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Subject: Help.. Vapours song

Written By: pop on 4/30/2000 at 1:35 a.m.

Hi there,

I'm trying to decipher the meaning of 'Turning Japanese' (I've always thought there was one -- to that phrase, or the song itself) ... Can anyone help? I was just a wee one during the '80s so I don't remember learning any background behind it; but I do remember the song.

Much thanks...


Subject: Re: Help.. Vapours song

Written By: Jack Day on 4/30/2000 at 8:08 p.m.

> Hi there,

> I'm trying to decipher the meaning of 'Turning Japanese' (I've always
> thought there was one -- to that phrase, or the song itself) ... Can
> anyone help? I was just a wee one during the '80s so I don't remember
> learning any background behind it; but I do remember the song.

> Much thanks...

It's about masturbation/sex... specifically, the phrasing "turning japanese" refers to the schrunching of the face/squinting of the eyes that many people tend to make during orgasm...

Jack

Subject: Re: Help.. Vapours song

Written By: Peter on 5/1/2000 at 10:26 p.m.

> It's about masturbation/sex... specifically, the phrasing "turning
> japanese" refers to the schrunching of the face/squinting of the eyes
> that many people tend to make during orgasm...

> Jack

Actually, the band hasn't exactly admitted that's the meaning behind the phrase, although they haven't denied it, to my knowledge. I've searched the web for various fan sites on the Vapours, and that seems to be the consensus. It means whatever you want it to mean.

Have fun.

Peter

Subject: Re: Help.. Vapours song

Written By: Linders21 on 5/1/2000 at 10:53 p.m.

> Actually, the band hasn't exactly admitted that's the meaning behind the
> phrase, although they haven't denied it, to my knowledge. I've searched
> the web for various fan sites on the Vapours, and that seems to be the
> consensus. It means whatever you want it to mean.

> Have fun.

> Peter

I was a big Vapours fan in the early 80s (rather young at the time - class of '86). It was well rumored that this song was about masturbation. The song dictates sexual suggestions about him being in jail and looking at "The pictures in his cell", and hence "I'm turning Japanese I really think so". and "No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women, no fun, when it gets dark". It seems very plausible that this song is about masturbation. Anyone else?

Linders21

Subject: Re: Help.. Vapours song

Written By: Peter on 5/1/2000 at 11:16 p.m.

> I was a big Vapours fan in the early 80s (rather young at the time - class
> of '86). It was well rumored that this song was about masturbation. The
> song dictates sexual suggestions about him being in jail and looking at
> "The pictures in his cell", and hence "I'm turning Japanese
> I really think so". and "No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women, no
> fun, when it gets dark". It seems very plausible that this song is
> about masturbation. Anyone else?

> Linders21

I totally agree that this is what the song suggests. It's just that the band apparently claims not to have intended it to be about masturbation. I don't know, I was even younger than you were when the song came out (high school class of '90) but I do remember the song then.

I just thought it was ironic that the band isn't behind the "meaning" of the song, although they may be pulling our leg.....

Peter

Subject: Re: Help.. Vapours song

Written By: Linders21 on 5/1/2000 at 11:33 p.m.

> I totally agree that this is what the song suggests. It's just that the
> band apparently claims not to have intended it to be about masturbation. I
> don't know, I was even younger than you were when the song came out (high
> school class of '90) but I do remember the song then.

> I just thought it was ironic that the band isn't behind the
> "meaning" of the song, although they may be pulling our leg.....

> Peter

Where are these web pages. I must know! It was rather hard finding there albums! (late 80s and early 90s) How many albums are there in total?

Subject: Re: Help.. Vapours song

Written By: Peter on 5/2/2000 at 10:11 p.m.

> Where are these web pages. I must know! It was rather hard finding there
> albums! (late 80s and early 90s) How many albums are there in total?

You may find the answers you need here --

http://hem.passagen.se/pareng/vapors.htm

it's the only Vapours web site I can find right now, and I think there are others, though I can't find them right now.

Try typing in "vapours" in some of the web engines (yahoo, hotbot, etc.)

Good luck!!

Peter