I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported Burning the Ground’s Spring fundraiser so far. Because of your generosity, we’re already over halfway to our $1,500 goal—thank you so much.
Your support is making a real difference—helping cover hosting and security costs, keeping equipment running smoothly, and allowing me to track down rare records for future posts. Every contribution goes right back into keeping BTG alive, secure, and filled with the music we all love.
We still have a little way to go, and if you haven’t had a chance to contribute yet, there’s still time. The fundraiser will run through April 13. You can make a secure donation by debit card, credit card, or PayPal through the Donation Page, or by clicking any of the yellow Donate buttons throughout the site.
Thank you again for your incredible support—whether through donations, sharing the site, or simply stopping by to enjoy a favorite track. It truly means a lot.
Formed in London in the mid-1980s, Voice Of The Beehive brought together American-born vocalists Tracey Bryn and Melissa Brooke Belland, who created a bright, infectious pop sound that blended jangly guitars with a distinctly alternative edge. The band quickly became part of the late ’80s indie/pop crossover scene, delivering catchy hooks with just enough attitude to set them apart.
“I Say Nothing” was originally released in 1987 as the second single from their debut album Let It Bee. The track perfectly captures the band’s signature style—upbeat and melodic on the surface, but with lyrics that hint at frustration and emotional restraint.
Produced by Hugh Jones, known for his work with artists like Echo & the Bunnymen and The Sound, the song features crisp guitars, driving rhythm, and layered harmonies that give it that unmistakable late-’80s alternative pop sheen.
While “I Say Nothing” didn’t make a major impact on the U.S. charts, it became one of the band’s most recognizable tracks and remains a fan favorite among those who followed the UK indie scene at the time reaching #45 on the UK singles chart. Its blend of pop sensibility and indie credibility helped Voice Of The Beehive carve out a unique space during a period when guitar-driven pop was evolving into something brighter and more accessible.
There’s a certain charm to “I Say Nothing” that still resonates today—it’s one of those tracks that feels effortlessly catchy while carrying just enough emotional weight beneath the surface.
The single was reissued in 1988, peaking at #11 on the US Billboard Alternative chart. The re-issue also charted again in the UK at #46.
Chart Performance – Voice Of The Beehive: I Say Nothing (1988)
Chart
Peak Position
Date
US Billboard Alternative Tracks
#11
1988
UK Singles
#46
1988
Australia
#73
1987
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: London Records – 886 370-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Alternative Rock, Pop Rock
It’s that time again — the Burning the Ground Spring Fundraiser is officially underway!
Burning the Ground is a labor of love dedicated to preserving and sharing rare 12″ remixes, extended versions, and hard-to-find vinyl gems from the ’80s and ’90s. Whether you’re here to relive a favorite dancefloor memory or discover something new, I’m truly grateful to have you as part of this community.
Twice a year, in April and October, I hold a fundraiser to help keep the site running smoothly and to continue bringing you the music you love. The goal for this Spring fundraiser is $1,500. The fundraiser will run through April 13.
Your generous support goes directly toward:
🔒 Website hosting, security, monitoring, and protection
💿 Purchasing vinyl for future posts and requests
🛠️ Equipment maintenance and upgrades
If you’d like to support Burning the Ground, you can make a secure donation via PayPal using the Donation Page or by clicking any of the yellow Donate buttons throughout the site.
If you’re not able to contribute at this time, please don’t worry—just being here, listening, and sharing your memories means just as much.
Thank you for your continued support, your kind comments, and for helping keep this music alive for fans and collectors around the world. I truly couldn’t do this without you.
Released in 1980, “Turning Japanese” by The Vapors remains one of the most distinctive and enduring singles of the early New Wave era. Built on a tight, nervy guitar riff and an urgent vocal from David Fenton, the track perfectly captures the anxious energy that defined the shift from punk into more melodic, radio-friendly territory.
Formed in Guildford, England in the late 1970s, The Vapors emerged from the same fertile UK scene that produced bands like The Jam. In fact, the group got an early break when they supported The Jam on tour—an opportunity that helped them gain industry attention and ultimately led to a recording contract. Their sound balanced punk’s raw edge with a cleaner, more structured pop sensibility, placing them squarely in the first wave of British New Wave acts.
Produced by Vic Coppersmith-Heaven and released on the band’s debut album New Clear Days, “Turning Japanese” quickly became an international hit—reaching #3 in the UK and cracking the US Top 40. Its success was driven by its instantly recognizable hook and slightly offbeat character, setting it apart from more conventional pop releases of the time.
Musically, the track thrives on tension. The clipped guitar lines, driving rhythm section, and Fenton’s almost obsessive vocal delivery create a sense of unease that never fully resolves. That tension mirrors the song’s true subject: emotional fixation and the psychological spiral that can follow a failed relationship.
Despite long-standing rumors suggesting a more provocative meaning, Fenton has consistently explained that the song is about obsession and identity loss—the feeling of becoming someone else when consumed by thoughts of another person. That emotional core, paired with a deceptively simple arrangement, gives the track its lasting resonance.
The accompanying video—later picked up by MTV in its early days—helped introduce the band to a wider audience and cemented the single as a defining moment of early ‘80s pop culture. Although The Vapors released a follow-up album (Magnets) in 1981, they were unable to replicate the success of their debut, and the band soon faded from the spotlight.
Of note: the artwork featured here is taken from my personal copy of the U.S. white, rectangular-shaped vinyl edition. Interestingly, there was no standard picture sleeve issued for the regular U.S. 7″ release, making this version a unique and visually distinctive alternative for collectors.
Still, “Turning Japanese” endures. More than four decades on, it remains a sharp, catchy, and emotionally charged snapshot of a time when pop music embraced both vulnerability and eccentricity—hallmarks of the New Wave era at its very best.
SIDE A: Turning Japanese (Edited) 3:20
SIDE B: Talk Talk 3:50
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
Chart Performance – The Vapors: Turning Japanese (1980)
Chart
Peak Position
Date
US Billboard Hot 100
#36
1980
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play
#34
1980
Australia (Kent Music Report)
#1
1980
Canada Top Singles
#6
1980
Ireland (RMA)
#4
1980
New Zealand
#9
1980
UK Singles
#3
1980
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: United Artists Records – UA-X1364-Y
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: Rock
Style: New Wave, Punk
CREDITS: Producer – Vic Coppersmith-Heaven Written-By – David Fenton
NOTES:
From the United Artists Records LP “New Clear Days”
