The band initially released three studio albums in the 1980s, to solid critical acclaim. After their third release, Strange Times, in 1987 they abruptly disbanded following the sudden death of band manager Tony Fletcher. The Chameleons were, for all practical purposes, extinct for well over a decade before releasing - to the delight and even disbelief of its ardently loyal fan base - a final studio album in 2001, entitled Why Call It Anything. The band quickly dissolved once again in 2003 due to personal differences, after a successful reunion tour which took them across Europe and the United States. Though having never attained the level of commercial success or fame enjoyed by their contemporaries (e.g. U2, Echo and the Bunnymen, Joy Division), The Chameleons' early impact can still be felt throughout much of popular music today.
Dave Fielding went on to form The Reegs who released a couple of ep's . Then in 2003 formed Coconut Dogfuck a trance techno dance act with Ralph on percussion, Paul Didge on didge and Dave playing guitar and dulcimer . They released an ep and played festivals and gigs around the uk . Andy Clegg Keyboards with the Chameleons also joind Mark and Andy Whittikar to form Sun and the Moon. Both Andys also played with Manchester Band B.F.G.
Swamp Thing
The Chameleons Lyrics
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Calling me across the room
When the world and his wife are on my back again
Not enough pleasure, too much pain
When the world is too much with me
Please leave, just go away
I lose my mind completely
Please leave, just go now
In the side street something's moving
Look around, look around
All around you walls are tumbling down
Stop staring at the ground
I can practically see your face
And another revolutionary falls from grace
Hear the thunder in your brain
Not enough sunshine, too much rain
When the light of life has gone
No change for the meter
And then the king of spivs will come
Selling blood by the liter
When nothing's sacred anymore
When the demon's knocking on your door
You'll still be staring down at the floor
Not too many hours from this hour
So long
The storm comes
Or is it just another shower?
Picking up the pieces
Half alive in a nine-to-five
Vacant eyes
Is it any wonder?
For I must scream at the TV screen
Close your eyes
Now the world is too much with me
Please leave, just go away
Before I lose my mind completely
Just leave, please go now
Now nothing's sacred anymore
When the demon's breaking down your door
You'll still be staring down at the floor
Not too many hours from this hour
So long
The storm comes
Or is it just another shower?
Not too many hours from this hour
So long
Now the storm has come
Or is it just another shower?
Or is it just another shower?
Or is it just another shower?
Now the rain has come
Or is it just another shower?
The Chameleons' "Swamp Thing" is a song that captures a sense of melancholy and hopelessness, mixed with a profound backbeat that aims to lift the spirits of the listener. The lyrics delve into themes that revolve around escapism, falling from grace, and the weight of everyday life struggles. In the opening stanza, the singer hears a tune and feels called to it, but feels the weight of the world on their back, consumed by pain while searching for pleasure.
The chorus of the song acts as a call to retreat and escape from the harshness of reality, with lines echoing the sentiment of the world being too much to bear. There is a break in the verses that describe the world around the singer, with walls tumbling down and something moving on a side street. The verses end with a warning that something is amiss, a revolutionary falling from grace, and the thunder in your brain.
As the song progresses, it is clear that the singer is struggling with the mundanity of life, described as "half alive in a nine-to-five." Despite everything, the chorus repeats, reminding the listener that sometimes the only thing to do is to close your eyes and leave. As the song ends and the storm comes, there is a sense of acceptance, with the singer questioning whether it is just another shower, whether this is just another still from the rigmarole of daily life, or whether it could be something more significant.
Line by Line Meaning
I can already hear your tune
I feel your presence even when you're not around
Calling me across the room
Your essence is so powerful and captivating that I feel drawn towards you
When the world and his wife are on my back again
When I'm surrounded by negativity and everyone seems to be against me
Not enough pleasure, too much pain
Life is tough and I'm not getting enough joy to balance out the hardships
When the world is too much with me
When I'm overwhelmed and stressed by everything going on around me
Please leave, just go away
I need a break from everything, including you
I lose my mind completely
I'm on the brink of insanity
Please leave, just go now
I need to be alone and away from all the chaos
In the side street something's moving
There's something going on in the shadows and I'm not sure what it is
Look around, look around
Be aware of your surroundings
All around you walls are tumbling down
Everything is falling apart and there's chaos and destruction everywhere
Stop staring at the ground
Get out of your own head and pay attention to what's happening around you
I can practically see your face
I can almost visualize you here with me
And another revolutionary falls from grace
Someone who was once passionate and rebellious has lost their way
Hear the thunder in your brain
Feel the intensity of your own thoughts and emotions
Not enough sunshine, too much rain
Again, life is tough and there's not enough positivity to balance out the negativity
When the light of life has gone
When all the good in life has faded away
No change for the meter
There's no sense of progress or positivity to look forward to
And then the king of spivs will come
A dishonest or corrupt figure is on the horizon, ready to take advantage of the situation
Selling blood by the liter
Exploiting others' pain and misfortune for their own gain
When nothing's sacred anymore
When everything is corrupt or meaningless
When the demon's knocking on your door
When you're facing your biggest fears or inner demons
You'll still be staring down at the floor
You'll still be too afraid or stuck to do anything about it
Not too many hours from this hour
The end is near
So long
Farewell
The storm comes
The final challenge or obstacle is here
Or is it just another shower?
Is this really the end, or just another setback?
Picking up the pieces
Trying to move on and rebuild after loss or hardship
Half alive in a nine-to-five
Feeling unfulfilled and trapped in a mundane, monotonous routine
Vacant eyes
A sense of emptiness or lack of purpose
Is it any wonder?
Is it really surprising that I feel this way?
For I must scream at the TV screen
Feeling powerless or frustrated with the world, expressed by yelling at a TV
Close your eyes
A sense of escapism or trying to ignore reality
Now nothing's sacred anymore
Everything has lost its meaning or value
When the demon's breaking down your door
When your biggest fears or struggles are directly impacting your life
Not too many hours from this hour
Time is running out
Now the storm has come
The final challenge or obstacle is here
Or is it just another shower?
Is this really the end, or just another setback?
Now the rain has come
The situation has become more difficult or challenging
Or is it just another shower?
Is this really the end, or just another setback?
Lyrics © SCHUBERT MUSIC PUBLISHING INC.
Written by: DAVID FIELDING, JOHN LEVER, MARK BURGESS, REGINALD HOPE SMITHIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind