The Vapors - Turning Japanese (1980) [1 Hit Wonders Of The 80s] *DayOne Reacts*

[@DayOneReacts]

Holy Crap! Are you guys serious? 🫣🤭

[@donniekelley3907]

Lol

[@barkingsquirrel1751]

YUP. Squinting of the eyes during THE ACT is where the title "TURNING JAPANESE" comes from.

[@eldenjr]

👍😀

[@garyarnett1220]

That was just a rumor

[@entwood]

@@garyarnett1220 Yeah, it draws on the stereotype of Japanese tourists taking photos of everything on their whirlwind tours of Western countries at the time. "I've got your picture".

[@robperry5293]

Turning Japanese is about a guy squinting while polishing his rocket. I would know about that...LOL.

[@martinl8574]

The song is about the faces we make mid coitus.

[@paulhease1007]

It didnt matter how you danced to this track in high school but the more jerky, crazy and original the better.

[@AWalkOnDirt]

My best friend was in a club and this played. He knew the lyrics and belted them out in the club. First time hearing this song was with him singing along. Epic memory.

[@chrisdill2594]

This song paved the way for songs years later like Divinyls - I Touch Myself ...

[@peterwalsh2470]

the way you were dancing reminded me of a Peanuts cartoon character 🤣it's probably the music's fault.

[@josephsiano5447]

Angela Just lovvvvvvve your movements and smile !!!! Getting into it ! Yes a grrrrrrrrrreat song 🎶!!!!!! For SURE ! Rockin

[@frankoberc4717]

To be a little crazy is ok.Your reaction is every time a pleasure. I Know the Song a along time.Your body language is everytime wonderful and sexy..especially to the part in this song when it's going mad.

[@stevensprunger3422]

I was headed back from my job in Missouri to California and this came on the radio

[@Tdub0911]

Who else just saw Nick Cage with purple/punk hair in their minds? Reminded me instantly of Valley Girl. I think I was only ten so since I really didn't know it was a thing I had no clue this was about rubbing one out.

[@bobschenkel7921]

Angela, maybe you could do the French band called The Plastic Bertrand Band who had a One-Hit with "C'est Plaint Por Moi", or "That's Life To Me". I think you'll enjoy it quite a bit. Very Punkish.

[@treetopjones737]

Ça plane pour moi

[@Robert-un7br]

I can’t believe this song only got to #36! That hook is catchy. I was going into my senior year of high school when this came out and I remember it distinctly. The mythology that “turning Japanese” was code for orgasm face came later. 🤣 We all danced pretty much the way you danced to it! 😂 I think your idea to do one hit wonders is a good one!

[@dggydddy59]

I don't know how much later you're thinking, but that's what it meant in 1981, I assure you. I believe the song was released in 1980, so ...

[@Robert-un7br]

@@dggydddy59 Yes I remember the song and the rumors. As with most popular songs, the rumors started sometime after the release. The song peaked at 36 in January of 1980. So sometime in 1981 is relatively much later. Lets face it, it’s not the greatest song in the world. The rumor probably got more air play.

[@dggydddy59]

@@Robert-un7br LOL! Yeah, I'm sure you're right. The rumors definitely helped popularize it. Cheers!

[@treetopjones737]

People should stick with discussing songs that literally were, like Cyndi's "She Bop."

[@kennethmoffat7409]

Heard that line. Was about being or finding out, one was gay.

[@cromptoniser]

Top 5 in the UK

[@auraleous]

It means just what you have heard it means. Watch the movie Personal Best from ‘79 and you’ll hear the Joke (where they got the expression, I’d bet). Remember, Jerry Garcia “didn’t” do drugs, no death metal band would ever cop to the meanings, on and on. It’s called covering your ass.

[@hollywoodpotato5289]

Turning Japanese and Whip It on the same day… 😂😂😂 … all that’s missing is Cindy Lauper’s “She Bop” and Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself.” Go for the quadfecta of 80s masturbatory hits. 🤣

[@flerbus]

Blister in the Sun

[@kylesuperbaby9616]

I touch myself, DIVINYLS

[@scottyhotty1003]

lmaoo😂😂😅😅

[@garyarnett1220]

They denied that's what it was about......but....

[@dennis2966]

@Hollywood Potato -- KZbin allows us to edit our comments. You need to change "Pauper's" to "Lauper's".

