This signed sheet music is for Turning Japanese by The Vapors, autographed by band members David Fenton, Edward Bazalgette, Steve Smith, and Howard Smith. Released in 1980 on their debut album New Clear Days, Turning Japanese became The Vapors’ biggest hit and a defining track of the new wave era. With its quirky guitar riffs, catchy chorus, and tongue-in-cheek lyrics, the song quickly climbed the charts, reaching number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and breaking into the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Its offbeat charm and playful energy made it an international success, while its enigmatic lyrics sparked debates and interpretations that continue to this day. Decades later, Turning Japanese remains a staple of 1980s pop culture, often featured in films, television, and nostalgic playlists. The Vapors, formed in Guildford, England, in 1978, emerged as part of the post-punk and new wave explosion. Fronted by David Fenton on vocals and guitar, with Edward Bazalgette on lead guitar, Steve Smith on bass, and Howard Smith on drums, the band combined punk energy with pop sensibility. Although their time in the spotlight was relatively brief, their music—particularly Turning Japanese—has endured as a quintessential example of British new wave. After disbanding in the early 1980s, members pursued other careers, but The Vapors later reunited to perform and record for dedicated fans of their unique sound. Owning this signed sheet music for Turning Japanese is more than a collectible—it’s a piece of new wave history tied to one of the most distinctive and enduring hits of the 1980s. For fans of The Vapors, admirers of quirky new wave classics, and collectors of music memorabilia, this artifact captures the energy, humor, and charm of a track that continues to resonate across generations.

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