Al Jardine's opposition to Somewhere Near Japan

[Andrew G. Doe]

I can't believe there is an argument over this. John Phillips was a really good songwriter, and he was also a heavy drug user. Here he's using drug slang to color the story and give it depth in a wink-and-a-nod kind of way. The song is really clever, lyrically.

I'd agree with you, were it not for the fact that the overt drug references in the BB version are absent in the original recording of "Fairy Tale Girl" (which does, however, refer to flying in "inner space"). Now, I was told that Papa John's original version was some 20 verses long, so could be that they're in the verses he didn't record, but that the BB saw... however, to claim that as a fact would be spurious in the extreme, not to mention implying knowledge that I simply don't possess (granted, others here may do that now and then, but that's on their consciences). But, fact is, whoever penned those lyrics, the drug inferences are plain as a pikestaff.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

There is no such nickname for a heroin specifically called "Chinese Junk" other than it being a general reference to heroin made in a specific place. Like heroin from the UK called 'British Junk' or heroin from Canada 'Canadian Junk'.

Called Junk, yes. Called Smack, yes. There is a  variety called 'China White'. There are opiums called Chinese Tobacco, Chinese Molasses.

More info: http://thecyn.com/heroin-rehab/street-names/

But 'Chinese Junk', no specific street drug by that name. Certainly is a clever pun, drug reference. No positive drug references in the song in my opinion.

But if you google 'Chinese Junk', you'll just get a bunch of boat refernces.

[Lonely Summer]

There is no such nickname for a heroin specifically called "Chinese Junk" other than it being a general reference to heroin made in a specific place. Like heroin from the UK called 'British Junk' or heroin from Canada 'Canadian Junk'.

Called Junk, yes. Called Smack, yes. There is a  variety called 'China White'. There are opiums called Chinese Tobacco, Chinese Molasses.

More info: http://thecyn.com/heroin-rehab/street-names/

But 'Chinese Junk', no specific street drug by that name. Certainly is a clever pun, drug reference. No positive drug references in the song in my opinion.

But if you google 'Chinese Junk', you'll just get a bunch of boat refernces.

I'd not heard the phrase 'Chinese Junk' before, although I had heard about "some Indonesian junk that's goin' 'round"

[Andrew G. Doe]

There is no such nickname for a heroin specifically called "Chinese Junk" other than it being a general reference to heroin made in a specific place. Like heroin from the UK called 'British Junk' or heroin from Canada 'Canadian Junk'.

Called Junk, yes. Called Smack, yes. There is a  variety called 'China White'. There are opiums called Chinese Tobacco, Chinese Molasses.

More info: http://thecyn.com/heroin-rehab/street-names/

But 'Chinese Junk', no specific street drug by that name. Certainly is a clever pun, drug reference. No positive drug references in the song in my opinion.

But if you google 'Chinese Junk', you'll just get a bunch of boat refernces.

Which, oddly enough, is exactly what I said - "A junk is indeed an old Chinese boat. It's also a slang term for drugs in general, ergo Chinese junk can also refer to opium or heroin." So, you're upbraiding me for, uh, saying exactly what you're saying.  

Oh, also...

Didn't Mike write a lot of the lyrics? Which were certainly not drug related. I think it's a stretch to say it's a drug song despite the origins and background story.

So... now it's "Certainly is a clever pun, drug reference." In ORR World, black can be white !

[Jukka]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-M9Ymvgd0A

I'm living on a Chinese rocks, all my good things are in hock.

[Micha]

I think the very obvious references tend to escape the following people:

1 - those whose first language isn't English...
2 - those who don't understand (or claim not to... ) drug slang...
3 - those whose general knowledge doesn't extend to Chinese maritime history 101...
4 - those who plain don't want to understand because I made the original point re: drug references in the song. 

So good I can claim that point 1 applies to me. I admit I hadn't gotten the drug references before.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

There is no such nickname for a heroin specifically called "Chinese Junk" other than it being a general reference to heroin made in a specific place. Like heroin from the UK called 'British Junk' or heroin from Canada 'Canadian Junk'.

Called Junk, yes. Called Smack, yes. There is a  variety called 'China White'. There are opiums called Chinese Tobacco, Chinese Molasses.

More info: http://thecyn.com/heroin-rehab/street-names/

But 'Chinese Junk', no specific street drug by that name. Certainly is a clever pun, drug reference. No positive drug references in the song in my opinion.

But if you google 'Chinese Junk', you'll just get a bunch of boat refernces.

