Japan in Rock & Pop Lyrics

[Mulboyne]

I just caught the song below again the other night and, since it is one of the better ones, it struck me that Japan gets an even worse deal in lyrics than in film, TV or print. This already takes up a lot of space so I'll put some other selections in an absurdly long additional post.

"Discovering Japan" by Graham Parker (1979)
Her heart is nearly breaking, the earth is nearly quaking
The Tokyo's taxi's braking, it's screaming to a halt
And there's nothing to hold on to when gravity betrays you
And every kiss enslaves you-oo-oo

She knows how hard her heart grows under the nuclear shadows
She can't escape the feeling repeating in her head
When after all the urges some kind of truth emerges
We felt the deadly surges

Discovering Japan--an --an
Discovering Japan--an --an

The GIs only use her, they only ram right through her
Giving an eastern promise, that they could never keep
Seeing a million miles, between their joke and smiles
She heard their hard denials [don't pause]

As the tears dropped sideways down her face, face
I woke up talking in the tongue of a different race, race
And as the flight touches down my watch says 8:02
But that's midnight to you,
Midnight to you Midight to you

I dreamed headlong collisions in jet lag panavisions
I shouted sayonara it didn't mean goodbye
But lovers turn to posers show up in film exposures
Just like in travel brochures
Discovering Japan Discovering Japan

[Mulboyne]

"Move to Japan" by Jericho (1993)
Well, I'm starin' at my Sony, a-drinkin' Kirun beer.
I had a nickel in my pocket when it all came clear.
I hopped into my Honda, it's a little bitty car.
And I'm drivin' down to meet you at the Sushi Bar.
But don't tell me I'm crazy until you hear my plan.
I'm gonna buy two tickets and move to Japan.

I'm gonna move to Japan,
I'm gonna move to Japan.

So if you've got no job and runnin' out of dough,
And they moved the factory down to Mexico,
Just pack your bags and don't forget your Kimona,
And you'll be followin' me, honey, all the way to Yokohama.

We're gonna move to Japan,
We're gonna move to Japan.

Tokyo's got the neon.
I put a pot of green tea on.
Akira Kurosawa,
Sapporo Okinawa.
Girls with almond eyes,
Eatin' seaweed and rice.
It's the land of tradition,
But I'm a man on a mission.

When we get to Japan we're gonna do our part,
We're gonna love Japan with all of our heart.

From the unemployment line I see lots to be done
And they're taking all hands in the land of the risin' sun.
And I love my mom and my apple pie,
But sayonara Uncle Sam, hello Samurai.

We're gonna move to Japan,
We're gonna move to Japan,
We're gonna move to Japan,
Hey, we're gonna move to Japan,
The home of the working man.

It's rolling.

"Japanese Dream" by The Cure (1987)
I'm going back to the land of the blind
Back to the land where the sun never shines
I'm going back there and I'm hoping to find
Everything just as it was before
I left it all behind

I slept at nights there hysterically
Twisted and turned
But I just couldn't get free
Opened my eyes
But I still couldn't see
But I could feel her
China white girl

So I get down on the floor
Like I am worshipping god
Burning like a monkey
I get down on the floor
Like I am praying to the lord
Burning like a monkey

Mmmmmm that was a Japanese dream alright
The sound of the storm
And the flickering light
And the way that her scent used to fill up the night like...
Like her scent used to fill up the night

So I get down on the floor
Like I am worshipping god
Burning like a monkey
I get down on the floor
Like I am praying to the lord
Burning like a monkey

Just look at me now
Just look at me this way
It looks like I am quite insane
It looks like I am trying to eat off my face
It looks like I'm going to the land of the blind anyway
Back where the sun never shines
Back to the land of the blind
Back in a Japanese dream

"Japanese Hands" by Elton John (1988)
Outside I can hear the fireworks
Beyond the paper walls
Where the symbols painted black and white
Run together when the rain falls
And the wind chimes across Kyoto
Each time the earth moves
Was it the quake that shook me
Or was it something to do with you

And the hot wind heats the bamboo blinds
And your almond eyes always shine
Sitting cool behind your painted fan
All the secrets of the east
Conceal the beauty and the beast
For tender is the man in her Japanese hands

Flesh on silk looks different
Than on a cotton sheet back home
Where no one wears their hair like yours
Beneath those oriental combs
And with your thirsty fingers
Running up and down my spine
You forget the western woman
When you're sleeping on Kyoto time

And the sky explodes
and the moon grows cold
To the distant sound of drums
And the sky explodes
And the moon grows cold
As the dragons on the mainland
Wait to heat the sun

"Japan" by The Presidents of the U.S.A (1997)
Big shiny jet plane in the sky
Please drop us off as we go by
We're an American band
And everything is rockin' out of control
When we hit Japan
Faxes from the veiwers on tv
Karioke hokey-pokey on the screen
Dig my toes into the Pacific sand
And everything is rockin' out of control
When we hit Japan (x3)
Yeah, 20 tonnes of Sushi-lovin' fun
(Yum yum)
The kiddy line will thank you one by one
(Arigato)
Please come out to see us when we land
And everything is rockin' out of control
When we hit Japan (x25)
Yeah, hi ya!
Wo-wo-ho-wo-wo-ho-ho-ho

