Lost in Japan explained
Lost in Japan |
Cover: | Shawn Mendes Lost in Japan.png |
Alt: | The cover consists of a floral design in the lower left corner with the title spelled out vertically in the centre |
Type: | single |
Artist: | Shawn Mendes |
Album: | Shawn Mendes |
Genre: |
|
Label: | Island |
Producer: | - Teddy Geiger
- Shawn Mendes
- Nate Mercereau
- Louis Bell
|
Chronology: | Shawn Mendes |
Prev Title: | In My Blood |
Prev Year: | 2018 |
Next Title: | Youth |
Next Year: | 2018 |
"Lost in Japan" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Shawn Mendes. It was written by Mendes, Scott Harris, Nate Mercereau and Teddy Geiger, with production handled by Mendes, Mercereau, Geiger and Louis Bell. The song was released by Island Records on March 23, 2018, as a second single for Mendes' self-titled third studio album. An official remix by German music producer Zedd was released on September 27, 2018.
Release
The song's title was first spotted in the background of Mendes' Instagram posts from when he was recording the album in Jamaica, leading to speculation on the possibility of Mendes releasing two singles,[1] hence the two dates in an earlier teaser.[2] [3] [4] He announced the song mere hours after the release of "In My Blood", writing on Twitter: "Wanted to give you another song".[5]
Composition
"Lost in Japan" is a funk, pop and R&B song,[6] [7] with "funky strings and driving bass" that bears resemblances to the work of Justin Timberlake.[8] During interviews, Mendes stated that he was inspired by all of the Timberlake songs he was listening to at the time, especially Justified–and a dream. "I had this dream that I was lost in this country and I woke up the next day and we had this cool piano part and the song was birthed."[9] [10]
Lars Brandle of Billboard wrote that the song "opens with a subtle spell of piano then changes gears with a fat bass sound and groove".[11] It transformed from "a slow, piano-driven number" into "a passionate, hook-laden love song", according to CBS Radio's Robyn Collins.[12] Lyrically, Mendes offers to travel the globe in order to be closer to his love interest.[13] Sheet music for the song "Lost In Japan" is in the key of B Major and a tempo range of 104-108 beats per minute, while Mendes's vocals span from G3 to C6.[14]
Critical reception
Mike Nied of Idolator regarded the "atmospheric" song as "another solid gold bop", complimenting its ability "to present a new, more mature version of the superstar".[15] Sam Damshenas of Gay Times opined that the song "displays a saucier, funkier side" to Mendes.[16] Jordan Sargent of Spin praised the track, deeming it "notably well-made pop music" and "refreshingly spacious", despite being ambivalent towards his previous single "In My Blood".[17] Billboard named it the 22nd best song of the first half of 2018,[18] Elle considered it the 2nd,[19] while Uproxx listed it at No. 8 for the best pop songs of 2018.[20]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[21]
- Shawn Mendes – vocals, background vocals, songwriting, production, guitar
- Scott Harris – songwriting, guitar
- Nate Mercereau – songwriting, additional production, keyboard, bass, guitar, percussion, piano
- Teddy Geiger – background vocals, songwriting, production, drums, guitar, percussion, programming
- Louis Bell – additional production
- Harry Burr – mixing assistance, studio personnel
- Andrew Maury – mixing, studio personnel
- George Seara – vocal engineering, studio personnel
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Release history
Zedd remix
Lost in Japan |
Version: | remix |
Cover: | Lost in Japan remix.png |
Type: | single |
Artist: | Shawn Mendes and Zedd |
Label: | Island |
Producer: |
|
A remix of "Lost in Japan" by Zedd was released on September 27, 2018,[29] and was sent to the US contemporary hit radio on October 2, 2018.
Music video
A music video for the song was released on October 25, 2018. The video features both the original and remix versions of the song. The music video reenacts scenes from the 2003 film Lost in Translation, where Mendes plays the role of Bob (originally portrayed by Bill Murray). It features guest appearances from Norwegian actress Alisha Boe (who plays Scarlett Johansson's character Charlotte) and remixer Zedd. The music video was directed by Jay Martin and shot by Kai Saul.[30]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[31]
- Shawn Mendes – vocals, background vocals, songwriting, production, guitar
- Scott Harris – songwriting, guitar
- Nate Mercereau – songwriting, additional production, keyboard, bass, guitar, percussion, piano
- Teddy Geiger – background vocals, songwriting, production, drums, guitar, percussion, programming
- Louis Bell – additional production
- Harry Burr – mixing assistance, studio personnel
- Andrew Maury – mixing, studio personnel
- George Seara – vocal engineering, studio personnel
- Zedd – additional production, remixing, studio personnel
Charts
Release history
Notes and References
- News: White. Jack. Shawn Mendes teases new music is coming this week. March 23, 2018. Official Charts Company. March 20, 2018.
- Marzovilla. Julia. Shawn Mendes Has Fans Freaking Out Over Cryptic Tweets That Seem to Hint at New Music. March 23, 2018. Billboard. March 19, 2018.
- News: Macke. Johnni. Shawn Mendes Sends Fans Into Frenzy With Date Reveals. March 23, 2018. People's Choice Awards. March 20, 2018.
- News: Prance. Sam. Shawn Mendes Is Releasing New Music This Week. March 23, 2018. MTV News. March 20, 2018.
- News: Longmire. Becca. Shawn Mendes Sparks Online Meltdown As He Treats Fans To Another New Track 'Lost In Japan'. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323170453/https://etcanada.com/news/311879/shawn-mendes-sparks-online-meltdown-as-he-treats-fans-to-another-new-track-lost-in-japan/. dead. March 23, 2018. March 23, 2018. Entertainment Tonight Canada. March 23, 2018.
- Web site: DeVille. Chris. Lil Dicky Is Making A Career Out Of Being Charismatic And Problematic In Equal Measure. Stereogum. March 29, 2018. April 5, 2018.
- News: Tanzer. Myles. Okay, but I really like this Shawn Mendes song. April 5, 2018. The Fader. April 3, 2018.
- News: LISTEN: Shawn Mendes Debuts 'Lost In Japan'. March 23, 2018. iHeartRadio. March 23, 2018.
- Web site: Shawn Mendes Talks Lost in Japan, In My Blood & Camila Cabello. YouTube. March 24, 2018.
- Schiller. Rebecca. Shawn Mendes Talks Justin Timberlake-Inspired 'Lost in Japan,' Says He's 'Really Proud' of 'In My Blood': Watch. March 23, 2018. Billboard. March 23, 2018.
- Brandle. Lars. Shawn Mendes Drops Sexy New Song 'Lost In Japan': Listen. March 23, 2018. Billboard. March 23, 2018.
- News: Collins. Robyn. Shawn Mendes Drops Second Track In A Row, 'Lost In Japan': Listen. March 23, 2018. CBS Radio. March 23, 2018. March 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180324041051/http://news.radio.com/2018/03/23/shawn-mendes-lost-in-japan/. dead.
- News: Shawn Mendes Gifts Us Funk-Fuelled New Track 'Lost In Japan'. March 23, 2018. MTV News. March 23, 2018.
- Web site: Lost in Japan . Musicnotes . 26 March 2018 .
- News: Nied. Mike. Shawn Mendes' "Lost In Japan" Is An Atmospheric Smash. March 23, 2018. Idolator. March 23, 2018.
- News: Damshenas. Sam. Shawn Mendes is looking for a hook-up on new single Lost In Japan. March 23, 2018. Gay Times. March 23, 2018.
- News: Sargent. Jordan. Shawn Mendes "Lost In Japan" Review. March 23, 2018. Spin. March 23, 2018.
- Billboard Staff. The 50 Best Songs of 2018 (So Far): Critics' Picks. June 6, 2018. Billboard. June 6, 2018.
- News: Penrose. Nerisha. The 15 Best Songs of 2018 (So Far). June 27, 2018. Elle. June 27, 2018.
- News: Chloe Gilke. Caitlin White. The 20 Best Pop Songs of 2018 So Far. June 13, 2018. Uproxx. June 13, 2018.
- Web site: Try the TIDAL Web Player. listen.tidal.com. en. 2019-06-24.
- Web site: Top 10 Pop Internacional: 15/04/2019 - 19/04/2019. Crowley Broadcast Analysis. June 6, 2019. Portuguese.
- Web site: Track Top-40 Uge 11, 2019. Hitlisten. March 27, 2019.
- Web site: Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 200 Singles 2018. Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Portuguese. July 5, 2020.
- Web site: Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 3000 Singles + EPs Digitais. Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Portuguese. July 5, 2020.
- Web site: Lost In Japan / Shawn Mendes TIDAL. Tidal. March 23, 2018.
- Web site: Lost In Japan: SHAWN MENDES. Radio Monitor. June 18, 2020.
- Web site: Lost in Japan (Remix) - Single by Shawn Mendes & Zedd. September 27, 2018. iTunes Store. September 27, 2018.
- Hear Zedd's Glitchy Remix of Shawn Mendes' 'Lost in Japan'. September 27, 2018. Brittany. Spanos. Brittany Spanos . . September 27, 2018. September 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180928003436/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/zedd-shawn-mendes-lost-in-japan-remix-729917/. dead.
- Web site: Shawn Mendes Romances '13 Reasons Why's Alisha Boe In 'Lost In Japan' Video — Watch. October 27, 2018. Hollywood Life. October 25, 2018. October 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181026104515/https://hollywoodlife.com/2018/10/25/shawn-mendes-lost-in-japan-video-remix-zedd/. dead.
- Web site: Try the TIDAL Web Player. listen.tidal.com. en. 2019-06-24.
- Web site: Top 100 Colombia. Spanish. National-Report. July 20, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190122214329/http://www.national-report.com/top-colombia/. January 22, 2019. dead.
- Web site: Croatia ARC TOP 100. HRT. November 27, 2018. November 21, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181121162159/http://radio.hrt.hr/clanak/arc-100-datum-19-studenoga-2018/183888/. dead.
- Shawn Mendes Chart History (Mexico Airplay). Billboard. July 5, 2021.
- Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 26 August 2019. 24 August 2019.
- Web site: Airplay 100 – 16 decembrie 2018. Kiss FM. Romanian. December 17, 2018. December 16, 2018.
- Web site: SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart. slotop50.si. 3 December 2018.
- Web site: Sverigetopplistan – Sveriges Officiella Topplista. Sverigetopplistan. October 6, 2018.
- Web site: Top 100 Venezuela. Spanish. National-Report. December 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181214132926/http://www.national-report.com/top-venezuela/. December 14, 2018. dead.
- Web site: SHAWN MENDES - LOST IN JAPAN (Radio Date: 28-09-2018). EarOne. September 28, 2018. March 31, 2020.
- Web site: BBC – Radio 1 – Playlist . . September 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181002021809/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/playlist . October 2, 2018 . September 29, 2018.
- Web site: Top 40/M Future Releases. All Access Media Group. https://web.archive.org/web/20181003114556/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases. October 3, 2018. October 8, 2018.