Japanese Boy
Encyclopedia
"Japanese Boy" is a UK No.1 hit single by Scottish singer Aneka
, released in 1981. The song became her biggest hit and provided the singer with a memorable Japanese image, which she found difficult to discard
.
and produced by Neil Ross, the song was recorded by Scottish folk singer Mary Sandeman. Realising that the name didn't fit the song, they decided to come up with a name to put to the single. Leafing through the telephone directory, they came upon the name of Aneka. This was then released as a single and Sandeman came up with a Japanese image under which to perform the song. To their surprise, the song became a major hit when it eventually reached No.1 in August 1981. The song went on to become a hit all over Europe and beyond, although according to Sandeman, it failed to chart in Japan itself because "they thought it sounded too Chinese."
The success of the single proved to be a problem however, as Sandeman was left with a dilemma of what to do as a follow-up, now that her image was so firmly associated with one song. She modified her image and kept the Aneka name, but future single releases failed to chart highly in the UK, although she did score two follow-up hits in many countries in Europe.
The song was released on 7" and as an extended 12" version and featured on Aneka's debut - and only - album, released later in 1981. "Japanese Boy" sold almost half a million copies in the UK, making it one of the best-selling singles of 1981
, and the second-best seller by a solo female artist (behind Kim Wilde
's "Kids in America
").
Sandeman featured in a 2006 Channel 4
documentary titled 'Bring Back The One Hit Wonders'. Justin Lee Collins
attempted to organise a one-off performance of as many 'one hit wonders' as possible but despite getting in touch with Sandeman, she declined to take part as she didn't want to travel to London from her home in Scotland and had 'no desire' to perform the hit that made her place in pop history. She revealed though that "Japanese Boy" sold 5 million copies around the world.
In 2002, "Japanese Boy" had a revival when it was featured in the videogame Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
on Flash FM, bringing it to a new generation of listeners.
The melody of "Japanese Boy" has a distinct resemblance to the melody of "Frozen Jap", a song released by Paul McCartney on the album McCartney II
one year earlier.
Aneka
Aneka is a Scottish singer.In 1981 she hit number one in the UK Singles Chart with her song, "Japanese Boy". She was well known for the Oriental image she adopted for the song...
, released in 1981. The song became her biggest hit and provided the singer with a memorable Japanese image, which she found difficult to discard
Typecasting (acting)
In TV, film, and theatre, typecasting is the process by which a particular actor becomes strongly identified with a specific character; one or more particular roles; or, characters having the same traits or coming from the same social or ethnic groups...
.
Background
Written by Bob HeatlieBob Heatlie
Bob Heatlie is a Scottish songwriter and produced and has worked Music industry creating songs for the chats and also television.-Background:...
and produced by Neil Ross, the song was recorded by Scottish folk singer Mary Sandeman. Realising that the name didn't fit the song, they decided to come up with a name to put to the single. Leafing through the telephone directory, they came upon the name of Aneka. This was then released as a single and Sandeman came up with a Japanese image under which to perform the song. To their surprise, the song became a major hit when it eventually reached No.1 in August 1981. The song went on to become a hit all over Europe and beyond, although according to Sandeman, it failed to chart in Japan itself because "they thought it sounded too Chinese."
The success of the single proved to be a problem however, as Sandeman was left with a dilemma of what to do as a follow-up, now that her image was so firmly associated with one song. She modified her image and kept the Aneka name, but future single releases failed to chart highly in the UK, although she did score two follow-up hits in many countries in Europe.
The song was released on 7" and as an extended 12" version and featured on Aneka's debut - and only - album, released later in 1981. "Japanese Boy" sold almost half a million copies in the UK, making it one of the best-selling singles of 1981
1981 in British music
This is a summary of 1981 in music in the United Kingdom, including the official charts from that year.-Events:*February 9 - Phil Collins releases his first solo album...
, and the second-best seller by a solo female artist (behind Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde is an English pop singer, author and television presenter who burst onto the music scene in 1981 with the number 2 UK Singles Chart new wave classic "Kids in America". In 1987 she had a major hit in the United States when her version of The Supremes' classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On"...
's "Kids in America
Kids in America (song)
"Kids in America" is a New Wave song by British singer Kim Wilde, released in the United Kingdom as her debut single in January 1981, and in the US in 1982. It has famously been covered by many artists from different genres.-Background:...
").
