ]
 ojibwe wrote:

I thought it was a great movie. Definitely one of my top 50 of all time. It speaks to some strong themes of isolation and loneliness. The distance between Bill Murray (a genius casting move, btw) and Scarlett Johanssen was achingly painful to watch. The mundaneness of his life in America, compared to his near-superstar status in Japan, made the gaps only that much deeper. 

It was a fantastic movie, very beautiful and moving, and a great joy to watch. 



I worked in media (voice over, TV and film) abroad for many years. I was a 'celebrity' there and back home, pretty much invisible. I can SO relate to the film. With tears at times. It is brilliant.
Posted 2 years ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
 inbagt wrote:

My wedding song.




LOL!!      
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
My wedding song.
Posted 2 years ago by inbagt    [ Reply ]
Listening from Kyoto, beautiful.
Posted 2 years ago by hakuindude    [ Reply ]
 Canadese wrote:
 
 It would be nice to hear some Tangerine Dream on RP



Oui !!! Et Air ce sont 2 frenchies !!!!! YEESSS !!!!!!!
Posted 2 years ago by mathieu.alexandre83    [ Reply ]
good music for walking and thinking...
Posted 2 years ago by jmkate    [ Reply ]
 fedtho wrote:
I notice several comments pointing to Tangerine Dream, whom I only know by name.
I would have said Cocteau Twins, who are obviously much more recent.
So I should give TD a try - thanks to all for the tip {#Sunny}

One of the common mistakes (one I made myself at first) about AIR: listening to it as background music. It is easy to dismiss them as such.
But they only come through when heard in their own right, at volume loud enough, and doing nothing else
(no cooking, no video games, no online payments etc., whatever you do listening to RP {#Wink})


"when heard in their own right, at volume loud enough, and doing nothing else"

Isn´t that actually the best way to listen to most music?
Posted 2 years ago by MilesW    [ Reply ]
 sajitjacob wrote:
My guess is that there was only one pair of gloves, and so they had to share and try and look all tough.
 
Except for the gloves are different styles.
Posted 3 years ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
 robus wrote:
I was actually thinking this was Ryuichi Sakamato before double checking.
 
I thought the same. Gorgeous melodies.
Posted 3 years ago by curtlichter    [ Reply ]
The transition from Dandy Warhols' Godless took this to a 7.
Posted 3 years ago by acolt    [ Reply ]
Anybody else hear Spacegrass from Clutch in this intro?  Speaking of which, Spacegrass would play well in RP!  : )
Posted 4 years ago by Kajukenbo    [ Reply ]
My guess is that there was only one pair of gloves, and so they had to share and try and look all tough.
Posted 4 years ago by sajitjacob    [ Reply ]
so beautiful...
Posted 4 years ago by Jamer2k41    [ Reply ]
I just love being able to simply listen to MY favourites thank you for creating it.
Posted 4 years ago by Moleta_Woman    [ Reply ]
up from 8 to 10

First heard this in a chillout room ...it just pulls my emotions so much I love it.
Posted 4 years ago by t0m5k1    [ Reply ]
Maybe inspired The Laziest River by Destroyer?
Posted 4 years ago by Bertoray    [ Reply ]
Oops,  I just dropped one of my glow sticks
Posted 4 years ago by wolverine    [ Reply ]
 Canadese wrote:
 twp wrote:
I enjoy this track a lot, but I must confess that it sounds to my ear very much like the Tangerine Dream soundtrack to Risky Business.
 It would be nice to hear some Tangerine Dream on RP

 
Yes, I totally agree!
Posted 4 years ago by ralf-peter.hayen538    [ Reply ]
Very likable and effective instrumental, especially it's use in the film. But, I keep thinking the tune could resolve / end differently, from when the piano enters till the birds sing.
Posted 5 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
 twp wrote:
I enjoy this track a lot, but I must confess that it sounds to my ear very much like the Tangerine Dream soundtrack to Risky Business.
 It would be nice to hear some Tangerine Dream on RP

Posted 5 years ago by Canadese    [ Reply ]
That song always make me think about a Tomb Raider 2 videogame tune :)
Posted 6 years ago by youyouk    [ Reply ]
Finally a "French touch" act which is not overrated.
Posted 6 years ago by eveliko    [ Reply ]
Such a great song. Thanks so much.
Posted 6 years ago by FatPants    [ Reply ]
 the_jake wrote:

Huh?  Is she in this recording? 

 
Nope.
Posted 6 years ago by boltonblue242    [ Reply ]
 Ableragtacker wrote:
Kate Bush....Always a 10...thanks Kate

 
Huh?  Is she in this recording? 
Posted 7 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
 ojibwe wrote:

I thought it was a great movie. Definitely one of my top 50 of all time. It speaks to some strong themes of isolation and loneliness. The distance between Bill Murray (a genius casting move, btw) and Scarlett Johanssen was achingly painful to watch. The mundaneness of his life in America, compared to his near-superstar status in Japan, made the gaps only that much deeper. 

