On February 10, 2009 the Lonely Island's debut record "Incredibad" was released. It includes most of the SNL Digital Shorts as well as new songs featuring E-40, Julian Casablancas, Beck, Jack Black, and Norah Jones.
On their YouTube channel, The Lonely Island announced an upcoming album on October 28, 2010, which would be released in the spring of 2011. On December 18, 2010, the SNL Digital Short was the official music video of "I Just Had Sex" (featuring Akon), the first single off the album.
On January 29, 2011, the group debuted "The Creep" featuring Nicki Minaj and a cameo by filmmaker John Waters, on SNL and YouTube. On March 15, 2011, Direct Current Music reported that the album would be named Turtleneck & Chain and would be released on May 10, 2011. On April 1, 2011, The Lonely Island appeared as guests on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, where they premiered the lead track, "We're Back!", as well as the new album cover. On April 19, 2011, the group released "Motherlover" featuring Justin Timberlake as the fourth single from the album. This song was last featured on season 34 of SNL.
The group held a fundraiser to promote their new album on April 16, 2011. This event was at Amoeba Music in Berkeley, California. There were only 250 tickets available, and the only way to obtain a ticket was to preorder their album. They hosted a Q&A session and an autograph session. Shortly after, "Motherlover" was released on iTunes. On May 7, they released a new track, "Jack Sparrow", featuring Michael Bolton. Turtleneck & Chain was both Emmy and Grammy nominated (for Best Comedy Album).
On January 26, 2013, the group released a new single on iTunes and Google Music, "YOLO" featuring Adam Levine and Kendrick Lamar. They also released a music video on their YouTube channel which revealed a new album was coming in 2013. On May 4th they announced that their new album will be called The Wack Album, also releasing its cover art and confirming that it will include people they have worked with in the past such as Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga and some new collaborators like Billie Joe Armstrong and Adam Levine. They also stated that each week until the album comes out they will release a new song or video from the album on each Wednesday called "Wack Wednesdays." The album was released on June 11, 2013.
Japan
The Lonely Island Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't believe we're in Japan!
Look at all the lights!
The food!
The people!
Wow!
We're three cool white friends in Japan (Japan!)
So we wrote a song about the three of us in Japan
And our label has to pay for it
Here we are at our five star hotel
The one from Lost In Translation (In Japan!)
The views are amazing
And their champagne waiting
Because that's how we wrote it (Yummy!)
And now the label has to pay for the video (Yay!)
And pay for everything that we say (No matter what!)
For example I'll be getting a massage right now
And I'll be drinking some sake (So expensive!) (Who cares?)
Here we are at the most expensive sushi restaurant in Japan (mm!)
And now we're at Tokyo Disneyland
And now we're in Hawaii for one random shot that our label has to pay for!
Cause we're three cool white friends in Japan (In Asia!)
The fact that we're white isn't why we're friends
But we are white, and we're friends (In Japan)
At this point in the video we'll be super drunk (Weee!)
Standing near some kind of dragon
And then we'll buy some stinky used girls panties
Out of one of those pervert vending machines
Now we've seen sumo wrestling live
Unless we get dropped by our label
Cause we're three white douche-bags in Japan (That's us!)
It's all part of our master plan
To get some much needed R&R
At the expense of Universal Records
Wow look at all this Japanese money
It's called Yen
I heard it's worth more than American money
Let's dump it in the river!
Moshi Moshi
Guys it's the label
This video's really expensive and-
Bye!
Pokemon!
Dump it in the river!
Our rental car!
Dump it in the river!
This old guy!
Dump him in the river!
And now we're flying home first class!
The Lonely Island's song "Japan" is a satirical commentary on the extravagance and superficiality of musicians recording and filming music videos in foreign countries. The opening lyrics reflect on the excitement of experiencing a new country for the first time, but soon turn to highlight the absurdity of exploiting the culture for personal gain.
The song's chorus mockingly emphasizes the characters' whiteness, drawing attention to the cultural appropriation and privilege that allows them to indulge in sushi and sake, stay at expensive hotels, and visit tourist attractions. The lyrics also suggest that the record label is footing the bill for everything, regardless of whether it is necessary or not.
The song continues with the group indulging in various activities, including buying used panties from vending machines, seeing sumo wrestling, and finally, destroying their rented car, money, and even an old man in the river before heading back home first class. The American rap group's sense of entitlement and disregard for the culture they are exploring is evident throughout the lyrics, emphasizing the superficiality and excess often seen in the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoa!