"Big in Japan" by Alphaville (1992)
winter's cityside
crystal bits of snowflakes all around my head and in the wind
I had no illusions
that I'd ever find a glimps of summer's heatwaves in your eyes
you did what you did to me, now it's history I see
here's my comeback on the road again
things will happen while they can
I will wait here for my man tonight, it's easy when your big in japan

when your big in japan, tonight
big in japan, be tight, big in japan where the eastern sea's so blue
big in japan, alright, pay, then I'll sleep by your side
things are easy when you're big in japan, when you're big in japan

neon on my naked skin
passing silhouettes of strange illuminated mannequins
shall I stay here at the zoo
or shall I go and change my point of view for other ugly scenes
you did what you did to me, now it's history I see...
things will happen while they can
I will wait here for my man tonight, it's easy when you're big in japan

"Tokyo" by Sky (2000)
Flew in Friday night
Twelve hours, my head felt tired
Couldn't stop for too long
Between here and oz, I knew we'd gone
A long way from our home
Cultural shock was stinger strong
It didn't matter 'cause for me
Adventure is what I need and so did she
'Stasia said ";let's get wild";
I want to see the town and maybe find a place to dance and have a good time
'Cause Tony you see I've got needs if you please
How does it feel to be out here without a home
Y'all keep on moving 'til you find what you're searching

Friday night, I'm on the floor
I can't get enough but I want some more
I know we'll back another day
Dancing all night in Tokyo
Flash of light through the door
Just like a kid in a candy store
My favourite track, I have to stay
Dancing all night in Tokyo
As I thought, the venue was fine
The people were crazy, the people were high
You got to know about my friend called Alexis
He humped a ride here from Texas
State of mind, we all try
To do our best from time to time
So now we're here across the world
Still don't know where I belong
How does it feel to be out here without a home
Y'all keep on moving 'til you find what you're searching

"Tokyo Eye" by Sonic Youth (1994)
Tokyo eye, Tokyo crying somewhere
seeking inside, supermen sighing nowhere
seven to nine, luck is around this sun bear
fur in the night, Kansai woman goes out
soak in the eye, Osaka crying for you
ship in the light, sing in the water sun dew
ticket to die, ticket to ride the junk star
shielded in white, Kansai girl in black dew

Tokyo eye, Tokyo crying somewhere
seeking inside, supermen sighing nowhere
soaking in my eye, soaking in my eye grey leaf
she dig to cry, she dig to cry love funny
fur in the eye, Kansai girl is kiss teen
fun in the light, crying away to sun bear

"Tokyo" by 10cc (1978)
Transistorised, and anodised
Chrome plated, squeaky clean
Oh Tokyo, oh Tokyo
Oh Tokyo I love you
You're trembling, you're choking
But you're magical to me
Oh Tokyo, oh Tokyo
Oh Tokyo I love you
Kimonos, and Geisha girls
From grade one, down to three
Oh Tokyo, oh Tokyo
Oh Tokyo I love you
Land of the rising sun
You have taken my heart away
With your beauty you nearly blinded me
In your beauty I want to stay
I bow to you with my heart
I think of you every day
When I dream you are there beside me
But when I waken you're far away
Perfection, in miniature
With tiny hands, smiling eyes
Oh Tokyo, oh Tokyo
Oh Tokyo I love you
Tokyo

"Woman From Tokyo" by Deep Purple (1972)
Fly into the rising sun,
Faces, smiling everyone
Yeah, she is a whole new tradition
I feel it in my heart

Chorus: My woman from Tokyo
She makes me see
My woman from Tokyo
She's so good to me

Talk about her like a Queen
Dancing in a Eastern Dream
Yeah, she makes me feel like a river
That carries me away

Chorus

But I'm at home and I just don't belong ...

So far away from the garden we love
She is what moves in the soul of a dove
Soon I shall see just how black was my night
When we're alone in Her City of light

Rising from the neon gloom
Shining like a crazy moon
Yeah, she turns me on like a fire
I get high

Chorus

"Tokyo" by Donna Summer (1983)
Met this stranger there, so I was
feeling somewhat scared
when I vacationed in a land that I
didn't know that well
but all the ladies there were nice
the gentlemen politely out of line
I kept on thinking how I'd like
to spend some time
I couldn't make up my mind, still
waitin' for the right sign
I was down in Tokyo
livin' in hotel Imperial

Met this man, he was something
very strange
said he was a spy from somewhere
else way far away
he told me things about myself that
I could tell nobody else
passed this message on to me, said
spirits move in secrecy
I could almost read the man's mind
waitin' for the right sign

I really wanna know if I'm gonna go
live my life in Tokyo, live my life in
Tokyo
Tokyo, live my life in Tokyo

He passed this message on to me
said spirits move in secrecy
a double agent amnesty
an Ian Fleming mystery

I, I know I read the man's mind
I know I got the right sign

I really wanna know if I'm gonna go
live my life in Tokyo, live my life in
Tokyo
Tokyo, live my life in Tokyo
live my life in Tokyo, live my life in
Tokyo
Tokyo, live my life in Tokyo

"Tokyo Girl" by Ace of Base (1998)
Tokyo girl, Tokyo girl
You've got the moves to rule the world
That cute inscru-tability
Tokyo girl, you're a mystery

Tokyo girl, Tokyo girl
Shaking up hearts around the world
You can't forget that stunning face
Smiling at you it's your destiny

She's got the face sweet as a baby
Elegant taste and money to burn
Her ";yes"; is ";no";, ";no"; is a ";maybe";
Her language is so hard to learn

