Through Mark Burgess' vocals and dark and ironic lyrics, their songs often dealt with personal themes of childlike innocence and a reverence for nostalgia. Musically, perhaps most notable in their work was the band's innovative and distinctive use of dual guitar melodies, courtesy of Reg Smithies and Dave Fielding, as opposed to the traditional rhythm-and-lead guitarist format prevalent in rock music even to this day. These arrangements were often characterized by the use of delay and chorus effects.
Although The Chameleons never attained the level of commercial success or fame enjoyed by their contemporaries (e.g. The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen), their body of work is still critically acclaimed within the music press and influenced bands as diverse as Kitchens of Distinction, Puressence, Protokoll, Interpol, and Editors.[1]
Nostalgia
Chameleons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Battles raging within me
Absorbing your words
Is gradually tearing my soul in two
There isn't much I could do
Despite my fear it helps to
Share my nostalgia with you
We are constantly changing
You're draining my will
I find myself rearranging my points of view
There isn't much I could do
Despite my fear it helps to
Share my nostalgia with you
Tomorrow I remember yesterday
Tomorrow, remember yesterday
Tomorrow, remember yesterday
Tomorrow I remember yesterday
Whatever lies in my past
Or what is yet in the future
Time passes so fast
Suppose there's always the danger
I won't pull through
I'll have to think this thing through
Despite my fear it helps to
Share my nostalgia with you
Tomorrow I'll remember yesterday
Tomorrow I remember yesterday
Tomorrow, remember yesterday
Tomorrow, remember yesterday
Tomorrow, remember yesterday...
Tomorrow, nostalgia will lead me away
In the song "Nostalgia", Chameleons' lead singer Mark Burgess expresses his inner turmoil as he struggles to cope with the ever-changing world around him. He starts by saying that he is absorbing the words of someone else, which is leading to internal battles that are tearing his soul apart. Despite his fear, he feels like sharing his nostalgia with this person. The nostalgia referred to here is likely the yearning for a simpler time or a longing for the past, which is a feeling that many people can relate to.
As the song continues, Burgess speaks to the fleeting nature of time and how it constantly changes us. He feels drained and finds himself rearranging his points of view. He expresses a fear of not being able to "pull through", implying that he may not be able to handle the changes that are coming. In the end, he concludes that despite his fear, sharing his nostalgia with this person helps him to cope.
Overall, "Nostalgia" is a song about the fear of change and the longing for a simpler time. It conveys a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty that many people may feel, especially during times of change.
Line by Line Meaning
Absorbing your words
I am listening intently to what you say
Battles raging within me
I am struggling to come to terms with conflicting thoughts and emotions
Absorbing your words
Your words are having a powerful effect on me
Is gradually tearing my soul in two
Your effect on me is causing great internal conflict
There isn't much I could do
I feel powerless to change the situation
Despite my fear it helps to
Although I'm scared, it's comforting to
Share my nostalgia with you
Talk to you about my fond memories of the past
There isn't time to stand still
Life moves on too quickly to stay in one place
We are constantly changing
We are always evolving and growing
You're draining my will
You're making it hard for me to stay motivated
I find myself rearranging my points of view
I am changing my perspective to adapt to new circumstances
Tomorrow I remember yesterday
In the future, I will look back on the past
Whatever lies in my past
No matter what has happened before
Or what is yet in the future
Or what is still to come
Time passes so fast
Life goes by very quickly
Suppose there's always the danger
Perhaps there's always a risk
I won't pull through
I might not make it
I'll have to think this thing through
I need to consider my options carefully
Tomorrow, nostalgia will lead me away
In the future, my longing for the past will take me elsewhere
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GIDEON JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andressawkey
Absorbing your words
Battles raging within me
Absorbing your words
Is gradually tearing my soul in two
There isn't much I can do
Despite my fear it helps to
Share my nostalgia with you
There isn't time to stand still
We are constantly changing
You're draining my will
I find myself rearranging my points of view
There isn't much I could do
Despite my fear it helps to
Share my nostalgia with you
Tomorrow I remember yesterday
Tomorrow, remember yesterday
Tomorrow, remember yesterday
Tomorrow I remember yesterday
Whatever lies in my past
Or what is yet in the future
Time passes so fast
Suppose there's always the danger, I won't pull through
I'll have to think this thing through
Despite my fear it helps to
Share my nostalgia with you
Tomorrow I'll remember yesterday
Tomorrow I remember yesterday
Tomorrow I remember yesterday
Tomorrow, remember yesterday
Tomorrow, remember yesterday
Tomorrow, remember yesterday
Tomorrow, remember yesterday
Tomorrow, remember yesterday
Tomorrow, remember yesterday
Tomorrow, nostalgia will lead me away
Nostalgia will lead me away
Away, away
Nostalgia will lead me away
Away, nostalgia will lead me away
Away, nostalgia will lead me away
Away, away
@notlob23
Always had this on in the car when my soon to be 35 year old son Dean was only months old. He loves all of the 80s music.Still goes to concerts with me now and adores The Chameleons.
@emmettmckenna4565
You raised that boy right! Or correctly, I should say! Haha
@kbanderson2820
This song makes me so happy and sad all at the same time:) :(
@h.c.49
Perhaps you could say it makes you nostalgic.
@emmettmckenna4565
That’s what The Chameleons do to a body!
@emmettmckenna4565
@@h.c.49 I like the way you think!
@djcedric
'80s music this good never gets old.
@JohnnyLREACTS
timeless
@emmettmckenna4565
Going to see Chameleons Vox in two weeks.
@thebarbaryghostsf
This song makes me think really deeply about my life, and my regrets.