Which, oddly enough, is exactly what I said - "A junk is indeed an old Chinese boat. It's also a slang term for drugs in general, ergo Chinese junk can also refer to opium or heroin." So, you're upbraiding me for, uh, saying exactly what you're saying. 

Oh, also...

Didn't Mike write a lot of the lyrics? Which were certainly not drug related. I think it's a stretch to say it's a drug song despite the origins and background story.

So... now it's "Certainly is a clever pun, drug reference." In ORR World, black can be white !

Wow, chill AGD. Bad weekend? I had your back dude.   

In my meaningless opinion, it isn't a "drug" song from the BB version, but a person in trouble, rescue song.  You could take it either way, just like "Puff the Magic Dragon", which is still debated to this day. Phillips lyrics probably had drug references. But I am sure Mr. Love wouldn't have that intent. He is all about spirituality, Fun, Fun, Fun and clean living. 

Me wonders why you continually have to quote me and argue with me??  I am flattered you put my opinion in such high regard but rather think the 'board' is as 'bored' with it as I am! 

[Andrew G. Doe]

I think the very obvious references tend to escape the following people:

1 - those whose first language isn't English...
2 - those who don't understand (or claim not to... ) drug slang...
3 - those whose general knowledge doesn't extend to Chinese maritime history 101...
4 - those who plain don't want to understand because I made the original point re: drug references in the song. 

So good I can claim that point 1 applies to me. I admit I hadn't gotten the drug references before.

This probably tells you far more about me than is wise, but the first time I heard the song, back in 1989, I went "oh my* - do they know what they're singing about ?".

(* - or something like that...)

[HeyJude]

Isn’t that the point of writing a clever pun? The normal usage of “Chinese Junk” is clear. To construct the pun, you need to take the reference you’re trying to make (in this case “junk” being slang for drugs) and put a descriptor on it. It does not cease being a pun because the adjective added to the term makes the entire term not technically a slang word. This is not a difficult thing to deconstruct; we’re not even in “over and over the crow cries” territory here folks. Dude is talking about his daughter (or whoever) being overseas, and in one variation of the analysis of the pun, she is partaking in drugs sourced from China, or “Chinese Junk.” It doesn’t mean “Chinese Junk” is a drug term like “Acapulco Gold” or something. It’s like “Humboldt Weed” or “Bay Area Acid” or whatever.

Is “SNJ” a “drug song?” Whether to label the song in that fashion is totally subjective. Are the drug references pro or anti? Who knows? Generally speaking, they paint a negative picture of the situation I suppose. The song doesn’t reference being on “junk” as if it made everything better. But any drug reference can be interpreted as “pro” if you think the song is painting a romantic picture of drug usage.

But the argument here has shifted, because there are unequivocally drug *references* in the song.

[HeyJude]

I think the very obvious references tend to escape the following people:

1 - those whose first language isn't English...
2 - those who don't understand (or claim not to... ) drug slang...
3 - those whose general knowledge doesn't extend to Chinese maritime history 101...
4 - those who plain don't want to understand because I made the original point re: drug references in the song. 

So good I can claim that point 1 applies to me. I admit I hadn't gotten the drug references before.

This probably tells you far more about me than is wise, but the first time I heard the song, back in 1989, I went "oh my* - do they know what they're singing about ?".

(* - or something like that...)

This is a good point to make. For any fans out there that are upset about the prospect of your beloved Beach Boys concocting some epic drug ode, it’s totally plausible that while some or all of the BB’s saw the individual drug puns or references, they didn’t see that as a primary facet of the song. In other words, in true “Spinal Tap” fashion, the BB’s may not have been aware of how much of a “drug song” the track could have been interpreted as being.

[The Shift]

…For any fans out there that are upset about the prospect of your beloved Beach Boys concocting some epic drug ode, it’s totally plausible that … they didn’t see that as a primary facet of the song.

I'm far more upset to learn of this aspect of our beloved AGD's past, so late in the day. He never offered me any…  

[Wirestone]

IIRC, Papa John's version doesn't even have a bridge section, right?

These lyrics are all for a bridge that sounds quite different from the rest of the song -- I'd always assumed it was the one section where the BBs contributed stuff ...

Also, Mike and Terry get a credit on this tune (as expected), but so does Bruce ... how did he feel about all of this? Or was he strung out on some Chinese junk at the time (from all of his healthy living) ...

[positivemusic]

Not to derail this thread, as often happens, but does anyone know where a high or at least good quality version of the single version can be found?

The video has been uploaded to youtube, very thankfully, but the audio is very wanting.

