“Turning Japanese”, the most misinterpreted song of all time! Or possibly the most correctly interpreted song of all time?
Released in 1980, it is the second single by the band The Vapors and is popularly interpreted to be a euphemism for masturbation as it is believed to euphemistically refer to the face a male makes during the act of masturbation.
The Vapors claim, however, that the song was inspired by lead singer/songwriter Dave Fenton’s relationship problems and is the effect of lost love. Fenton is quoted as saying:
“Turning Japanese is all the clichés about angst and youth and turning into something you didn’t expect to.”
The video following contributes to the mass debate on the masturbate:
When asked if the song is about wanking Fenton said:
“It means whatever you want it to mean, I wrote it as a love song. But when I went to America everyone said to me, “Is it about wanking?” In interviews, I’d say alternatively, “Yes it is”, and “No, it’s not”. It could be about a lot of things. I just woke up with that phrase in my head. It’s just an image which captures what that song was all about. But, no it wasn’t intended to be about wanking at the time. What surprised me was that the Americans thought it was an English phrase!”
The vid below proposes three alternative interpretations:
Below is the music vid for the actual song. Geisha girls and guys with samurai swords:
Check out 5 cover versions of Turning Japanese.
And now for the lyrics, you decide, masturbation or love lost?
Turning Japanese
By Dave FentonI’ve got your picture of me and you
You wrote “I love you” I love you too
I sit there staring and there’s nothing else to doOh it’s in color your hair is brown
Your eyes are hazel and soft as clouds
I often kiss you when there’s no one else aroundI’ve got your picture, I’ve got your picture
I’d like a million of them all round my cell
I want a doctor to take your picture
So I can look at you from inside as well
You’ve got me turning up and turning down
And turning in and turning ’roundI’m turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
I’m turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think soI’ve got your picture, I’ve got your picture
I’d like a million of them all round my cell
I want the doctor to take your picture
So I can look at you from inside as well
You’ve got me turning up and turning down and turning in and turning ’roundI’m turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
I’m turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think soNo 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 psyched lone-ranger everyoneThat’s why I’m turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
I’m turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think soTurning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
(think so think so think so)
Turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
5 Turning Japanese Covers
Rugby Scrum vs Japanese Train Crammers
The Wank Pole
Japanese Doggy Style
Japanese Love Dolls – Taboo?
scott j
C Ohara
Chris
Japan Australia
Jay Dee
emuu
lina
freedomwv
Fidel
Haikugirl
Interesting interpretations in the videos above. I love the Rock video!
One possibility not offered up: ‘Turning Japanese’ is an inference to leaning towards homosexual tendencies. The book “Male Colors” by Gary Leupp tells it all. Thinking about the phrase ‘turning Japanese’ after reading this book brings a new light to what might have inspired Dave Fenton’s lyrics.
I’ll have to check out that book.
I was reading somewhere another theory that it is about masturbation in prison. Based upon the following lyrics:
♪ I’d like a million of them all round my cell ♪
and
♪ No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women
No fun, no sin, no you, no wonder it’s dark ♪
Its about a dishonourable discharge.
If you replace the true lyrics with the often misheard lyrics i.e
“I’d like a million pictures all to myself”
and
“everyone avoids me like a cyclone ranger”
Then it become a ballad of the american otaku when he first discovers Yuko Ogura and all the subtle joys of gravure and macross…
Well… It did for me…
I think I’m turning nihonjin desu.
I’m with you on that Gungho. Mmmmmm Yūkorin!
I believe the writer but can absolutely see how it could be interpreted as a song about wanking. It’s much more fun to sing then, isn’t it? Maybe that’s why the Vapors really broke up; mortification.
Hahaha, good point Liv. I found the song more intriguing when I learned of the alterior meaning. Listening to the song became more enjoyable as I pondered my own interpretation. Dangerous song to sing in a karaoke bar, the microphone aids as a good prop.