Lazarus
(Bethany) | | Posted: May 02, 2013 - 12:46 | |
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msymmes
(Toronto, CA) | | Posted: May 02, 2013 - 12:43 | |
Hilarious  |
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Ballzak
| | Posted: May 02, 2013 - 12:42 | |
Oh man, used to crank this all the way UP on MTV....
Freaking awesome!
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skiamigo
| | Posted: Apr 01, 2013 - 09:24 | |
Used to play this on my Radio McGill (CIUT) radio show back in 1980-82
Brilliant!
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Baketown
(Maryland) | | Posted: Apr 01, 2013 - 09:21 | |
Takes me back, Great Song!!
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d48m02h1918
| | Posted: Apr 01, 2013 - 09:21 | |
Great little pop-ditty from my childhood.....love the spastic sounds!!  |
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kcar
| | Posted: Feb 28, 2013 - 22:56 | |
krysthal wrote:I too had heard that "Turning Japanese" is an english euphemism for masturbation, and that's what the Vapours wrote song about, however, that's incorrect. Guitarist Rob Kemp reports, "It's a love song about somebody who had lost their girlfriend and was going slowly crazy, turning Japanese." After a little research, I found this great VH1 Special (YouTube link) explaining the true meaning of the song includes an interview with the band. Those wankers! Seriously (but not very): we should force these guys to reunite and re-work the lyrics. No wonder they were a one-hit wonder. |
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lily34
(GTFO) | | Posted: Feb 28, 2013 - 22:27 | |
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ottovonb
| | Posted: Jan 28, 2013 - 15:45 | |
Ha!...Seriously?...Well now, THIS was a fun break in the action...I like it. Heckman what's next? Uhh..."Mexican Radio" by Wall of Voo-Doo !?  |
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Charlie_rijsel
(Lille, France) | | Posted: Jan 28, 2013 - 15:40 | |
max_p wrote:Recall the parody version "Turning into Cheese" shame we can't hear it instead - this reminds me of crap 1980s music  |
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Pedro1874
(Newton-le-Willows, England) | | Posted: Dec 28, 2012 - 07:19 | |
Just worked out that my son was 4 when he got turned on to music! He really loved this track, later graduating to AC/DC and then eclectic music just like his old man!
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zurcronium
(Not in Texas) | | Posted: Nov 26, 2012 - 22:22 | |
I have turned Japanese, I really think so.
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PopKombo
(Up Against the San Gabriels) | | Posted: Oct 26, 2012 - 13:37 | |
OH, MY! .... I do believe I'm coming down with a case of the vapors ...
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max_p
| | Posted: Oct 26, 2012 - 13:35 | |
Recall the parody version "Turning into Cheese"
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krysthal
(Toronto, Canada) | | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 17:04 | |
lunatic wrote:Oh sorry, I didn't mean to imply that the band meant that the slang term as the reason for the lyrics. I just know that I and all of my peers used to giggle at the implication when the song first got airplay. Thanks for letting me know the story behind the lyrics. No worries. That connection is easy one to make. I just wanted to point out that it was not intentional by Dave Fenton (The Vapors' vocalist who wrote the lyrics). |
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lunatic
| | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 14:29 | |
Oh sorry, I didn't mean to imply that the band meant that the slang term as the reason for the lyrics. I just know that I and all of my peers used to giggle at the implication when the song first got airplay. Thanks for letting me know the story behind the lyrics.
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krysthal
(Toronto, Canada) | | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 14:22 | |
I too had heard that "Turning Japanese" is an english euphemism for masturbation, and that's what the Vapours wrote song about, however, that's incorrect. Guitarist Rob Kemp reports, "It's a love song about somebody who had lost their girlfriend and was going slowly crazy, turning Japanese." After a little research, I found this great VH1 Special (YouTube link) explaining the true meaning of the song includes an interview with the band. |
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lunatic
| | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 14:09 | |
The term ' Turning Japanese' is/was slang for the facial expression most men tend to accquire when they achieve organism. I can see why it would upset a Japanese or Japanese/American. Still I enjoyed rhe song way back in a less PC time.
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kingart
(Brooklyn NY) | | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 14:02 | |
I once read that this tune is about male masturbation. Repeated references in the song about a lonely guy looking at photos. When a guy is shootin' his pupils dilate, his eyelids narrow and eyes cross.
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ladybinnath
(Buffalo, NY) | | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 14:01 | |
RobRyan wrote:We had a Japanese/African American receptionist who brought suit against my firm for alleged harassment based on race. I was deposed and was questioned about the fact that she heard this song played by RP which I usually have on at my desk.
I love the American Civil Justice system.
Not. Proving that you can find bias anywhere if you really want to, facts and reason be damned. |
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oldsaxon
(Wales via Vancouver, BC.) | | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 14:01 | |
AlienRelic wrote:Depends. Vapors on this side of the pond.....
My side is right...if you're lookin' at a map :) |
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us
(Here, as well as there) | | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 14:00 | |
A great fun song. Cranking that thing, woo!!!
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MiracleDrug
(Earth) | | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 13:59 | |
mikexican wrote:I think I'm turning up the volume, think I'm turning up the volume... I really think so. roger that... |
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kittyhawk
(Nevada City, CA) | | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 13:59 | |
Takes me back to high school daze!  |
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AlienRelic
(east of Eden) | | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 13:59 | |
oldsaxon wrote:Typo in the name, I think...should be Vapours, shouldn't it? Depends. Vapors on this side of the pond..... |
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Baby_M
(a 100+-year old building in downtown Akron, Ohio) | | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 13:58 | |
Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "getting the vapors."
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idiot_wind
| | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 13:58 | |
It's a great silly, danceable tune from the early 1980s.
The guitar work is not bad and not over mixed (you can hear string squeaks).
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oldsaxon
(Wales via Vancouver, BC.) | | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 13:58 | |
Typo in the name, I think...should be Vapours, shouldn't it?
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neuticle
(fog fog fog) | | Posted: Jun 22, 2012 - 17:03 | |
You people take this song a little too seriously..lighten up..it's a catchy 1 hit wonder fun song..
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smokingpikachu
(Tucson, Arizona) | | Posted: Jun 22, 2012 - 17:02 | |
Catchy but this song has always made me uncomfortable.
—Someone who turned Japanese at birth
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