[@josephsiano5447]

Great solo at end outdo of song “”””

[@mitchellbeston1033]

"Turning Japanese" was a euphemism.

[@troyshilanski380]

That would be asked on an actual rotary phone. The work to get a date was real.

[@mrnaughtycat]

The Kirsten dunst cover is quite good

[@troyshilanski380]

This is a song shoulda been on the radio more way back when i was a yute.

[@davidpalahinjak8954]

Can't get away with this now! 🤣

[@wayne_twentyfive]

This was a massive song here in Australia ! .. Spent a few weeks at Number 1, and it finished 1980 as one of the biggest selling songs for the year .. Extremely catchy ! .. And I loved your dance moves, Angela .. Very cute.🤗

[@joesmith8725]

New wave punk! Catchy dance music. I was a little kid back then lol

[@BobBilheimer]

“Fun” song 😜

[@ptruscott150trussy4]

Einstine a go go by a band called Landscape its a catchy tune too

[@earthpup]

Toni Basil: Mikey... Should be a one hit wonder.

[@gabrielmcdonnell8699]

Did it already. Done during the Guilty Pleasure theme. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZCpZKhsbZd4ipY

[@wrangler1957]

We appreciate your hard work on this list of One hit wonders of the 80"s.

[@guitarman8462]

Eddie Murphy also had " Boogie In Your Butt ". Although I think that was on his CC comedy album .

[@777petew]

We had fun.

[@busking6292]

This song had the same meaning as the Who's 'pictures of lily'

[@jannuar2009]

The best Music Decade 80's❤❤❤❤

[@ianlove1215]

This was featured, for obvious reasons, in an early Michael Keaton film called Gung Ho. It is a clash of cultures film when some Japanese business men buy an American car factory.

[@BlueHen123]

That was a funny movie!

[@bc2198]

I'd like to add a one hit wonder to the list...Sky High by Jigsaw

[@hudahekizzy8402]

Catchy song and insanely tight band. Deserved better.

[@scottvassiliou6446]

Great one hit wonder, Angela. Extremely catchy tune!

[@brianjomansenstinesmith5132]

there is a fun vide of this with kirstin dunst that is fun

[@brianjomansenstinesmith5132]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWG7ZHaCf7uAgLc

[@garywicker2791]

Really never heard it before....sorry. Have great day. Love your reactions.

[@csedrivers2850]

Ive always kinda liked this jam. 🙃

[@thunderstruck5484]

Wow those fun very early days of spending hours watching mtv or something similar, haha awesome thanks for the nostalgia Angela!

[@AWalkOnDirt]

I am going to subscribe since the ring tone for my wife is a 80s one hit wonder. Can’t wait for that one. “I Melt with You”

[@gabrielmcdonnell8699]

Unfortunately, “I Melt With You” didn’t crack the US TOP 40.

[@treetopjones737]

1983, the song peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and number 78 on the main Billboard Hot 100

[@gabrielmcdonnell8699]

@@treetopjones737 yep and the latter is what Angela’s May theme is based on which is unfortunate bc IMWY is a classic. And it became commercial allowing her Baby Boomer subs to know it as well.

[@long-timemusicenthusiast2243]

Hi Angela, loved this song & the one by Aneka in 1981 called Japanese Boy.

[@stuBdoc]

This song and Jenny were the soundtrack of the early 80's. Fun stuff!!

[@cspaikido]

Supposedly this song along with Devo's Whip It is about self-pleasure.

[@troyshilanski380]

Hey i stole some of my dads whiskey, are you going to the roller rink tonight or the movies?

[@rutssy]

Great song. Happy you enjoyed it Angela!

[@stevenatkinson2360]

It went to number 1n Australia

[@bryanforis1839]

Great song one first songs a DJ great music lots of movies

[@guitarman8462]

Angela , do you know what the song means by : The Vapors ? 😏

[@_stardust62]

I had this cassette tape and the whole album is awesome!!...played it often!

[@josephsiano5447]

WOW !

[@Malfie657]

A local band to me and the very first band I ever saw live - they played my school and a few small local music venues near me when they first started out. The band had close connections to the already famous and much more established 'The Jam' (Jam bassist Bruce Foxton spotted them in a pub and Paul Weller's dad went on to manage them for a while). Incidentally, despite all of the rumour mill nods and winks, vocalist Dave Fenton always denied that the song was about...well, you know what!!