[Mike's Beard]

I read about the song before actually hearing it and knowing it was about Papa John's daughter made the drug references very clear to me from the first listen.

Also props to Mike and Melcher for crafting a great song out of what was originally a fairly horrible tune. 

[Matt H]

How did SNJ and Kokomo end up with the Beach Boys?  Does anyone know the story behind that?

[Mr. Wilson]

So Mike + Terry  were responsible for bringing this song to BB..?? The song has 4-5 writing credits so im not sure.  And when I heard this song 1st time in 1989 I thought it was a made up tale adrift at sea on a Chinese junk.. Their lost at sea.. Only thing is the phrase strung out near Japan.. Clearly a drug reference..  Ive always really enjoyed this song  everything about it..  Clearly innovative and I like the long version. No matter what the song is about its a keeper..

[Freddie French-Pounce]

I'd not heard the phrase 'Chinese Junk' before, although I had heard about "some Indonesian junk that's goin' 'round"

Rollin' numbers, rock an' rollin'... got my BEACH BOYS records out

Not to derail this thread, as often happens, but does anyone know where a high or at least good quality version of the single version can be found?

The video has been uploaded to youtube, very thankfully, but the audio is very wanting.

My video must be hiding then: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGVK9zTYIlU

[positivemusic]

I'd not heard the phrase 'Chinese Junk' before, although I had heard about "some Indonesian junk that's goin' 'round"

Rollin' numbers, rock an' rollin'... got my BEACH BOYS records out

Not to derail this thread, as often happens, but does anyone know where a high or at least good quality version of the single version can be found?

The video has been uploaded to youtube, very thankfully, but the audio is very wanting.

My video must be hiding then: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGVK9zTYIlU

Many thanks for posting and uploading it in the first place!!

[SurfRiderHawaii]

So Mike + Terry  were responsible for bringing this song to BB..?? The song has 4-5 writing credits so im not sure.  And when I heard this song 1st time in 1989 I thought it was a made up tale adrift at sea on a Chinese junk.. Their lost at sea.. Only thing is the phrase strung out near Japan.. Clearly a drug reference..  Ive always really enjoyed this song  everything about it..  Clearly innovative and I like the long version. No matter what the song is about its a keeper..

Is "strung out" another clever veiled drug reference pun? I think the bands Strung Out or Strung Out Strings wouldn't appreciate the association.   Strungoutstrings.com Just being facetious of course. 

But a song with drug references does not make it a pro drug. There can be anti-drug songs in popular rock that are artistic. Neil Young's "Needle and the Damage Done" and "Tonight's the Night" (which is much about Neil's roadie Bruce Berry, ironically Jan Berry's brother).

[Mr. Wilson]

I never said it was a Pro or anti drug song.. I always thought it was tale of being lost at sea..  And the phrase STRUNG OUT  Is a drug phrase. It means to be on a bender + addicted..  Time for rehab.. ! Jails Institutions Death.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

I never said it was a Pro or anti drug song.. I always thought it was tale of being lost at sea..  And the phrase STRUNG OUT  Is a drug phrase. It means to be on a bender + addicted..  Time for rehab.. ! Jails Institutions Death.

Oh, I know Mr. Wilson. Didn't mean to infer you had. Sorry. I was just combining comments in ref to some other posts which inferred some of the references could be positive ones. As I said, I was being facetious about "strung out".

To be further so, as an ex Navy man, I can tell you there are nautical references to "strung out". The main sail on a Chinese Junk can be said to be "strung out". Ships or boats in a flotilla can be said to be "strung out" in formation.

I wonder if Paul and Mary thought they were singing about pot or a magical dragon?

[Mr. Wilson]

No problem I wasn't upset.. As far as Puff The Magic dragon goes.. I have no idea.. Hope not I thought it was a fairytale song..

[Bicyclerider]

"Didn't Mike write a lot of the lyrics? Which were certainly not drug related!"

I believe this to be true.  I doubt the lyrics MIKE wrote were drug related - mr. positivity?  Mr. girl-boy relatability?  No Way!  Were there lyrics included in the song that were and are drug related?  Sure.

[Jonathan Blum]

This probably tells you far more about me than is wise, but the first time I heard the song, back in 1989, I went "oh my* - do they know what they're singing about ?".

(* - or something like that...)

Hell, I'm tediously clean in such departments, and even I raised an eyebrow when I caught that line!

I already knew about Papa John and his daughter having problems in that area, though...

Cheers,
Jon Blum

[Phoenix]

Wow.  I can't tell if some of the people in this thread are being purposely obtuse, having a laugh, or are really just that dense.