It was a fantastic movie, very beautiful and moving, and a great joy to watch. 


To be honest I only remember the movie for the great graphical setting, mood and music. Got in a very relaxed state after watching the movie. That's a certain quality too.


Posted 7 years ago by Kaw    [ Reply ]
 Schmoogsley wrote:
What a horrible movie. 
 
I thought it was a great movie. Definitely one of my top 50 of all time. It speaks to some strong themes of isolation and loneliness. The distance between Bill Murray (a genius casting move, btw) and Scarlett Johanssen was achingly painful to watch. The mundaneness of his life in America, compared to his near-superstar status in Japan, made the gaps only that much deeper. 

It was a fantastic movie, very beautiful and moving, and a great joy to watch. 
Posted 7 years ago by ojibwe    [ Reply ]
a 9 in honor of highlowsels comment.
Posted 7 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
What a horrible movie. 
Posted 8 years ago by Schmoogsley    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
Simple and brilliant.

Or is that simply brilliant?

Or.... Brilliantly simple?   

 
HA!  A musical haiku, perhaps?  {#Whistle}
Posted 8 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
As a child I spent a number of years in a prefect outside of Tokyo known as Haijima.  My father was in the American military and we were stationed at Yokota Air Base at that time.  This tune sets me in mind of many wanderings (on my bicycle) I did through that area; especially during cherry blossom time.  For me it's a perfect musical depiction of a certain aspect of Japan, and the lyrical aspects of their philosophy as well.

Highlow
American Net'Zen 
Posted 8 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
I was actually thinking this was Ryuichi Sakamato before double checking.
Posted 8 years ago by robus    [ Reply ]
I know I've heard Air before here on RP but today this song strikes me.  Pretty good.
Posted 8 years ago by NicJohn    [ Reply ]
It's almost midnight here in Kyoto, the cherry blossoms are in near full bloom, this comes on and I smile. It's true.
Posted 8 years ago by hakuindude    [ Reply ]
 ddog wrote:
Morcheeba The Sea next..

 
Nope! 
Eagles! 
Posted 8 years ago by FrankDebbieCote    [ Reply ]
I notice several comments pointing to Tangerine Dream, whom I only know by name.
I would have said Cocteau Twins, who are obviously much more recent.
So I should give TD a try - thanks to all for the tip {#Sunny}

One of the common mistakes (one I made myself at first) about AIR: listening to it as background music. It is easy to dismiss them as such.
But they only come through when heard in their own right, at volume loud enough, and doing nothing else
(no cooking, no video games, no online payments etc., whatever you do listening to RP {#Wink})
Posted 8 years ago by fedtho    [ Reply ]
Bought this after hearing it here. A nice LP.
Posted 8 years ago by dkwalika    [ Reply ]
Simple and brilliant.

Or is that simply brilliant?

Or.... Brilliantly simple?   
Posted 8 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Morcheeba The Sea next..
Posted 8 years ago by ddog    [ Reply ]
Instant chill. {#Chillpill}
Posted 8 years ago by DrLex    [ Reply ]
I love this song!
Ever since i watched Lost in Translation this song reminds me of that movie.
Goodness :) 
Posted 9 years ago by GITMalpha    [ Reply ]
Wow, this track is oddly soothing. Like, it caught me off guard. I was responding to emails and doing my thing at work and all of a sudden I noticed that my shoulders were more relaxed and my mind less tense. Amazing, the power of music!
Posted 9 years ago by profoundpronoun    [ Reply ]
Superb choices on this night, RP. 
Posted 9 years ago by LindyLuv    [ Reply ]
ever since Sophia Coppola used Air for Virgin Suicides soundtrack, I've been entranced....

what's with the gloves, though, in this photo? 
Posted 9 years ago by Highspirits    [ Reply ]
Many of their music is used as soundtracks!
Posted 10 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
{#Sleep} (in a good way)
Posted 10 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 twp wrote:
I enjoy this track a lot, but I must confess that it sounds to my ear very much like the Tangerine Dream soundtrack to Risky Business.

 
That was my exact thought at first as well - very similar music patterns.
Posted 10 years ago by steady_steve    [ Reply ]
  I like this too
Posted 10 years ago by Jannne    [ Reply ]
Kind of reminds me of Arthawan and I really like Arthawan. I guess I'll have to buy another cd.
Posted 10 years ago by schitfitz    [ Reply ]
i have been alone in kyoto, i can relate, this sounds right
Posted 10 years ago by PopKombo    [ Reply ]
Sounds good at high sound pressure levels.