[@siete223]

Love that song

[@jayjayjase9796]

Went to number 1 here in Australia

[@troyshilanski380]

Same with the song cars, Devos whip it..l etc

[@mikefurlong8268]

i remember all one hit wonders of the 80s i left school in 1981 i would love u to rect to a floor filler from 1983 from the artist booker newbury the 3rd called love town guaranteed to get u dancing love u reactions mike from england

[@hughphillips1427]

The band is from Guildford, Surrey, UK not far from where I live. It charted at number 3 in the UK charts in 1980.

[@victorduffany7723]

I really like your idea of the one hit wonders. What a fun song!!

[@yorkvillevic6528]

Trifecta would "on the mexican radio"

[@richiewest7495]

Yes, my thoughts... " a fun song".

[@robertmiller2633]

Angela is just so damn cute I can't concentrate on the song !!!

[@jimmcget98]

#dayone reacts How about a collection of Best of the 70's or 80's

[@timothyteater1347]

Thanks!

[@brentdallyn8459]

Check out The flying lizards only radio hit "Money" a cover of the Beatles tune of the same name, hard to believe this song made money lol

[@erickent3557]

that song certainly stuck in my and my brother's heads. Such an interesting angle and cool "drum" sound. But I recall that was tail end of the 70s so might not make Angela's 80's one hit wonders.

[@brentdallyn8459]

@@erickent3557 wasn't paying close enough attention to the decade she was reacting to, you're right.

[@stevetanner3019]

I had a gut feeling after you did Whip It by Devi you might do this

[@Rexerman89]

"Great cult 80's song.......................Buy their greatest hits album "ANTHOLOGY", you won't regret it! Waiting For The Weekend, News At Ten, Jimmy Jones, Spiders, Letter To Hiro!"

[@seannovack3834]

Love the new intro!

[@willfromyadkinville]

if you dive deeper this song means so much more!

[@mftoms59]

Which is why I think it's the Funniest songs that's not a parody of A song. In my personal top twenty favorites IMO, as fresh as the first time I listened to it..

[@victorramsey5575]

Cool concept here... 1 hit wonders. You should check out Voices Carry by Till Tuesday. Amy Mann was a very underrated vocalist.

[@gabrielmcdonnell8699]

She reacted to it already. Enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWPOdmiHZ5qloNU

[@Packard63]

Holding my hands up......i bought the single when it was released.......and i still have it but it was a great song then and now.

[@douglaslawson9923]

"Turning Japanese" is a euphemism for masterbation. If you pantomime the act of Hari kiri, as a male...get it now? The obsession with her picture? So he can look at her from "inside" as well? "I often kiss you when there's no one else around,"? Amazing. Hilarious. But quite obvious.

[@djm2459]

I recommend News at Ten another great song of them

[@WWH88-u6u]

Angela is beautiful.that smile!❤

[@markantinozzi8657]

I had her

[@robbielux8353]

Although their only American hit, they are an amazing band and this album is great from top to bottom

[@MarcoSilva-pn6ld]

New Clears Days....I love it.

[@Tdub0911]

Not sure if many of us knew this was about masturbating at the time it came out.

[@davidharrison4881]

You all know this song is about mastur-bation?

[@doplinger1]

I want to be there when she learns what “turning Japanese” means! 😂😂😂

[@wfemp_4730]

It's not what you think, that's just a falsehood that caught fire.

[@jessenuf]

It’s the face during climax. Squinty eyed…

[@wfemp_4730]

@@jessenuf It is not.

[@jeffjackson8475]

I want a doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well??? @wfemp_4730 what do you think that means? LOL!

[@danjoda755]

I'm fairly sure our dear Angela would have turned 50 shades of red if she had any idea of the intent of this funny, silly tune 😂😊

[@thrusta100]

No , that’s a myth it’s not about that, been debunked many times from the horses mouth himself...🤦‍♂️🙄

[@danjoda755]

@aaron bron One of the more misinterpreted songs of all time, word was that "Turning Japanese" refers to the Asian 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. A quick bit of reading unearthed this excerpt which validates your point.

[@normandavidtidiman9918]

​@thrusta100 He/they would deny it though...

[@jamesrussell6663]

I think you’re correct...😂

[@danjoda755]

@James Russell Even though it was rebutted in an interview, I still think the double entendre is inescapable, lollllll 🤣😂

[@zzekezzypt]

They did two great albums, well worth listening to too. Deffo had more to offer than this very catchy bop.

