The song's lyrics consist mainly of the singer talking about pictures of his love. It is NOT about masturbation, as the urban myth would have it! Musically, the song features an Oriental riff played on guitar. The band were absolutely certain they would have a hit with "Turning Japanese", so much so that they held it back to become their second single (following 1979's "Prisoners", which did absolutely nothing) before releasing it, fearing that they would become merely "one-hit wonders".
According to my Mum, I used to go mental in the 'baby seat' whenever this came on the car radio. Dodgy connotations or not, it's still a great tune, cheers.
@leejohnson I am thinking perhaps this is one of those rare instances where the Urban Myth is actually an Urban Truth. For in the early 70s at my school the term Turning Chinese was used to describe someone's facial expression during orgasm (masturbation or otherise). Furthermore the lyrics to the song make no sense whatsoever in any other context other than the singer is wanking himself silly over the object of his desire.
@ian38018 Wikipedia, The Vapors: "The song 'Turning Japanese' was believed to euphemistically refer to masturbation, although [David] Fenton (the song's author) denied that claim in an interview on VH1. He did, however, say he wished to thank whoever first came up with that interpretation, as he felt that the salacious rumour about what the song 'really' meant may have been what made it a hit." I can only go by my sources. How much do you want to believe something, despite this?
I suppose like most immature little boys at heart, I would love to think the song writer pulled a sneaky one here. But if not, I do wonder what the term actually does mean. If anything, of course. Its a great pop song irrespective.
@ian38018 Right. I've had a close look at the lyrics. He's in jail, that's for certain:
"I'd like a million of you all round my cell", referring to her picture. And:
"No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women
No fun, no sin, no you, no wonder it's dark
Everyone around me is a total stranger
Everyone avoids me like a cyclone ranger
That's why I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so".
It's just an alienation thing, I think. To do with a language block in jail society.
@ian38018 Like, imagine if you went round your local town, babbling your version of what you thought Japanese sounded like. You'd be on your own there - no possible interaction with others around you - they wouldn't understand what you were saying. So - he fails to adjust to jail life, and has nothing to say to, and hears nothing worthwhile from, his fellow prisoners. Social misfire.
@pocketbeatnik And I'll bet you're still a great little mover!! ;)
@lynn200 Memmory-jogger for some, educational for those wh have never heard the track before, or not investigated. Knowledge is power.
@ian38018 And wouldn't it be typical if you actually got it right, and it turned out to be a double bluff meaning by Dave Fenton!
20 Comments (since 28 Jun 2013)
leejohnson
The song's lyrics consist mainly of the singer talking about pictures of his love. It is NOT about masturbation, as the urban myth would have it! Musically, the song features an Oriental riff played on guitar. The band were absolutely certain they would have a hit with "Turning Japanese", so much so that they held it back to become their second single (following 1979's "Prisoners", which did absolutely nothing) before releasing it, fearing that they would become merely "one-hit wonders".
leejohnson
And so it proved anyway. It reached No. 2 in the UK in 1980, and No. 36 in the USA. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turning_Japanese
stumbelina
I actually really like this record a whole lot
lindatee
I've got the single.... Great jam!
lynn200
yes,remembered........good find
kompani101
Classic.
kemiladashdot
@leejohnson Those urban myths are very earthy in your neck of the woods.
staticstudios
Their "Best Of" CD is really, really solid.
paininthebrum
Myth or not,it is a classic new wave tune.
leejohnson
@kemiladashdot That's one for the schoolboy sniggerers, is that. And totally a myth too! :)
pocketbeatnik
According to my Mum, I used to go mental in the 'baby seat' whenever this came on the car radio. Dodgy connotations or not, it's still a great tune, cheers.
PrincessMydnite
LOOOOOOOVE ❤
curtywyshart
Saw these guys open for Yes on the Drama tour 1979. Great pick!
ian38018
@leejohnson I am thinking perhaps this is one of those rare instances where the Urban Myth is actually an Urban Truth. For in the early 70s at my school the term Turning Chinese was used to describe someone's facial expression during orgasm (masturbation or otherise). Furthermore the lyrics to the song make no sense whatsoever in any other context other than the singer is wanking himself silly over the object of his desire.
lynn200
your comments are becoming an 'education...:)
leejohnson
@ian38018 Wikipedia, The Vapors: "The song 'Turning Japanese' was believed to euphemistically refer to masturbation, although [David] Fenton (the song's author) denied that claim in an interview on VH1. He did, however, say he wished to thank whoever first came up with that interpretation, as he felt that the salacious rumour about what the song 'really' meant may have been what made it a hit." I can only go by my sources. How much do you want to believe something, despite this?
ian38018
I suppose like most immature little boys at heart, I would love to think the song writer pulled a sneaky one here. But if not, I do wonder what the term actually does mean. If anything, of course. Its a great pop song irrespective.
leejohnson
@ian38018 Right. I've had a close look at the lyrics. He's in jail, that's for certain: "I'd like a million of you all round my cell", referring to her picture. And: "No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women No fun, no sin, no you, no wonder it's dark Everyone around me is a total stranger Everyone avoids me like a cyclone ranger That's why I'm turning Japanese I think I'm turning Japanese I really think so". It's just an alienation thing, I think. To do with a language block in jail society.
leejohnson
@ian38018 Like, imagine if you went round your local town, babbling your version of what you thought Japanese sounded like. You'd be on your own there - no possible interaction with others around you - they wouldn't understand what you were saying. So - he fails to adjust to jail life, and has nothing to say to, and hears nothing worthwhile from, his fellow prisoners. Social misfire.
leejohnson
@pocketbeatnik And I'll bet you're still a great little mover!! ;) @lynn200 Memmory-jogger for some, educational for those wh have never heard the track before, or not investigated. Knowledge is power. @ian38018 And wouldn't it be typical if you actually got it right, and it turned out to be a double bluff meaning by Dave Fenton!