Yang Yang (song)

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Yang Yang is a song by Yoko Ono that first appeared in 1973 on the album Approximately Infinite Universe. It was released as the B-side to “Death of Samantha” and later appeared on Ono’s compilations Walking on Thin Ice and Onobox. In 2002, a remix of Yang Yang released as part of the ONO remix project reached number 17 on the US dance charts.

The song’s title character is a powerful man who talks to “his world” and to himself by telephone. He bullies both women (whom he “owns”) and men (sending them “pebbles and stones”). The lyrics are often read as a commentary on feminism, emotional distance, and the dehumanization of both sexes.

The track has drawn attention from critics, including notes about the Orange Factory remix, which gave the song a bold, club-ready groove.

Anika covered Yang Yang in 2010 as the lead single from her debut album Anika. The cover was released as a free MP3 and received positive commentary. Anika explained she chose the song for its words and political edge. AllMusic called the version a “fantastic anti-pop single” with distinctive synths, and NME praised the interpretation. Drowned in Sound later listed Anika’s cover among Singles of the Year 2010.

A music video for Yang Yang was directed by John Minton. The video features scenes of cartoon UFOs, financial trading floors, Ronald McDonald, Monty Python’s Life of Brian, The Skeleton Dance, and Earth as seen from space.