[@eldenjr]

Kirsten Dunst done great cover if this. Yes, that Kirsten! Gives a whole new reason to Turn Japanese! 😂😂 Love the channel, Angela!

[@gabrielmcdonnell8699]

MTV’s early days. 😎 Shout out to Vern and Icurious14u. Angela chose your suggestion. 👏🏾

[@augustofaustinodecastro5492]

Seu canal é maravilhoso 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@richtensail]

sometimes words have 2 meanings!, was a bigr hit here in au.

[@FoamySlobbers]

Frontman Dave Fenton has always been a bit cagey about the song’s origin, saying on Vh1 (via Songfacts), “Turning Japanese is all the clichés about angst and youth and turning into something you didn’t expect to”. There’s nothing wrong with a traditional coming-of-age tale, but it was widely presumed that the song is about masturbation. Since ‘Turning Japanese’ is about nervous energy, the conclusion made by many was the track’s title was about how one’s facial expression looks when climaxing. The band has always denied the comparison, but it is easy to see where the rumours came from when looking deeper at the lyrics. Elsewhere in the song, Fenton talks about only having a picture of this object of his affection and that he wants to kiss it when there’s no one else around. Even when this person wrote ‘I love you’ on the picture, his response of ‘me too’ suggests that he may be up to naughty things in secret.

[@raybernal6829]

Sure Jan .. 😅

[@ethelwulfmountbattenderoth2286]

Let me tell you a secret. Everybody knows this song...and it's great, but the whole album is great. The original release of this album, "New Clear Days," is fantastic. From beginning to end. Really really underrated. Their follow up album, "Magnets," is not as great. Subsequent releases have included material from, "Magnets," mixed up with material from, "New Clear Days." That's why I am specific about the original, "New Clear Days," album. It's a post punk gem.

[@snowy.777]

Yes Queen 👑🙌.. can you play (Best of me) ... singer Anthony Hamilton Thank you

[@gabrielmcdonnell8699]

Love me some AH but unfortunately for this channel, “Best Of Me” is too new. Angela’s cut-off is 2003 or earlier.

[@josephsiano5447]

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶👍🤣😁👏

[@johnthegreek5836]

Remember the song, never seen the video

[@bobschenkel7921]

As opposed to DEVO, The Vapors are a true One-Hit Wonder band. This song was BIG when I was in college. The rumor was that the song was about, mmm...well you'll find out.

[@wfemp_4730]

The band dispelled that rumor.

[@pflynn581]

Not in the UK .They had another hit called Jimmy Jones.

[@russellsearch7925]

It’s the five knuckle shuffle Angela!

[@Steven-le4bc]

I saw an interview with the lead singer and writer of the song on VH1 saying that that's the meaning of the song.

[@davids5336]

This one might be considered racist by some people, but people are so sensitive and hard to please! Oh well, that's what makes like so interesting and petrifying I suppose! Let's see how far we get! Fun song😂😢😮 You really love to cook, don't you? Maybe you can start a cooking channel and show us your favorite recipes! You know I like to be a smart ass and sarcastic! Later!

[@bothworlds69]

I challenge you to listen to Teena Marie "Portuguese Love"

[@pexxos1]

Songs about masturbation are divinely inspired by God himself.

[@chitownlee]

Please, will you record your reaction when you find out what this song is about.

[@Jims_Camera_at_dawn]

I was about to tell her but luckily I read your comment first. RECORD WHEN YOU LEARN THE MEANING!!! 😉

[@bobbyg7102]

😂😂😂

[@wgdavis5353]

U got me Ms D., Don't know this group nor have I heard this song.. Not missed much.. ♠W.G.

[@SEANBANOG4]

A song about excessive masturbation.

[@12BRAVO28ID]

Wow! I forgot how much silly fun this song is. A lot of 80's nostalgia! What about the Fixx, 'One Thing Leads to Another', Eddie Grant, 'Electric Ave', Gary Numan's 'Cars' or 'Come on Eileen' by Dexy's Midnight Runners, 'I Want to Be Sedated', Ramones, 'Jenny' by Tommy Two Tone were all fun one hit wonders back then that I would like to see your reaction to.

[@richtensail]

if one studies v lyrics its not so happy!

[@jgates6645]

Rumor has it that this song was written by Ivan Yackingoff....