Tokyo girl, Tokyo girl
You've got the moves to rule the world
That cute inscru-tability
Tokyo girl, you're a mystery

In Tokyo

Though there's a fire burns inside here
Outside is ivory, silk and ice
Nothing she wants is denied her
You'd better take my advice

Many has tried to get near her
Deep in the heart of Tokyo
Found nothing there but a mirror
She's no one you'll ever know

Tokyo girl, Tokyo girl
You've got the moves to rule the world
That cute inscru-tability
Tokyo girl, you're a mystery

In Tokyo

She's got the face sweet as a baby
Elegant taste and money to burn
Her ";yes"; is ";no";, ";no"; is a ";maybe";
Her language is so hard to learn

Tokyo girl, Tokyo girl
You've got the moves to rule the world
That cute inscru-tability
Tokyo girl, you're a mystery

Tokyo girl, Tokyo girl
Shaking up hearts around the world
You can't forget that stunning face
Smiling at you it's your destiny

In Tokyo - sweet as a baby
In Tokyo - sweet as a baby
In Tokyo - sweet as a baby
Sweet as a baby
Sweet as a baby
Sweet as a baby

"Tokyo Love Song" by The Arrogant Worms (1994)
We had a love that was so bright
I used to dream of her each night
And rush to her side every morning (Whoooo!)
I had her all to myself
We never noticed anyone else
We didn't even hear the radio warning

Our love was no joke you know
It was the talk of downtown Tokyo
We'll be happy forever, I promised her
But just as I proposed
Her feet were made to touch her nose..
As she was crushed by a Japanese monster! (Ahhh.. ahhh.. ahhh.. ahhhh!! GODZILLA!!)

Our love was so true
But now she's three-foot-two
And she used to be five-foot-eleven
Her death was unintentional
But now she's two-dimensional
My angel is truly in Heaven.

She's the one I'd kiss and hug
Till she was crushed like a bug
I guess it's hard to
See a monster above you.

She said she'd save her heart for me
But now it's there for all to see
And her last words to me
Were ";I.....ARGHHH!";

Our love was so true
But now she's three-foot-two
And she used to be five-foot-eleven
Her death was unintentional
But now she's two-dimensional
My angel is truly in Heaven.

Take it, George!

She was young (so young)
And sweet (so sweet)
But now she's part (she's part)
Of the street (the street)
I want (so much)
To have her back (come back)
So I'll get a putty knife so I can scrape her from the crack.

Ewww.. You might need a wire brush.

Our love was so true
But now she's three-foot-two
And she used to be five-foot-eleven
Her death was unintentional
But now she's two-dimensional
My angel is truly in Heaven.
My angel is truly in Heaven..
My angel is truly in Heaven!

"Geisha Boys and Temple Girls" by Heaven 17 (1981)
Look ahead, on the screen,
Slim perfect creatures and they're just 16
Their eyes meet, this is it,
The contact so much more than words can transmit
he stands up, she gives in,
Their first encounter, their embrace within
A short ride, they arrive,
There is no doubt that true love will survive

Chorus:We are the geisha boys
Doing it wrong again
They are the chosen ones
Doing it right
Here come the temple girls
Looking for sanctuary
Naked as advertised
For the first time
Here we are late at night
We are both refugees
There is no easy way
Let it be right
Anything's possible
If you can fake it, but
The wrong place is anywhere
If you're not right

If you turn away from the screen
Another version can be seen
She is black, he is white
They love each other but they also fight
Back from work, she's not home
Another evening angry, all alone
She arrives and he departs
Misunderstandings, then the breakdown starts

Chorus

There's not much that you can do
Choose either one of them it could be you
The first time could be the only time
The odds against you and your hopes decline
Do it right, do it wrong
Console yourself that either won't last long
Geisha boys and temple girls
Make contact or remain in separate worlds

Chorus

"I Love Your Sushi" by Daphne & Celeste (2000)
Let me tell ya all about the other night
When we were hanging out at the sumo fight
I was told these guys were warrior fighters
The home come they're still wear diapers
How many doughnuts do ya get through in a day
Just to keep ya looking that way
You're riding the road to self destruction
Hey mister! You need liposuction!

Teriaki makes me happy
Give it up for Celeste and Daphne!
Teriaki makes me happy
Well that's what he said his name was

I love your shushi
Daphne and Celeste - East meets west (ergh)
I love your shushi
We' come to hang in ole' Japan!
I thought I'd let ua know that it was hard to go
Away from home alone right here in Tokyo
But a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do
And I think it's time we made our Japanese debut
It's customary here to take the shoes off you feet (poo ee)
And ya cross your legs on the floor when ya eat
This is no wisecrack but when ya hit the sack
These futons are like a rock
And they're breaking my back

I love your shushi
Daphne and Celeste - East meets west (ergh)
I love your shushi
We' come to hang in ole' Japan!
You love sci-fi - bonsaI - stir fry
I love Lucy on my T.V!
You love eastwood cowboy movies
Howdy doody I love sushi
You love rockin' - rollin' - bowlin'
I love Lucy on my T.V.
You love noodles - yankie doodles
Howdy doody I love sushi
I love your shushi
Got me a koto in Kumumoto
Traded it for an Elvis photo
I love your sushi
Kareoked almost every night
I knocked 'em dead with the voice (yea right)

I love your shushi
Daphne and Celeste - East meets west (ergh)
I love your shushi
We're telling you Japan is cool!

