Chistine's lustrous voice came to prominence as a back-up singer for Richar… Read Full Bio ↴Chistine's lustrous voice came to prominence as a back-up singer for Richard Thompson, where she was featured opposite Clive Gregson. While touring with Thompson from 1985-1988, she and Gregson began their own recording career, releasing four original albums through 1992 as Clive Gregson & Christine Collister.

In 1995, she released her first solo album, "Live". She soon after joined a 'supergroup' of female British musicians, Daphne's Flight, and released an album with them in 1996. She has since released five more albums plus two live albums and a dvd available from her website (www.christinecollister.com) and continues to tour both solo and with the Dave Kelly/Christine Collister band. She still guests periodically with Richard Thompson.

I Want To Vanish
Christine Collister Lyrics

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I want to vanish
This is my fondest wish
To go where I cannot be captured
Laid on a decorated dish
Even in splendor this curious fate
Is more than I care to surrender
Now it's too late

Whether in wonder or indecent haste
You arrange the mirrors and the spools
To snare the rare and precious jewels
That were only made of paste

If you should stumble upon my last remark
I'm crying in the wilderness
I'm trying my best to make it dark
How can I tell you I'm rarer than most
I'm certain as a lost dog
Pondering a sign post

Chorus

I want to vanish
This is my last request

I've given you the awful truth
Now give me my rest

Overall Meaning

In Christine Collister's song "I Want To Vanish," the singer expresses a deep desire to disappear and evade the capture of those who seek to control her. The lyrics speak of the singer's wish to avoid being reduced to a mere decoration, displayed as a precious object for the amusement of others. Even in situations of great splendor, the singer is unwilling to surrender her independence and identity.

The second verse of the song conveys a sense of frustration at the way in which people manipulate their environment to obtain worthless treasures. By arranging mirrors and spools, they create an illusion of value in objects made of mere paste. The singer seems to be suggesting that people often lose sight of what is truly valuable in their pursuit of material wealth and status.

Even if the singer's message goes unheard by the rest of the world, she is determined to speak her truth and assert her individuality. The chorus repeats the singer's request to vanish, while the final verse underscores the urgency of her desire. She implores the listener to accept the "awful truth" she has revealed and honor her final wish for peace.

Line by Line Meaning

I want to vanish
I wish to disappear from existence.

This is my fondest wish
It is my strongest desire.

To go where I cannot be captured
To be in a place where I am free from being caught or captured.

Laid on a decorated dish
Seen as something valuable and displayed like a trophy.

Even in splendor this curious fate
Despite being in a beautiful situation, this odd destiny is unwilling to be given up.

Is more than I care to surrender
I do not want to give up this fate.

Now it's too late
There is no going back now.

Whether in wonder or indecent haste
No matter if it was done in amazement or impulsiveness.

You arrange the mirrors and the spools
You set up the equipment to capture and reflect my image.

To snare the rare and precious jewels
To catch something valuable and rare.

That were only made of paste
That turns out to be fake or worthless.