Video Vault Sundays: July 27, 2025 – Alphaville – Big in Japan (1984)

In 1984, Alphaville released Big in Japan, a dark synth pop track that helped define the moodier side of the decade. With its steady electronic beat, haunting melody, and cryptic lyrics, the song became an instant hit across Europe and later caught on with audiences in the United States. It captured the cold elegance of 1980s new wave and stood out with its polished sound and thought provoking title.

The music video embraced the stylized surrealism common in the early days of music television. Shot in stark black and white, it featured shadowy industrial settings, abstract camera work, and a sense of isolation that matched the tone of the song. It was not about flashy performance or storytelling, but about creating a visual atmosphere that deepened the song’s emotional weight.

Watch video here:


Big in Japan marked Alphaville’s breakthrough and set the stage for their future hits. The song remains a staple of 1980s retrospectives and continues to resonate with fans of electronic and new wave music. The video perfectly captured the detached cool of the mid 80s pop landscape.

Fun fact: The phrase Big in Japan was originally a saying about western bands finding success overseas, but Alphaville gave it an entirely new twist by turning it into a story of escape, addiction, and illusions of fame.