Expressing excitement or surprise at the current situation.
I can't believe we're in Japan!
Surprised to actually be in Japan.
Look at all the lights!
Impressed by the number of lights.
The food!
Enthusiastic about the quality of the food.
The people!
Excited about the friendly people.
Wow!
Expressing excitement or disbelief.
We're three cool white friends in Japan (Japan!)
Acknowledging their race and friendship in Japan.
We've never been to Japan
Admitting they have no prior experience in Japan.
So we wrote a song about the three of us in Japan
Creating a song to commemorate their trip.
And our label has to pay for it
Acknowledging that the record label will pay for it.
Here we are at our five star hotel
Excited to be staying at a luxurious hotel.
The one from Lost In Translation (In Japan!)
Referencing a famous movie set in Japan.
The views are amazing
Impressed by the scenic view.
And their champagne waiting
Excited about the complementary champagne.
Because that's how we wrote it (Yummy!)
Admitting to creating the scene for the song.
And now the label has to pay for the video (Yay!)
Celebrating the record label's responsibility to pay for the video production.
And pay for everything that we say (No matter what!)
Acknowledging that everything they say is covered by the label.
For example I'll be getting a massage right now
Describing a luxury experience that they'll expense to the label.
And I'll be drinking some sake (So expensive!) (Who cares?)
Indicating that even though it's expensive, the quality is worth the price.
Here we are at the most expensive sushi restaurant in Japan (mm!)
Expressing enthusiasm about dining at an expensive place.
And now we're at Tokyo Disneyland
Excited about visiting Tokyo Disneyland.
And now we're in Hawaii for one random shot that our label has to pay for!
Going to Hawaii just to include a shot in the video.
Cause we're three cool white friends in Japan (In Asia!)
Emphasizing their race and friendship while in Asia.
The fact that we're white isn't why we're friends
Clarifying that even though they're white, it isn't the reason for their friendship.
But we are white, and we're friends (In Japan)
Stating that their friendship in Japan is a result of being white individuals.
At this point in the video we'll be super drunk (Weee!)
Describing the state they'll be in during this part of the video.
Standing near some kind of dragon
Describing the scene in the video.
And then we'll buy some stinky used girls panties
Including an inappropriate scene for comedic effect.
Out of one of those pervert vending machines
Describing a type of vending machine in Japan.
Now we've seen sumo wrestling live
Excited about seeing sumo wrestling in person.
Unless we get dropped by our label
Worried that the label will end their trip.
Cause we're three white douche-bags in Japan (That's us!)
Acknowledging that they can be considered insensitive while in Japan.
It's all part of our master plan
Joking that their trip is a part of a more significant scheme.
To get some much needed R&R
Expressing that their trip is a vacation.
At the expense of Universal Records
Stating that their trip is being funded by the record label.
Wow look at all this Japanese money
Impressed by the appearance of Yen.
It's called Yen
Explaining the currency's name.
I heard it's worth more than American money
Misunderstanding the exchange rate.
Let's dump it in the river!
Proposing a foolish plan to dispose of the yen.
Moshi Moshi
Greeting in Japanese.
Guys it's the label
Receiving a phone call from the record label.
This video's really expensive and-
Being informed of the cost of the video.
Bye!
Ending the conversation and hanging up.
Pokemon!
Shouting out a popular Japanese character/game.
Our rental car!
Listing items to be disposed of.
Dump it in the river!
Insisting to dispose of the rental car.
This old guy!
Referring to someone who they want to dispose of in the video.
Dump him in the river!
Insisting to dispose of the old guy.
And now we're flying home first class!
End of their trip and returning home in luxury.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AKIVA SCHAFFER, ANDREW D. SAMBERG, JORMA TACCONE, TYLER WILLIAMS, TYLER MATHEW CARL WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jaegerbomb269
I actually wish they'd make a music video of this song. Worth the price.
@spiddyman0079
i know... i cant believe they didnt make one
@arbitterm
The fact that there is no video is the punchline. Universal took one listen and said "Fine, you can have Michael Bolton. But this? No."
@Tanya96luv
Hahaha
@StanGames
wheres the video that the label payed for? ;D
@acatterz
They ran out of money before they could edit and release it.
@regaul4248
@Blue Bloops is there a reupload somewhere?
@KJ-je9pm
Such a shame this didnt have a music video. They literally wrote this with a music video in mind lol
@tffp_727
K J I think that’s the joke
@JohnJonesBilly
@@tffp_727 there used to be one