Is the song "Turning Japanese" racist?

Question

I've got your picture
Of me and you
You wrote "I love you"
I wrote "me too"
I sit here 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've got your picture, I've got your picture
I'd like a million of them all to myself
I want a doctor to take your picture
So I can look at you from inside as well

You've got me turning up and turning down
I'm turning in, I'm turning 'round

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
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

I've got your picture, I've got your picture
I'd like a million of them all to myself
I want a doctor to take your picture
So I can look at you from inside as well

You've got me turning up and turning down
I'm turning in, I'm turning 'round

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
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

No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women
No fun, no sin, no you, no wonder it's dark
Everyone around me is a total stranger
Everyone avoids me like a Cyclone Ranger
Everyone

That's why 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
Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so
Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so
Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so

Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so
Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so
Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so
Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so

Answer 1

"Turning Japanese" refers to the facial expression you supposedly get when you masturbate, so its really your call whether or not its racist because of the Asian facial expression aspect of it.

Answer 2

I have heard the other explanation already given,but in the clip, the woman he was singing about was Japanese and the song was about immersing himself in the Japanese culture for the sake of love.

Answer 3

The term "turning Japanese" is slang for masturbation, where the eyes change to half-open before the climax.



It is not racist in those terms, though it is certainly off-color and not recommended for light conversation.

Answer 4

LOL, I didn't know that. That is definately a useful piece of info. Are all of you men? The song makes him sound psycho

Answer 5

The Vapors don't know what RACISM is!

Answer 6

Are u aware its about 'spanking the monkey'?