Turning Japanese

 Week Forty-seven: Turning Japanese


I’m turning Japanese

I think I’m turning Japanese

I really think so


—The Vapors, Turning Japanese, from the album Turning Japanese



Whenever I hear this song, which isn’t nearly often enough, I think of Victory Villa Elementary School because that was where I began and ended my dual career in education and rock & roll. Let me explain.


As I would do many more times as a middle school instructor, at VVE I organized and directed a talent show. Showcasing the many young folks whose talents otherwise would go unrecognized, the show featured singers, dancers, and comedy acts (remember Carol Burnett as Tim Conway’s secretary? “Mrs. A-wiggins, please a-come in’year!”)


One act featured the son of a high school chum of mine. Although I didn’t know Jimbo as well as I might have liked, we certainly remembered each other when The Jaime Miller Band came to audition. Unlike the rest of his band, first grader Jaime did not play for the band Unity. As you might imagine, the son of a semi-professional musician held his own behind a drum kit. In fact, with Jaime keeping time, they were jaw-dropping.


I do not remember what they played for their audition, but it was a relief to know we had this amazing level of talent to perform on the night of the show. What I do remember quite well was Jimbo asking me what song I wanted to sing with the band. With his permission to think about it, I eventually came up with two songs: Move It On Over, the Hank Williams classic made popular at the time by George Thorogood and the Destroyers; or Turning Japanese by the Vapors. He invited me to a band rehearsal where I watched them practice. 


Then it came my turn. With my handheld cheat sheet and absolutely no musical talent or experience, I was patiently coached just well enough to plow through Move It On Over. With glacial speed, I began to understand how the instruments and the voice part should work together. One song down, we moved on to Turning Japanese. Again, Jimbo and the band were patient as I slowly learned the song. When it came time to choose, Jimbo asked if we could do both, which as it turned out, was perfect for our show.


Three decades later I got the idea to return to Victory Villa Elementary on the very last day of my thirty year career in public education. I had contacted the principal and asked her permission. Sure enough as I left Overlea High School for the last time as principal, I returned to the school where my career began. Everything seemed the same as I entered the main office. I explained why I was there, much to the surprise of the secretary.


My classroom was the last one after a very long hallway and just before the counselor’s office, the kitchen entrance, and the multipurpose auditorium/cafeteria. After a twenty minute opportunity to reminisce in my first classroom, I couldn’t resist the urge to take the short walk to the auditorium.


I think I’m turning Japanese. I really think so.



Turning Japanese [Official video] - The Vapors (HD/HQ)

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