The Vapors – Turning Japanese

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  General Comment:the line I asked the doctor to take your picture, So I can look at you from inside as well could suggest that he is in prison

  Flag dontmindon May 17, 2013   Link

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  Song Meaning:It's about masturbation xD
  "No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women
  No fun, no sin, no you, no wonder it's dark"
  Not doing any sex, drugs, etc. No wonder it's dark, it's dark in the room, so he can masturbate! xD
  Plus, when you masturbate your eyes look like a Japanese person's xDDD
  Says my mom. xD

  Flag DeadHJ21on December 23, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:Personally, I thought that this song was about a guy being in prison. And societies view on him.
  And that he want's his girl to help him going by giving him pictures? That's what I thought anyhow ><

  Flag DemonsWrathon October 07, 2011   Link

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  Lyric Correction:"I'd like a million of them all to myself"
  
  should be
  
  "I'd like a million of them all round my cell"
  
  Prison cell, pin-up, nuff said :)

  Flag Jaggehon August 08, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:I believe it's "I'd like a million of them all round my cell"

  Flag matrixcreatoron June 22, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:In the U.S., the song was believed to euphemistically refer to the face a male makes during the act of masturbation. In a VH1 True Spin special the band denied this. Songwriter David Fenton explained: "Turning Japanese is all the clichés about angst and youth and turning into something you didn't expect to."

  Flag plutoon September 07, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:I don' think it is so obvious that it is about masturbation. Back in the late '70's, early '80's - about the time this song came out - it was a popular expression to say you were "turning Japanese" when you were getting high. In masturbation, your eyes squint for perhaps a few seconds, but when you are stoned, they stay squinted. I agree, the masturbation view does have a lot of support in that he is looking at a girls picture and is alone in prison. But the fact that this expression was so common back then - at least in my area - that it makes me think otherwise. We were certain, back then, that it had to be about getting high.

  Flag benecjton July 02, 2010   Link

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• -1
  General Comment:Ummm... not to offend anyone, but I heard it was about making fun of japanese people.
  
  Yes, it's about masturbation in jail/prison, but I heard the reference of
  "No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women, No fun, no sin, no you, no wonder it's dark" was referring to Japanese men not being able to get women because they're so nerdy, feminine, and have small privates. Hence, the line, "I think I'm turning Japanese." And also looking like Japanese because of slit eyes during masturbation, therefore, making fun of their eyes.
  
  I heard it from someone in the Asian community in Southern California. I don't know what to make of it really.
  
  

  Flag flo001on June 22, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:actually da song is not about materbation at all... the lead singer would say it was just to say ,but tht wasnt da intention of the song. he wrote it bc he used to b obssesive with his gf n they dumped him. turning japanese referrs to turnin into somethin ur not, goin crazy
  ths is da link if the interview with vh1 :youtube.com/…

  Flag rdollon March 08, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:My dad flew F89 fighter jets in Kyushu in the US Air Force for years in the late 50s. He turned me on to music and I turned him on to this song. He loves it. He is 6' 4" and weighs 250. He'd make a large Japanese man.

  Flag tourniquettyon December 28, 2009   Link

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