"Samurai" by Handsome Devil (2001)
I did some time in Tokyo in a dojo
Learned karate and kung fu
And judo because you know
I'm a fuckin' samurai from the darkside
Eating fried rice, and I lie
I'm not Bruce Lee, I'm not Chinese
I'm on the trapeze, and I'm free
In Nagasaki, I'm drinking saki
And watching hockey in my jockeys
And I'm a servant to technology
I'm a fuckin' samurai, from the darkside
Eating fried rice, and I lie
I'm not Bruce Lee, I'm not Chinese
I'm on the trapeze, and I'm free
In my Nissan, I put the priest on
And I head out on the highway to Budokan
I'm metal basted and domo wasted
I'm a fuckin' samurai from the darkside
Eating fried rice, and I lie
I'm not Bruce Lee, I'm not Chinese
I'm on the trapeze, and I'm free

[Mulboyne]

"Hiroshima" by Sandra (1990)
there's a shadow of a man at hiroshima
where he passed the moon
in a wonderland at hiroshima
beneath the august moon
and the world remembers his face
remembers the place was here

fly the metal-bird to hiroshima
and the way a load
speak a magic word to hiroshima
let the sky explode
and the world remembers his name
remembers the flame was hiroshima

and the world remembers his name
remembers the flame was
hiroshima, hiroshima, hiroshima ...

"Hiroshima" by Utopia (1990)
Under the rising sun dirty yellow children play
And in the red pagoda mamasan is praying
Blood wasted saving face, ancestors are looking on
As they wave their silver samurai underneath the big gun
Hiroshima, no one could imagine
Not the victors nor the victims
Pitiful survivors nor the pawn of a man
who had the button under his hand
No one would believe it
God, God is on our side, he placed the power in our hands
To teach the yellow peril, this is Christian mercy
Harry, Harry give 'em hell, give 'em hell one more time again
We'll show those axis powers how to make an oven [fry them]
Hiroshima, Nagasaki
Don't you ever forget, don't you ever fuckin' forget

This is the official voice of the United States of America addressing the
peoples of the islands of Japan. Tomorrow morning, on August 15th, 1945 at exactly 8:15 am, we will bomb your cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima with a blast that will level these cities. This is the only alert you will receive.

"Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (part 1) by The Flaming Lips
Her name is Yoshimi
she's a black belt in karate
working for the city
she has to discipline her body

'Cause she knows that
it's demanding
to defeat those evil machines
I know she can beat them

Oh Yoshimi, they don't believe me
but you won't let those robots eat me
Yoshimi, they don't believe me
but you won't let those robots defeat me

Those evil-natured robots
they're programmed to destroy us
she's gotta be strong to fight them
so she's taking lots of vitamins

'Cause she knows that
it'd be tragic
if those evil robots win
I know she can beat them

Oh Yoshimi, they don't believe me
but you won't let those robots defeat me
Yoshimi, they don't believe me
but you won't let those robots eat me

Yoshimi

'Cause she knows that
it'd be tragic
if those evil robots win
I know she can beat them

Oh Yoshimi, they don't believe me
but you won't let those robots defeat me
Yoshimi, they don't believe me
but you won't let those robots defeat me

Oh Yoshimi, they don't believe me
but you won't let those robots eat me
Yoshimi, they don't believe me
but you won't let those robots eat me

Yoshimi

[AssKissinger]

Tom Waits
Mule Variations (1999)
Big In Japan

I got the style but not the grace
I got the clothes but not the face
I got the bread but not the butter
I got the winda but not the shutter

But I'm big in Japan I'm big in Japan But heh I'm big in Japan

I got the house but not the deed
I got the horn but not the reed
I got the cards but not the luck
I got the wheel but not the truck

But heh I'm big in Japan I'm big in Japan I'm big in Japan

I got the moon I got the cheese I got the whole damn nation
On its knees I got the rooster I got the crow
I got the ebb I got the flow

I got the powder but not the gun
I got the dog but not the bun
I got the clouds but not the sky
I got the stripes but not the tie

But heh I'm big in Japan I'm big in Japan I'm big in Japan

Heh ho they love the way I do it
Heh ho there's really nothing to it

I got the moon I got the cheese
I got the whole damn nation on their knees
I got the rooster I got the crow
I got the ebb I got the flow

I got the sizzle but not the steak
I got the boat but not the lake
I got the sheets but not the bed
I got the jam but not the bread

But heh I'm big in Japan I'm big in Japan I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan, I'm big in Japan

More from artist :
Tom Waits



More from album :
Mule Variations

Big in Japan" by Alphaville (1992)
winter's cityside
crystal bits of snowflakes all around my head and in the wind
I had no illusions
that I'd ever find a glimps of summer's heatwaves in your eyes
you did what you did to me, now it's history I see
here's my comeback on the road again
things will happen while they can
I will wait here for my man tonight, it's easy when your big in japan

when your big in japan, tonight
big in japan, be tight, big in japan where the eastern sea's so blue
big in japan, alright, pay, then I'll sleep by your side
things are easy when you're big in japan, when you're big in japan

neon on my naked skin
passing silhouettes of strange illuminated mannequins
shall I stay here at the zoo
or shall I go and change my point of view for other ugly scenes
you did what you did to me, now it's history I see...
things will happen while they can
I will wait here for my man tonight, it's easy when you're big in japan

[AssKissinger]

Turning Japanese
The Vapors


I 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 have to kiss you when there's no one else around

I got your picture, I got your picture
I'd like a million of you over myself
I want a doctor to take a picture
So I can look at you from inside as well
You've got me turning up and turning down
and turning in and 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
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 got your picture, I got your picture
I'd like a million of you over myself
I want a doctor to take a picture
So I can look at you from inside as well
You've got me turning up and turning down
and turning in and 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
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 Psyclone 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...

