The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
"Turning Japanese"
I've got your picture of me and you
You wrote I love you, I love you too
I sit and stare at it, 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 you all over 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, I'm turning down
I'm turning in, I'm turning out
I'm 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
I'm 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
I've got your picture, I've got your picture
I'd like a million of you all over 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, I'm turning down
I'm turning in, I'm turning out
I'm 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
I'm 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
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 psyched Lone Ranger, everyone
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
I've got your picture of me and you
You wrote I love you, I love you too
I sit and stare at it, 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 you all over 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, I'm turning down
I'm turning in, I'm turning out
I'm 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
I'm 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
I've got your picture, I've got your picture
I'd like a million of you all over 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, I'm turning down
I'm turning in, I'm turning out
I'm 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
I'm 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
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 psyched Lone Ranger, everyone
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
Lyrics submitted by BrooklynPunk
Turning Japanese Lyrics as written by David Fenton
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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isn't this a cover?
i think so
yeah it is.
yeaaaah...where were you in the eighties...lol
of course it's a cover, the origional was by the vapours.
of course it's a cover, the origional was by the vapours.
I think they did a good cover of this song.... its a pretty funny song too.