The Vapors - Turning Japanese [1980]
New Clear Days
"The Vapors - Turning Japanese" Video
Amateur Video
"You've got me turning up and turning down and turning in and turning 'round." A gang of total punk losers wreak havoc in a Japanese restaurant.
The cheapie video was directed by Russell McCahey (Highlander). What is "Turning Japanese" about, anyway? According to most critics, the song refers to spanking the monkey. Flogging the dolphin. Beating the bishop. Chafing at the bit. Shaking hands with the governor. Sending out the troops. Burping the chipmunk. Boxing the Jesuit. Pumping gas at the self-service island. Taking matters into your own hands. Waxing the carrot. Painting the ceiling... "I sit there staring and there's nothing else to do..."
The Vapors disappeared from the music scene about as quickly as they arrived. According to bass drummer Howard Smith: "I think it is true that the big success of 'Turning Japanese' handicapped the band. There are a lot of good other songs recorded, but 'Turning Japanese' did have a slight bubble gum attitude to it and that may have put a few people off checking out the other records." The song experienced a brief rebirth when it surfaced on the Charlie's Angels soundtrack. "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 so..."
User Comments - Add a Comment
G.T. Tyson - 2005-01-18 11:54:22
The ultimate early-80's song. Their one-hit-wonder status notwithstanding, this was my anthem in 1981. That was also the year I met Nancy, but that is another story entirely.
Cliff - Lead Singer/Guitarist in the amateur video - 2008-09-09 12:54:24
Hey...this is pretty cool...how did our video get put on here? Thanks to whoever posted it!
Dan Williams - 2003-11-18 20:14:03
Well, although most of the lyrics describe a "spanking the monkey" scenario, I believe the usage of "turning japanese" itself refers to the facial expressions people get during orgasm.