[AssKissinger]

Roger Waters wrote a lot of derogratory stuff aabout Japan

PINK FLOYD LYRICS

"Not Now John"

fuck all that we've got to get on with these
got to compete with the wily japanese
there's too many home fires burning
and not enough trees
so fuck all that
we've got to get on with these
cant stop lose job mind gone silicon
what bomb get away pay day make hay
break down need fix big six
clickity click hold on oh no brrrrrrrrrring bingo!
make em laugh make em cry make em dance in the aisles
make em pay make em stay make em feel ok
not now john
we've got to get on with the film show
hollywood waits at the end of the rainbow
who cares what it's all about
as long as the kids go
not now john
got to get on with the show
hang on john
we've got to get on with this
i don't know what it is
but it fits on here like this ...
come at the end of the shift
we'll go and get pissed
but not now john
i've got to get on with this
hold on john
i think there's something good on
i used to read books but ...
it could be the news
or some other abuse
or it could be reusable shows
fuck all that we've got to get on with these
got to compete with the wily japanese
no need to worry about the vietnamese
got to bring the russian bear to his knees
well, maybe not the russian bear
maybe the swedes
we showed argentina
now lets go and show these
make us feel tough
and won't maggie be pleased
nah nah nah nah nah nah!
s'cusi dove il bar
se para collo pou eine toe bar
s'il vous plait ou est le bar
oi' where's the fucking bar john!

[Captain Japan]

"Kyoto Song" The Cure(1985)
a nightmare of you
of death in the pool
wakes me up at quarter to three
i'm lying on the floor of the night before
with a stranger lying next to me
a nightmare of you
of death in the pool
i see no further now than this dream
the trembling hands of the trembling man
hold my mouth
to hold in a scream

i try to think
to make it slow
if only here is where i go
if this is real
i have to see
i turn on fire
and next to me...
it looks good!
it tastes like nothing on earth
it looks good!
it tastes like nothing on earth
its so smooth it even feels like skin
it tells me how it feels to be new

it tells me how it feels to be new
a thousand voices whisper it true
it tells me how it feels to be new
and every voice belongs
every voice belongs to you



"Kabuki Girl" Descendents (1981)
Look out get out of my way
I'm going to the atomic cafe
I'm going to the atomic cafe
You're a mystery to me kabuki girl
Don't say sayanaro
I want to see you tomorrow
I want to see you tonight
You're a mystery to me kabuki girl
Your face is white your hair is black
You'll probably stab me in the back
But that's the chance I'm gonna take
Don't say sayanaro
I want to see you tomorrow
I want to see you tonight
You're a mystery to me kabuki girl
East is east, west is west
Girls from the east are the best
They got more of what I'm looking for
Look out get out of my way
I'm going to the atomic cafe
I'm going to the atomic cafe
You're a mystery to me kabuki girl

[AssKissinger]

More Pink Floyd:

THE POST WAR DREAM

Tell me true, tell me why
Was Jesus crucified?
Is it for this that dady died?
Was it for you? Was it me?
Did I watch too much TV?
Is there a hint of accusation
in your eyes
If it wasn't for the nips
Being so good at building ships
The yards would still be open
on a clyde
And it can't be much fun for them
Beneath the rising sun
Will all their kids commiting
suicide
What have we done
Maggie, what have we done
What have we done
To England
Should we shout
Should we scream
What happen to the post war dream
Oh Maggie, Maggie, what have we
done?

[AssKissinger]

Roger Waters' solo

These are the pros and cons of hitchhiking
These are the pros and cons of hitchhiking
Oh babe, I must be dreaming
I'm standing on the leading edge
The Eastern seaboard spread before my eyes
"Jump" says Yoko Ono
"I'm too scared and too good looking" I cried
"Go on", she says
"Why don't you give it a try?
Why prolong the agony all men must die"
Do you remember Dick Tracy?
Do you remember Shane?

Child: "And mother wants you"

Could you see him selling tickets
Where the buzzard circles over

Child: "Shane"

The body on the plain
Did you understand the music Yoko
Or was it all in vain?

Child: "Shane"

The bitch said something mystical "Herro"
So I stepped back on the kerb again

These are the pros and cons of hitchhiking
These are the pros and cons of hitchhiking
Oh babe, I must be dreaming again
These are the pros and cons of hitchhiking

[Captain Japan]

Dickies "(I'm Stuck In A Pagoda With) Tricia Toyota" (1979)

I came home one night tuned my T.V.
in
my favorite show was about to begin
as I was scanning across the dial
I saw her read the news with delectable style
Then I was sure that within a while

I was Stuck
Stuck in a pagoda
with Tricia Toyota
I'm Stuck
We were watching Abe Vigoda
then every thing will be fine

Later that night we went for a drive
and I can say I never felt more alive
taking in the sights of old Tokyo
with Tricia by my side and money to blow
I knew then I never wanted to let her go

[Chorus]