Sandeman featured in a 2006 Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
documentary titled 'Bring Back The One Hit Wonders'. Justin Lee Collins
Justin Lee Collins
Justin Lee Collins, commonly known as JLC, is an award-winning English comedian and television presenter.A Bristolian, he's well known for his strong West Country accent, shaggy appearance and colourful shirts....
attempted to organise a one-off performance of as many 'one hit wonders' as possible but despite getting in touch with Sandeman, she declined to take part as she didn't want to travel to London from her home in Scotland and had 'no desire' to perform the hit that made her place in pop history. She revealed though that "Japanese Boy" sold 5 million copies around the world.
In 2002, "Japanese Boy" had a revival when it was featured in the videogame Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is a 2002 open world action computer and video game developed by British games developer Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the second 3D game in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise and sixth original title overall...
on Flash FM, bringing it to a new generation of listeners.
The melody of "Japanese Boy" has a distinct resemblance to the melody of "Frozen Jap", a song released by Paul McCartney on the album McCartney II
McCartney II
McCartney II is the third album by Paul McCartney, and the first since the formation of Wings in 1971. It was released in 1980, a year before the band's dissolution and while their future lay in limbo...
one year earlier.
Chart positions
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK | 1 |
| Ireland | 1 |
| Sweden | 1 |
| Switzerland | 1 |
| European | 1 |
| Germany | 3 |
| Norway | 4 |
| Austria | 4 |
| Netherlands | 7 |
| Canada | 42 |
| Australia | 57 |
| US (Dance charts) | 15 |
Cover versions
- The Swedish punk rockPunk rockPunk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
group Psychotic YouthPsychotic YouthPsychotic Youth was a Swedish punk rock band formed by singer, songwriter and guitarist Jörgen Westman in 1985 in Kramfors under the name Ratfink-A-Boo Boo's. The other original members besides Westman, were Kent Sjöholm on drums, Anders Nordstrand on bass, and Danish-Swede Nils Lund-Larsen on guitar...
made a cover for their 1994 EP Pop and album Bamboozle! - TaiwaneseTaiwanese peopleTaiwanese people may refer to individuals who either claim or are imputed cultural identity focused on the island of Taiwan and/or Taiwan Area which have been governed by the Republic of China since 1945...
girl groupGirl groupA girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
S.H.ES.H.ES.H.E is a Taiwanese girl group whose members are Selina Jen, Hebe Tien, and Ella Chen. The name of the group is an alphabetism derived from the first letter of each member's name. Since releasing their first album Girls Dorm , S.H.E has recorded 12 albums with sales totalling over 15 million, and...
recorded their own version of the song and it appears in their 2004 album, EncoreEncore (S.H.E album)Encore is the sixth studio album by Taiwanese Mandopop girl group S.H.E. It was released on 12 November 2004 by HIM International Music. This is the first album that S.H.E released in the autumn, on account of Selina's graduation from university...
. - In 2007, "Japanese Boy" was covered by Japanese EurodanceEurodanceEurodance is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s or early 1990s primarily in Europe. It combines many elements from House, Techno, Hi-NRG and especially Italo-Disco...
group ShanadooShanadooShanadoo is a Japanese Eurodance group formerly produced in Germany and now produced in Japan. The majority of their recorded works have been Japanese covers of a German dance act, E-Rotic....
. - In 2008, the song was covered by SwedishSwedish languageSwedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along its coast and on the Åland islands. It is largely mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish...
bubblegumBubblegum DanceBubblegum dance is a subgenre of Eurodance music. The genre is characterized by cute lyrics and happy sounds. Bubblegum dance usually has a more pop sound than other Eurodance. The lyrics and style are often light-hearted and are not intended to be taken seriously. They are often amusing and...
group, Smile.dkSmile.dkSmile.dk is a Swedish bubblegum dance group with Veronica Almqvist and Cecilia Reiskog as the current members. The band is well-known around the world partly due to their many songs in Dance Dance Revolution, including "Butterfly", "Golden Sky", "Boys", "Mr...
, on their album, Party Around the WorldParty Around The WorldParty Around the World is the fifth album from Swedish bubblegum pop group Smile.dk. It was released in 2008. It contains twelve new tracks and a bonus remix of "Heal My Broken Heart", a song from their album Future Girls...
. - In 2009, the song was covered by Swedish rock band Sahara HotnightsSahara HotnightsSahara Hotnights is a rock band from Robertsfors, Sweden. Their style incorporates elements of garage rock, power pop and punk. While in Australia, Josephine Forsman bet on a horse named Sahara Hotnights and used the name for the band.-History:...
on their album Sparks.