 
Posted 10 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
 railroadwail wrote:
Hey. Bill. Remember that 70s-80s band Hiroshima?  They'd be a good follow-up to this.

 
Hey, yes indeedy it would! 
Posted 11 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
Listening from Kyoto, thankfully not alone, walking alone in some temples, fitting this would be........
Posted 11 years ago by hakuindude    [ Reply ]
 jmsmy wrote:
Sounds like the music they play at the dog track - the last 2 minutes to post your bet.

 
They play music at dog tracks?  Where do you go to dog tracks: Monte Carlo?
Posted 11 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I've always loved this track... and I discovered it here at RP. {#Sunny}
Posted 11 years ago by skindy    [ Reply ]
like the Velveteen Rabit
Posted 11 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 jmsmy wrote:
Sounds like the music they play at the dog track - the last 2 minutes to post your bet.

 

bwahahahaha!!
Posted 11 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
This one goes to 11.
Posted 11 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Hey. Bill. Remember that 70s-80s band Hiroshima?  They'd be a good follow-up to this.
Posted 11 years ago by railroadwail    [ Reply ]
Love it - so relaxing.  I want to be sitting by that ocean.
Posted 11 years ago by mfair1    [ Reply ]
It gives me a Lost in Translation swoon. 
Posted 11 years ago by marrdcheez    [ Reply ]
Yes, this track reminds me to dig out my T.Dream CDs and give them a blast....
Certainly derirative of many other 'oriental' themed pieces much mentioned in the last few pages; I would add in some of Mr Kitaro's Silk Road too....
Posted 11 years ago by DavidS_UK    [ Reply ]
Sounds like the music they play at the dog track - the last 2 minutes to post your bet.
Posted 11 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
Merry Christmas Mr Laurence is dying to burst out of there...
Posted 11 years ago by Charlie_rijsel    [ Reply ]
{#Rolleyes}{#Sleep}
Posted 12 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
Three letters..."Y", "E" and "S"....for "A", "I" and "R".
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
I like this!
Posted 12 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
sorry iTunes...tell me why I should have paid $.30 more at your store. Go Amazon!

(yet another rp inspired purchase)
Posted 12 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
 stickvaughn wrote:
Theme from E.R.?
 
kinda close in a way I guess.....Massive Attack was the band where the ER theme music came from.
Posted 12 years ago by jocelynsart    [ Reply ]
 stickvaughn wrote:
Theme from E.R.?
 

I cant E.aR. it..........
Posted 12 years ago by Toke    [ Reply ]
Theme from E.R.?
Posted 12 years ago by stickvaughn    [ Reply ]
 expatlar wrote:
Stop making me log in just to say "Thanks for playing that."
 
LOL - just stay logged in, it's faster that way!

Like this one, never heard it before but it works for me. {#Clap} 
Posted 12 years ago by ferwoman    [ Reply ]
7 —> 8
Posted 12 years ago by WhiteWater    [ Reply ]
Hearing this song a lot on TV these days, on the commercial for the Samsung Galaxy, I believe.
Posted 12 years ago by Tana    [ Reply ]
that repetitive note is like Chinese Water Torture......aaaahhhhiiiieeee
Posted 12 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
 mcYammer wrote:
I am an Air convert. Thought it was all pretension at first. Now just relieves my tension.
 

There are better ways.
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
I enjoy this track a lot, but I must confess that it sounds to my ear very much like the Tangerine Dream soundtrack to Risky Business.
Posted 12 years ago by twp    [ Reply ]
Stop making me log in just to say "Thanks for playing that."
Posted 12 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
 mcYammer wrote:
I am an Air convert. Thought it was all pretension at first. Now just relieves my tension.
 
And that's a good thing (the tension relief).  Some of  their stuff catches my ear.

Posted 12 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
I am an Air convert. Thought it was all pretension at first. Now just relieves my tension.
Posted 12 years ago by mcYammer    [ Reply ]
Great flick....and tune. Well done.
Posted 12 years ago by hagz21    [ Reply ]
Smooth sauce: 

Zero-7's "Destiny" to Air's "Alone in Kyoto"

Dang, it's late, I gotta get up too early tomorrow, but the hits!  They just keep comin'!  Thanks for the chills RP.
Posted 13 years ago by S-curvy    [ Reply ]
 bluefrog wrote:
My appreciation for Air continues to grow.

 
Check: www.arte.tv , One shot not.


Posted 13 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
My appreciation for Air continues to grow.

Posted 13 years ago by bluefrog    [ Reply ]
 Sasha2001 wrote:
As lauded as "Lost in Translation was," how come I've nenver had any interest in seeing a second time?
 
It was lauded for the reason art always is: because it is evocative.  So you either didn't have the emotional background to properly appreciate the movie, or else, you did, but you simply don't find the emotions it evoked pleasant. 
Posted 13 years ago by vicariance    [ Reply ]
 marcucho wrote:

she was alone in Kyoto.

 
Thank you!  I was trying to think where I knew the song from.
Posted 13 years ago by vicariance    [ Reply ]
Higher and higher...{#Chillpill} {#Good-vibes}
Posted 13 years ago by nicolewe    [ Reply ]
ahhhh....love this groove

10:42 pm		Air
Alone In Kyoto

 
10:37 pmBlackfield
End of the World

 
10:34 pmThrowing Muses
Teller

 
10:29 pmBand Of Horses
The Funeral

 
10:12 pmPink Floyd
Us & Them -> Eclipse

 
10:09 pmGary Jules
Mad World 

Posted 13 years ago by azdcryan    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 13 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
I really love the waves on a rocky shore sound at the end of this lovely number. Air are so cool you could keep a side of meat in them for a month (as Zaphod Beeblebrox said).
Posted 13 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 MrDill wrote:
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence?
or is it just me  {#Stupid}
 
Absolutely

Posted 13 years ago by Sp3o    [ Reply ]
Love playing this song during a long boss fight. :)
Posted 13 years ago by Kittee    [ Reply ]
Need to listen to this CD.
Posted 13 years ago by ejmusik    [ Reply ]
Nice song, great album.
Posted 13 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
 planetclare wrote:
This always reminds me of Art of Noise's "Moments in Love"
 
Yea, it's got some of that in it.
Posted 13 years ago by AvoidingWork    [ Reply ]
As lauded as "Lost in Translation was," how come I've nenver had any interest in seeing a second time?
Posted 14 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
 Det wrote:
no point to share my feelings with it
 
Why?  If it's negative, you'll probably get flack. If it's positive, you'll probably get flack. Either way, don't just censor yourself, Det - write what you think. Goodness knows, the rest of us do! {#Lol}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
no point to share my feelings with it
Posted 14 years ago by Det    [ Reply ]
Short, beautiful, evocative. I close my eyes and see a lot of possibilities for a story.  And Bill's put "Even in the Quietest Moments" right after it.  Holy wow - here's a soundtrack a creative person could write a screenplay to/for... Gotta go... To find a creative person.{#Bounce}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Need to have seen the movie to really feel this I think.  It's just so downbeat but as the background texture to the images during these scenes it's perfect.
Posted 14 years ago by Bad_Art    [ Reply ]
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence?
or is it just me  {#Stupid}
Posted 14 years ago by MrDill    [ Reply ]
 ambrebalte wrote:


Ha ha I like this comment
And love the music! A I R - aérien
 
I like that you like RP!  This song is cool too.

Posted 14 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
This always reminds me of Art of Noise's "Moments in Love"
Posted 14 years ago by planetclare    [ Reply ]
 chirpie wrote:
Think about it, China has 4 (!!!!) times the US population. If they junked the world per capital like we do, they'd be in waaaay worse shape than they are. You think as many people in the US ride as many bikes as the Chinese do? ^_^
 
China?  Kyoto is in Japan; AIR is from France.  It's an excellent song.  Straighten up and fly right.

Posted 14 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
chirpie wrote:
Think about it, China has 4 (!!!!) times the US population. If they junked the world per capital like we do, they'd be in waaaay worse shape than they are. You think as many people in the US ride as many bikes as the Chinese do? ^_^

I really enjoyed this song, despite the self loathing naive political commentary inexplicably attached to it. Buy a few plane tickets, do a few years of observation, study world history and construct a few Venn diagrams. Indeed, please do think about it.

Meanwhile, isn't this a beautiful recording?


Posted 14 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
 marcucho wrote:

she was alone in Kyoto.


 

Nice picture, the right mood for this song. Thank you
I love Bill Murray by the way
Posted 14 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
 chirpie wrote:


Think about it, China has 4 (!!!!) times the US population. If they junked the world per capital like we do, they'd be in waaaay worse shape than they are.

You think as many people in the US ride as many bikes as the Chinese do? ^_^
 

Ha ha I like this comment
And love the music! A I R - aérien
Posted 14 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]

she was alone in Kyoto.


Posted 14 years ago by marcucho    [ Reply ]
Just needs some rain drops in the background :)
Posted 14 years ago by kerryn    [ Reply ]
Great for a rainy monday morning at work :D
Posted 15 years ago by randerse10    [ Reply ]
Decent mood music I guess, but not radio music by any means. Pretty, but depressing. Not how I want to spend my Saturday.
Posted 15 years ago by jhuitz    [ Reply ]
 CaptTofu wrote:
Makes me think of a Peter Gabriel song with Kate Bush also singing.
 
You must mean "Don't give up". (wikipedia )
Personally I can't hear a resemblance. 


Posted 15 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]