[Lead]

[Chorus]

Always in a daze Always in a dream
Always find that things are not what they seem
A little Asian Goddess came from up above
I thank you NBC for sending my love
And Tricia is the one I've been dreaming of

[Chorus]

[AssKissinger]

With a purposeful grimace and a terrible sound
He pulls the spitting high tension wires down

Helpless people on a subway train
Scream bug-eyed as he looks in on them

He picks up a bus and he throws it back down
As he wades through the buildings toward the center of town

Oh no, they say he's got to go
Go go Godzilla, yeah
Oh no, there goes Tokyo
Go go Godzilla, yeah

Rinji news o moshiagemasu!
Rinji news o moshiagemasu!
Godzilla ga Ginza hoomen e mukatte imasu!
Daishkyu hinan shite kudasai!
Daishkyu hinan shite kudasai!

Oh no, they say he's got to go
Go go Godzilla, yeah
Oh no, there goes Tokyo
Go go Godzilla, yeah

History shows again and again
How nature points up the folly of men
Godzilla!

[Mulboyne]

Definitely seems that Roger Waters has a few Japan issues.

[Captain Japan]

I guess we are overlooking the obvious...
Gwen Stefani "Harajuku Girls"
Were mono - there's me, there's you (hoko-ten)
In a pedestrian paradise
Where the catwalk got its claws (meow)
A subculture in a kaleidoscope of fashion
Prowl the streets of Harajuku (irasshaimase)
Super lovers, tell me where you got yours
(at the super lovers store)
Yoji Yamamoto, I'm hanging with the locals
Where the catwalk got its claws, all you fashion know-it-alls
With your underground malls in the world of Harajuku
Putting on a show, when you dress up in your clothes
Wild hair color and cell phones
Your accessories are dead on

Harajuku Girls you got the wicked style
I like the way that you are, I am your biggest fan
Harajuku Girls you got the wicked style
I like the way that you are, I am your biggest fan

Harajuku girls, I'm looking at you girls
You're so original girls
You got the look that makes you stand out
Harajuku Girls, I'm looking at you girls
You mix and match it girls
You dress so fly and just parade around (arigato)

I'm fascinated by the Japanese fashion scene
Just an American girl, in the Tokyo streets
My boyfriend bought me a Hysteric Glamour shirt
They're hard to find in the states, got me feeling couture
What's that you got on? Is it Comme des Garcons?
Vivienne Westwood can't go wrong, mixed up with second hand clothes
(Let's not forget about John Galliano) (no)
Flipped the landscape when Nigo made A Bathing Ape
I got expensive taste (oh, well) guess I better save up (cho takai)

Harajuku Girls you got the wicked style
I like the way that you are, I am your biggest fan

Work it, express it, live it, command your style
Create it, design it
Now let me see you work it
Create it, design it
Now let me see you work it

You bring style and color all around the world. (You Harajuku Girls)
You bring style and color all around the world. (You Harajuku Girls)

You're looking so distinctive like D.N.A., like nothing I've ever seen in the U.S.A.
Your underground culture, visual grammar
The language of your clothing is something to encounter
A Ping-Pong match between eastern and western
Did you see your inspiration in my latest collection?
Just wait 'til you get your little hands on L.A.M.B.,
'Cause it's (super kawaii), that means (super cute in Japanese)
The streets of Harajuku are your catwalk (bishoujo you're so vogue)
That's what you drop

Cho saikou - Harajuku Girls
And that's what you drop, that's what you drop
Cho saikou - Harajuku Girls
And that's what you drop, that's what you drop
(I don't think you understand I'm your biggest fan)
(Gwen Stefani - you like me?)

[AssKissinger]

Ziggy Stardust
David Bowie
Changes Bowie

Ziggy played guitar, jammin' good with Weird and Gilly,
The spiders from Mars, he played it left hand
But made it too far
Became the special man, then we were Ziggy's band

Ziggy really sang, screwed up eyes and screwed down hairdo
Like some cat from Japan, he could lick 'em by smiling
He could leave 'em to hang
Came on so loaded man, well hung and snow white tan

[Mulboyne]

Toyota to Honda...

"Little Honda" by The Beach Boys (1964)
I'm gonna wake you up early
Cause I'm gonna take a ride with you
We're going down to the Honda shop
I'll tell you what we're gonna do
Put on a ragged sweatshirt
I'll take you anywhere you want me to

First gear (Honda Honda) it's alright (faster faster)
Second gear (little Honda Honda) I lean right (faster faster)
Third gear (Honda Honda) hang on tight (faster faster)
Faster it's alright

It's not a big motorcycle
Just a groovy little motorbike
It's more fun that a barrel of monkeys
That two wheel bike
We'll ride on out of the town
To any place I know you like

First gear (Honda Honda) it's alright (faster faster)
Second gear (little Honda Honda) I lean right (faster faster)
Third gear (Honda Honda) hang on tight (faster faster)
Faster it's alright

It climbs the hills like a matchless
Cause my Honda's built really light
When I go into the turns
Lean [Tilt] with me and hang on tight
I better turn on the lights
So we can ride my Honda tonight

First gear (Honda Honda) it's alright (faster faster)
Second gear (little Honda Honda) I lean right (faster faster)
Third gear (Honda Honda) hang on tight (faster faster)
Faster it's alright

First gear (Honda Honda) it's alright (faster faster)
Second gear (little Honda Honda) I lean right (faster faster)
Third gear (Honda Honda) hang on tight (faster faster)
Faster it's alright

[Captain Japan]

I just read the lyrics for Gwen's Harajuku song all the way through. That might just kick this thread into Beyond Fucked. Oh, if you click the link there's a Louis Vuitton ad at the top of the page.

