Pictures From Japan
Reeperbahn Lyrics
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Behind the car from his island
Put up a smile - do a pose
It′s like this week's cover of the Vogue
Little man, you′re always smiling
Since you've stopped thinking of Hiroshima
You're making out with your camera
Have you ever seen pictures from Japan?
Take me with you behind the curtains
Show me the secret of your people
Let me know where do you hide them
I′ve never seen pictures from Japan
Have you ever seen pictures from Japan?
The lyrics to Reeperbahn's song Pictures From Japan convey a sense of fascination and intrigue towards the culture and people of Japan. The reference to the "Yellow man" and his instruction to the singer to pose behind his car suggests an encounter with a Japanese photographer or tourist who is capturing images of the singer. The singer is instructed to smile and pose, as if they are on the cover of Vogue magazine. The next stanza introduces a "little man" who is always smiling, despite the weight of the historical tragedy of Hiroshima. This man is focused on the art of photography, using it to create sexual pleasure in the dark room. The song ends with a plea to be shown the secrets of Japanese culture, to be allowed to see the pictures that have not been made public. The repeated question, "Have you ever seen pictures from Japan?" highlights the singer's yearning to see beyond the surface-level images that are typically shown in Western media.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the Western gaze towards Japanese culture, and the desire to see the "real" Japan beyond the curated images that are commonly circulated. The lyrics suggest that there is a desire to go beyond the stereotypes and assumptions that are often made about Japan and its people.
Line by Line Meaning
Yellow man told me where to stand
A person from Japan directed me to the right place.
Behind the car from his island
I was instructed to stand behind a car that was from Japan.
Put up a smile - do a pose
I was told to smile and pose for a picture.
It′s like this week's cover of the Vogue
The photo is supposed to look like it belongs on the cover of a trendy magazine.
Little man, you′re always smiling
There is a small person who is smiling all the time.
Since you've stopped thinking of Hiroshima
The person is no longer weighed down by the tragedy of the Hiroshima bombing.
You're making out with your camera
The person is taking many pictures with their camera.
Get your orgasm in the dark room
The person experiences satisfaction when they develop their photos in a dark room.
Have you ever seen pictures from Japan?
Asking if the listener has ever seen photos taken in Japan.
Take me with you behind the curtains
Asking to be shown behind-the-scenes in Japan.
Show me the secret of your people
Asking to see unique aspects of Japan and its culture.
Let me know where do you hide them
Asking where these unique pictures of Japan are kept.
I′ve never seen pictures from Japan
Confirming that the singer has never seen pictures taken in Japan.
Writer(s): Dan Sundquist, Olle Ljungström
Contributed by Mia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.