Jas Mann had formerly been in an indie music band, called The Sandkings, which he left in 1992, because of musical differences.
Babylon Zoo was signed to Phonogram Records after A&R rep Clive Black heard their first three-track demo tape in May 1993. When Black moved to Warner Bros. Records in 1993, he took Mann's contract with him. An album had been prepared and sleeves for a single, "Fire Guided Light", were printed, but Babylon Zoo's debut was put on hold again when Black moved once more to EMI in 1995, where the band were signed on to a seven-album contract.
However, promotional copies of the song "Spaceman" had already been distributed, and chosen to tie in with the release of a new Levi's jeans TV advert. The single went straight to Number 1 on the UK singles chart and also went to Number 1 in the single charts in twenty-three countries.
An album entitled The Boy with the X-Ray Eyes was produced at Mann's New Atlantis Productions music/artwork/video centre. It was released in 1996 and included new-age tracks such as "Is Your Soul for Sale?" and "I'm Cracking Up I Need a Pill". It debuted at #6 on the album charts and reached the Top 20 in 17 countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
In 1997, Jas Mann was lampooned on the channel 4 TV series, Brass Eye.
Three years later, in 1999, a follow-up album was released entitled King Kong Groover, but Mann decided not to promote the album as he was not getting support from his label EMI since the departure of the man who had signed him, Clive Black. Mann subsequently decided to move to India and work for an aid agency.
Years active 1992–2000
Chrome Invader
Babylon Zoo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My life tastes delicious
Somebody told me I was Asian trash
Man I'd like to listen to the words you had to say
It's like a bullet lodged in my head
Time to listen, what you're missin'
I'm just a rock'n'roll superman
Do you know who you are, who you are
Who you are, who you are
I'm a juvenile in a cage
A cosmetic boy insane
Return of the Chrome Invader
Asian kid with eyes electric blue
There's nothing he can't do, oh oh
Calling the Chrome Invader
Cosmic kid with all the latest moves
He's a crazy dude, oh oh oh
I'm a King Kong Groover on an ego trip
With atomic vision
Somebody told me I was fortunately hip
Man I'd like to listen to the words you had to say
It's like a bullet lodged in my head
Time to listen, what you're missin'
I'm just a rock'n'roll superman
Do you know who you are, who you are
I'm a laser-guided superstar
Who you are, who you are
I'm a juvenile in a cage
A cosmetic boy insane
Return of the Chrome Invader
Asian kid with eyes electric blue
There's nothing he can't do, oh oh
Calling the Chrome Invader
Cosmic kid with all the latest moves
He's a crazy dude, oh oh oh
Hidden in his eyes is the love that's no surprise
But are we all too young to die,
Are we all too young to die
Hidden in his eyes is the love that's no surprise
But are we all too young to die,
Are we all too young to die
Calling the Chrome Invader
Cosmic kid with all the latest moves
He's a crazy dude, oh oh oh.
The song "Chrome Invader" by Babylon Zoo is a high-energy rock song that seems to be about not conforming to societal norms and being a unique individual. The lyrics mention being wired for weirdness and wanting to listen to what others have to say, but feeling like it's a bullet lodged in their head. The singer refers to themselves as a rock 'n' roll Superman, a laser-guided superstar, and a King Kong Groover on an ego trip with atomic vision. They also mention being called "Asian trash" and having electric blue eyes, which seems to indicate they are proud of their differences.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Return of the Chrome Invader" and "Calling the Chrome Invader," which seems to signify a triumphant return of a unique individual who is not afraid to be themselves. The singer describes the Chrome Invader as a cosmic kid with all the latest moves and a crazy dude. They also mention hidden love in his eyes and questioning if they are all too young to die.
Overall, the song seems to celebrate individuality and encourage listeners to embrace their differences and not conform to societal norms or expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm wired for weird and I'm on attack
I'm unique and always ready for action
My life tastes delicious
I am living the good life
Somebody told me I was Asian trash
Someone insulted my cultural identity
Man I'd like to listen to the words you had to say
I want to hear your thoughts and opinions
It's like a bullet lodged in my head
I can't stop thinking about it
Time to listen, what you're missin'
It's time to pay attention to what you're ignoring
I'm just a rock'n'roll superman
I am a powerful rocker
Do you know who you are, who you are
Do you understand your true identity
I'm a laser-guided superstar
I am a precise and talented celebrity
Who you are, who you are
You need to know your true self
I'm a juvenile in a cage
I am young and trapped
A cosmetic boy insane
A boy obsessed with his looks to the point of madness
Return of the Chrome Invader
Another appearance from the Chrome Invader
Asian kid with eyes electric blue
A person of Asian descent with striking blue eyes
There's nothing he can't do, oh oh
He is confident in his abilities
Calling the Chrome Invader
Summoning the Chrome Invader
Cosmic kid with all the latest moves
A person with knowledge of new trends and fashions
He's a crazy dude, oh oh oh
He behaves in an unusual and unpredictable way
I'm a King Kong Groover on an ego trip
I am a boisterous and self-centered individual
With atomic vision
With an intense and powerful perspective
Somebody told me I was fortunately hip
Someone complimented my contemporary style
Hidden in his eyes is the love that's no surprise
His love is evident if you look closely
But are we all too young to die,
Isn't life meant to be lived for longer?
Calling the Chrome Invader
Summoning the Chrome Invader again
He's a crazy dude, oh oh oh.
He behaves in an unusual and unpredictable way
Contributed by Henry L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.