[AssKissinger]

Chuck Berry

Too Much Monkey Business

Runnin' to-and-fro - hard workin' at the mill.
Never fail in the mail - yeah, come a rotten bill!
Too much monkey business. Too much monkey business.
Too much monkey business for me to be involved in!

Salesman talkin' to me - tryin' to run me up a creek.
Says you can buy now, gone try - you can pay me next week, ahh!
Too much monkey business. Too much monkey business.
Too much monkey business for me to be involved in!

Blond have good looks - tryin' to get me hooked.
Want me to marry - get a home - settle down - write a book!
Too much monkey business. Too much monkey business.
Too much monkey business for me to be involved in!

Same thing every day - gettin' up, goin' to school.
No need for me to complain - my objection's overruled, ahh!
Too much monkey business. Too much monkey business.
Too much monkey business for me to be involved in!

Take home - something wrong - dime gone - will hold
Order suit - hoppered up for telling me a tale - ahh!
Too much monkey business. Too much monkey business.
Too much monkey business for me to be involved in!

Been to Yokohama - been fightin' in the war.
Army bunk - Army chow - Army clothes - Army car, aah!
Too much monkey business. Too much monkey business.
Too much monkey business for me to be involved in!

Workin' in the fillin' station - too many tasks.
Wipe the windows - check the tires - check the oil - dollar gas!
Too much monkey business. Too much monkey business.
Don't want your botheration, get away, leave me!

TOO MUCH MONKEY BUSINESS FOR ME!!

[Mulboyne]

I think this thread already overlaps with newbie so I thought I'd overlap with "Random Gaijin" too

Aneka

"Japanese Boy" by Aneka (1981)
He said that he loved me, never would go
Now I find I'm sitting here on my own
Was it something I said or done
That made him pack his bags up and run
Could it be another he's found
It's breaking up a happy home

Mister can you tell me where my love has gone
He's a japanese boy
I woke up one morning and my love was gone
Oh my japanese boy
Ohh I miss my japanese boy

People ask about him every day
Don't know what to tell them what can I say
If only he would write me or call
A word of explaination that's all
It would stop me climbing the wall
It's breaking up a happy home

Mister can you tell me where my love has gone
He's a japanese boy
I woke up one morning and my love was gone
Oh my japanese boy
Ohh I miss my japanese boy

Was it something I said or done
That made him pack his bags up and run
Could it be another he's found
He's breaking up a happy home

Mister can you tell me where my love has gone
He's a japanese boy
I woke up one morning and my love was gone
Oh my japanese boy

Mister can you tell me where my love has gone
He's a japanese boy
I woke up one morning and my love was gone
Oh my japanese boy

[AssKissinger]

RAMONES LYRICS

"You Didn't Mean Anything To Me"

Skies were cloudy everyday
Nothing wanted to grow
We had our last chance
I think I told you so
Every dinner was crummy
Nothing was on T.V.
I was ready to pack it up
Our heads were so achey

You didn't mean anything to me
You didn't mean anything to me

We got to get away
Another lawn to mow
We had our last chance
I think I told you so
Ever dinner was crummy
Even the ones for free
I was ready to pack it up
Forget the agony

You didn't mean anything to me
Everybody was cranky
Even the maids were mean
We ran into a miracle
There was beer in the soda machine
Every dinner was crummy
Even the ones for free
I was ready to pack it up
Forget the agony

You didn't mean anything to me

[Mulboyne]

We ran into a miracle
There was beer in the soda machine

Superb

[AssKissinger]

There was beer in the soda machine

Seriously, that is the fucking coolest thing! When you get pissed at Japan that's a good thing to remember.

[AssKissinger]

Pete Seeger

Genbaku O Yurusumagi (Never Again The A Bomb)

Can't find the lyrics

This thread made me stay up too late

[Mulboyne]

I was planning on bed an hour ago

"Rising in the East" by Wang Chung (1982)
Simple scenes that I've never seen
A hole in my living, a kind of in-between
A geisha girl, a hard won world
A wall that divides us from an Eastern spell

So we're rising in the East

I've seen America, America
Where they're so tired of living, they don't walk alone
And my Europeans, just do what they're told to do
That means me and you, me and you

So we're rising in the East
That's why we're rising in the East

[Mulboyne]

"Going Back to Okinawa" by Ry Cooder (1987)
Goin' back down to Okinawa
Sorry, baby, but I can't take you
You better stay at home in California
There's nothing over there that you can do

Goin' back down to Okinawa
Ain't gonna do me like you've done before
They treat me like a king down in Okinawa
And I may never come back no more

It's just an island floating in the sun
Everybody is having so much fun
Pretty mamas laying in the sand
Sure to know how to treat your man

Okinawian baby, won't you come by me ?
Sun going down in the China Sea
Making love on the beach all night
Okinawa moon is shining so bright

Folks in Okinawa sure have fun
They get together when the working day is done
Drinking cheap wine. and making romance
While some old man's doing the Okina dance

Back in the days of World War II
Fought against the Japanese like me and you
Everybody's worried about World War III
Okinawa's just the place where I'm gonna be

Going back to Okinawa
Sorry, but I can't take you
Never coming back no more, baby

[Andocrates]

OK That's enough.

