THE SHINE OF YOUR JAPAN

I’m leaving on Friday for two weeks in Japan, and the next couple of days will be dizzy with last-minute preparation, so I’ll see you again on August 21, jet lag willing...

Here are some Japan lyrics off the top of my head. Ganbatte!

I'd rather be in Tokyo,
I'd rather listen to Thin Lizzy-oh,
And watch the Sunday gang in Harajuku,
There’s something wrong with me— I’m a cuckoo...
-I’m a Cuckoo, Belle and Sebastian

Oh no, there goes Tokyo—
Go go Godzilla!
-Godzilla, Blue Oyster Cult

"This is a special news report.
Godzilla has been sighted in Tokyo Bay.
The attack on it by the Self-Defense Force has been useless.
He is heading towards the city. AAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!!"
-Superman, R.E.M. (Japanese-language opening)

My woman from Tokyo
She makes me see,
My woman from Tokyo
She's so good to me.
-Woman from Tokyo, Deep Purple

Turning Japanese,
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so...
-Turning Japanese, The Vapors

I will wait here for my man tonight, it's easy when you’re big in Japan.
When you’re 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...
-Big in Japan, Alphaville

She rode to Japan,
And we entered a town...
-My Wild Love, The Doors

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...
-Discovering Japan, Graham Parker and the Rumour

Everywhere in the world is good,
But Osaka is the best town, Osaka is the best town...
-My Favorite Town Osaka, Shonen Knife