Just Fascination
Cabaret Voltaire Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Slipping into new disguise,
Your eyes know, your body lies.
This fascination. This fascination. This, fascination.

Your thoughts, closed off.
But it's no concern, concern of yours.
Just fascination. Just fascination. Just private, fascination.
Hide away in secrecy,
You chop away this fantasy.
This private fascination. This private, fascination.

But if they knew, you'd shoot yourself.
A beast, you'd shoot yourself.
This private, fascination.
Just fascination. This fascination. This private fascination.

Glances back, slip in the way, swift.
You've found another way of,
Slipping into your disguise,
Your eyes know, your body lies.
This fascination. This fascination.
Just fascination. Just fascination. Just private, fascination.
This private, fascination.

Drive away in privacy,
You chop away this fantasy.
Your thoughts, closed off.
But it's no concern, concern of yours.
Just fascination. Just fascination. Just fascination.
Just private, fascination. Just private, fascination.

A glance back, slipping away, the slip.
You pack another way.
But if they knew, you'd shoot yourself.
A beast, you'd shoot yourself.
This private fascination. This fascination. This fascination.
This private fascination.





This fascination. This fascination. This fascination.
This private, fascination. This private, fascination.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cabaret Voltaire's "Just Fascination" describe someone slipping into a new disguise, hiding away their thoughts and creating a private fascination that they keep secret from the world. The chorus repeats the word "fascination," emphasizing just how all-consuming and powerful this private interest is for the singer. The lyrics also include a warning of sorts, that if others were to discover this fascination, the singer would be so embarrassed they'd "shoot [them]self."


These lyrics dive into the psyche of a person who may not want to share their interests with others for fear of ridicule or embarrassment. By creating a private fascination, they're able to explore their interests without the fear of outside judgment. The repeated use of the word 'fascination' amplifies this concept, creating a sort of hypnotic, mental state that the singer gets lost in.


Overall, the song speaks to the complexities of human nature and the fear of being judged for one's interests or passions. By creating a private world, one can explore these passions without feeling the burden of societal norms and expectations.


Line by Line Meaning

Slipping into new disguise,
Changing your personality to hide your true self


Your eyes know, your body lies.
Your physical appearance contradicts your true feelings


This fascination. This fascination. This, fascination.
Your obsession with hiding who you really are


Your thoughts, closed off.
You refuse to share your true thoughts and feelings with others


But it's no concern, concern of yours.
You don't care about others knowing who you really are


Just fascination. Just fascination. Just private, fascination.
Your obsession with keeping your true self hidden


Hide away in secrecy,
Isolating yourself to maintain your disguise


You chop away this fantasy.
You actively work to maintain your false persona


But if they knew, you'd shoot yourself.
You're so afraid of being exposed that you'd rather die


A beast, you'd shoot yourself.
You see yourself as a monster for hiding your true self


Glances back, slip in the way, swift.
Quickly and quietly leaving to avoid suspicion


You've found another way of,
You've developed new tactics to hide your true self


Drive away in privacy,
Leaving while no one is looking


Just fascination. Just fascination. Just fascination.
Your persistent obsession with hiding who you really are


You pack another way.
You're always prepared to hide your true identity


This fascination. This fascination. This fascination.
Your overwhelming fixation with maintaining your disguise


This private, fascination. This private, fascination.
Your extremely personal and private obsession with hiding who you really are




Lyrics © Mute Song Limited
Written by: KIRK, RICHARD HAROLD MALLINDER, STEPHEN WILLIAM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Bob Dobalina

Rest in peace, Kirky. Man this one hurt. Ground-breaking pioneers. They were making proto-techno in the late 70s/early 80s. I used to LOVE them, they helped me thru a very difficult childhood - wracked with pain, they offered me an oasis of happiness, a sliver of solace. Growing up in the states, I remember the fight, the battle, to try to get our hands on ONE MORE hard to find import 12" single or album of theirs. But u know what? The work that it took made it all the sweeter when we finally got it onto our turntable. Man were those times great. But now, one-by-one, the lights are going out, we are leaving the party. So sad, but those that experienced them will cherish those days in our hearts forever, and sip the memories like fine wine that has aged well. Thanks for all the good times Kirk and Mallinder. Legends.

Claire BAER

I had a dream about Cabaret Voltaire, and some invite said let's be funny, let's make music. Not many will ever get it, but those that do are enough. I was invited to their party, but I was stressed out to the max. I knew I loved their music, but wasn't sure about them, in person. I went, and I mustered enough energy to walk around, and I just quickly woke up, never knowing if I experienced anything special, whatsoever, and I just somehow knew I never did find anything special. I will always love their music, that is a promise from the real me.

Andrew Buchanan-Carter

Damn dude, thanks for sharing. Well stated, and Hapax had the same positive effect on me. There are definitely artists that emulate and create similar music as Cabaret Voltaire does. Check out Buzz Kull, High Functioning Flesh, and an album titled Seedstate from a band called Head Of David. It sounds like a cross between Nitzer Ebb, Cabaret Voltaire and Godflesh.

malcolm lowrey

A pioneering band indeed. Ahead of the game and foresaw many later bands and established a cool genre....

Miss NovemberTuesday

I also listened to them during some hard times in the mid to late '80s. Radio died out for me around 1986 and I began to dive deeper into some bands' back catalogues. I always liked them and went to see them play the Palace in Hollywood in May 1985. I was right down front. I always had a bit of a thing for Mal. Great night!

Nava Lerman

The real fascination was at the age when I danced to the song and waited for it in the clubs, since then, even though I love my two sons very much, there has never been a more beautiful time in my life than this. Nothing like the 80s.

Jacqueline Iona

Wow, this is the first time I’m hearing the recorded version! I really love the live version and it’s great to finally hear this 🎉I’m 59 and I never had the pleasure of hearing this when it came out! TY YouTube and people who upload great music GREAT MUSIC ❤

JokerfleckCast

2021 and this still sounds futuristic.

Andy2018 Wat

Absolutely brilliant track. Cannot believe it's 40 years old! RIP Kirky. Such an original band and sound.

Thyristor Z

RIP Richard,
I used to dance to your music through the 80‘s…

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