[Charles]

Digital Watch
by The Plastics (1980)

New fashion Paris one
New Wave London two
Hello New York three
Cheap Hong Kong four
Spaghetti Italiano five

World time
I don't need no time
World time
No no no no time
World time
destroy your time

Horrorshow Moscow six
Guten tag Berlin seven
Aloha Hawaii eight
Soul Swiss nine
Plastic Tokyo ten

World time
I don't need no time
World time
No no no no time
World time
Forget your time


Copy
by The Plastics (1980)

Copy copy subete wa copy now!
Copy copy machijuu copy
Copy copy zenin copy
Copy copy Tokyo copy town

Atchi mo kotchi mo Copy Town let's go!
Originality nai nai
Copy people C O P Y
Copy this and copy that

Copy copy kaisha de copy, yeah!
Copy copy ikki ni copy
Copy copy iwayuru copy
Copy copy Tokyo copy copy copy town

Atchi mo kotchi mo Copy Town let's go!
Originality nai nai
Copy people C O P Y
Copy this and copy that

Copy copy operate a copy machine
Copy copy sasuga wa copy
Copy copy kagayake copy
Copy copy copy Tokyo copy copy copy town.

Atchi mo kotchi mo Copy Town let's go!
Originality nai nai
Copy people C O P Y
Copy this and copy that

Copy copy copy copy...

[Red Floyd]

About Roger Waters stuff with Jaoan: Roger wasn't so much anit-Joan, he was more just a really political, anti-big business kinda guy. When Waters recorded the songs The Post War Dream and Not Now John for his last album with Pink Floyd, The Final Cut, Japan was still in the bubble. What Waters was referring to when he was talking about Nips and ships was during the Flakan Island wars, the British used ships built by the Japanese, rather than the British, which put a lot of people out of a job.

[AssKissinger]

Some people say Pere Ubu started new wave with 30 Seconds Over Tokyo

The first two singles are tinged with the personality of Laughner, the surreal soul of the group. The aseptic ballad 30 Seconds Over Tokyo, accompanied by the Pink Floydesque guitar of Laughner and by the first disturbo/ masturbo bristlings of the young Ravenstine, and the alien soundtrack Final Solution (with its celebrated lines of generational masochism "don't need a cure/ need a final solution") constitute a mini-saga of the holocaust, plunged as they are in a tragic atmosphere of nightmare and desolation, heightened by the first improvisatory sound effects. In the first of these tracks the android gait, underlined by a chaos of "Barrettesque" radio signals, the martial cadence and the abulic riff in the bass, plunge into a cacophonous maelstrom, with much simulation of fighter-bombers, and an "atomic" finale.

[AssKissinger]

Beastie Boys Lyrics

The Brouhaha Lyrics



Now what the blood clot I rap a lot
What you gonna do when the beat goes drop?
Whatcha talkin' 'bout Willis? Who the illest?
You know my name's Adam stop callin' me Phyllis
Ya hear some fuss, you're like what's the clamor?
It's just me naked on the cover of Glamour
A phenomenon pandemonium
The club is blowing up like plutonium
What's all the fanfare what's the to do
We're known to bring the hullabaloo
On stage or at the spa
Guaranteed we bring the brouhaha

'Cause it's a brouhaha
'Cause it's a brouhaha

There's a commotion that's goin' down
I talk more shit then drown the clown
I'm like that freak from Cirque de Soleil
With my leg behind my head and a rhyme to say
Ten nine eight seven six five four
Get upon the mic and I'm a even the score
one two three, three to two one
don't carry a knife and I don't carry a gun
Yo we be making mountains out of Cool Whip
Pass me the mint for the julep
Tell me everybody where is the love
Hey yo what's the motherfuckin' hubbub

'Cause it's a brouhaha
'Cause it's a brouhaha

Communicator check one two one two
This is Bones McCoy on a line to Sulu
Set the bullshit to warp factor one
Check your tri-corder set your phaser to stun
Oh mai oui you can catch me
At Jean Vie with a pastry
C'est ci c'est la oh n'est pas
Qu'est-ce-que c'est le brouhahaha
Ha haha haha!
Just back from Japan and ooh I'm laggin'
Goin' rao rao with the dungeon dragon
You can dance if you want to leave your friends behind
But if they don't dance and then they won't dance they can kiss my fuckin' ass
'Cause it's a brouhaha
'Cause it's a brouhaha

[Taro Toporific]

My internal theme music for commuting to work is PURE Tom Waits. Picture in your mind ....

It's midnight in the Rock-Island Line switching yard on the Chicago South Side.
Steel-on-steel clacks out the back-beat as dioxin vapor rises off the the Sagg Canal off in the distance.
Marching towards the steaming sag piles and smoking their reefers, the seven dwarves who all look like Tom Waits start chanting in the minor key:
"Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, it's off to work we go!"

Heigh-Ho! (The Dwarfs' Marching Song) - Tom Waits Listen here.



Also...

I got the sizzle, but not the steak / I got the boat, but not the lake / I got the sheets, but not the bed / I got the jam, but not the bread / But, hey I'm big in Japan, I'm big in Japan/ I'm big in Japan, I'm big in Japan
--"BIG in JAPAN", Tom Waits, in 'Mule Variations' CD (1999)