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Turning Japanese is one of the most misunderstood songs of all time…or is it?

The meaning of the song is questionable. What is not questionable is what a great song this is. You hear it and it just lifts your spirits, makes you feel perky.

As far as the meaning, from Wikipedia

In the US, the song was believed to euphemistically refer to masturbation, specifically referencing certain facial distortions that may resemble the stereotypical image of a Japanese person. In fact, some US media outlets claimed that the phrase “turning Japanese” was a popular euphemism in the UK for masturbation; in reality, however, it has only become such a euphemism subsequent to the release of the song. Dave Fenton would alternately confirm and deny this suggestion in interviews, but admitted the phrase “turning Japanese” just popped into his head one morning when he woke up, and he viewed it as a love song when writing it. The song can be viewed as a love song or the ramblings of a man in a one sided relationship ostracized by society.

But from SongFacts

One of the more misinterpreted songs of all time, word was that “Turning Japanese” refers to the Oriental facial features people get at the moment of climax during masturbation. In a VH1 True Spin special, they asked The Vapors about this song, and they explained that it is a love song about someone who lost their girlfriend and was going slowly crazy. Lead singer Dave Fenton said: “Turning Japanese is all the clichés about angst and youth and turning into something you didn’t expect to.” It was inspired by Fenton’s relationship problems.

Personally, I dunno, but I always thought it was similar to the Who’s Pictures Of Lily, except a much better song.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

I’ve got your picture of me and you
You wrote “I love you” I wrote “me too”
I sit there staring and there’s nothing else to do
Oh 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 around

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, think so, think so
I’m turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so