At the time, RCA seemed to expect a new album from them and the annoyance of the band itself somewhat shows in this track. The song hints at the story line of a man going on a trip to Japan and having an affair with another woman there. Whether it was casual sex or a full on relationship, it seems to backfire when he’s realizing he has become the douche bag that he always stereotyped cheating people to be.
As RCA wanted another album from them, they produced it and it failed to receive the wanted popularity, at the time. It has since brought some of their more popular tracks such as “Call It Fate, Call It Karma” and “One Way Trigger”.
The band left RCA soon after the release of the album and proceeded to sign with other labels. The band released an EP 3 years later, with a different label. The band released their hit album “The New Abnormal” in 2021 with Cult Records and RCA as the band signed with them again.
Welcome To Japan
The Strokes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It will rise
If we don't take our time
It's not wise
Putting posters up
For your band
(Hey, we're playing a gig tonight if you wanna come by)
Now I'll tear them down
I didn't wanna notice
Didn't know the gun was loaded
Didn't really know this
What kind of asshole drives a Lotus?
Come here and go get with me
I wanna see you Wednesday
Come on, come on, come over
Take it off your shoulder
Come on and pull me over
We gotta get to work now
Sliding it off your shoulder
As we're falling over
Oh, welcome to Japan
Scuba-dancing, touchdown
I didn't wanna notice
Didn't know the gun was loaded
Didn't really know this
What kind of asshole drives a Lotus?
I didn't want to bore you
Didn't wanna pick up your shit for ya
I've been ready to do this
I'll be there
Come here and go get with me
I wanna see you Wednesday
Come on, come on, come over
Take it off your shoulder
Come on and pull me over (I don't mind)
We gotta get to work now
Sliding it off your shoulder (I don't mind)
As we're fallin' over
You did it alone, you did it for fun
You did it for everyone who's on the run
You're not just a friend, you'll be born again
We'll be in this race until the very end
He lives on the phone, he cheats on his clone
You'll never believe me 'til you're on your own
Comes in once a month and he never leaves
He said he is broken, yet he lives free
Didn't wanna floor ya
I didn't wanna be there for ya
I didn't wanna warn ya
I'll be there
The lyrics to The Strokes's song "Welcome To Japan" seem to be a mix of random phrases and thoughts. The opening lines talk about the importance of time and focusing on the big picture in life. The singer seems to be in a state of confusion and questioning the things happening around him. He then talks about putting up posters for his band and tearing them down with his hands. The middle section of the song is a conversation with someone, probably a lover, where he asks them to come over and take off their shoulder. The song finishes with a verse about someone who comes in once a month and never leaves, and a promise that the singer will always be there.
The song seems to be about living in the moment and enjoying life while it lasts. The singer seems to be repeating the phrase "I didn't want to notice, I didn't know the gun was loaded" several times throughout the song. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for not being aware of the consequences of one's actions. The song talks about scuba-dancing and touchdown, which are both activities that require complete immersion and being present in the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
If we don't watch the sun
If we don't pay attention to what is happening around us
It will rise
Things will keep happening even if we ignore them
If we don't take our time
If we rush through things
It's not wise
It's not a good idea
Putting posters up
Advertising your band
For your band (Hey, we're playing, come by)
Trying to attract people to your performance
Now I'll tear them down
But then realizing it's better to take them down
With my hand
Doing it yourself
I didn't want to notice
Not wanting to be aware of something
Didn't know the gun was loaded
Not being aware of the danger or consequences of a situation
What kind of asshole drives a Lotus?
Wondering why someone would flaunt their wealth
Come here and get with me
Spending time with someone
I wanna see you Wednesday
Making plans to see each other at a certain time
Take it off your shoulder
Relax and let go of your troubles
Come on and pull me over
Invite me closer
We gotta get to work now
We need to focus on what's important
Sliding it off your shoulder
Letting go of worries and tensions
As we're falling over
Enjoying the moment even as we stumble
Oh, welcome to Japan!
An enthusiastic greeting to someone arriving in Japan
Scuba-dancing!
Having fun in a unique and exciting way
Touchdown!
Successfully arriving or completing a task
You did it alone
Succeeding through your own effort
You did it for fun
Doing something simply because you enjoy it
You did it for everyone who's on the run
Trying to help those who are struggling or in need of help
You're not just a friend
Being more than just a casual acquaintance
You'll be born again
Creating a new beginning for yourself
We'll be in this race until the very end
Going through life's journey together
He lives on the phone
Spending a lot of time talking on the phone
He cheats on his clone
Taking advantage of situations or people to get ahead
You'll never believe me 'til you're on your own
Not realizing the truth until you experience something firsthand
Comes in once a month
Appearing only occasionally
And he never leaves
Staying in one place all the time
He said he is broken
Claiming to be in a bad state of mind or body
Yet he lives free
Remaining independent despite life's difficulties
Didn't wanna floor ya
Not wanting to bring someone down emotionally
I didn't wanna be there for ya
Not being the emotional support someone needs in a particular moment
Didn't wanna warn ya
Avoiding a difficult conversation or warning someone about potential danger
I'll be there
Offering to support and help in the future
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Fabrizio Moretti, Julian Casablancas, Nick Valensi, Nikolai Fraiture, Albert Jr. Hammond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind