"Turning Japanese" by The Vapors is a love song that uses the phrase "turning Japanese" as a metaphor for the singer's overwhelming obsession with his romantic interest. The lyrics detail the narrator's fixation on a photograph of his love, his desire to be constantly surrounded by her, and his longing for her presence. This intense feeling of infatuation leads him to feel alienated from the world around him, describing himself as a "psyched Lone Ranger" and expressing a sense of isolation. The repeated phrase "Turning Japanese" is a playful and ironic expression of his all-consuming love, suggesting that he's becoming completely absorbed by his emotions.

on Genius