Chromosome Damage
Chrome Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're fighting on the streets
Put you with all the thieves and cheats
Going off to fight in the war
I don't know why but I do know more
Cheating in the streets & fighting on the lines
I don't why you should take my advise
Got my baby and I want to go there
You know they say the streets are no-where
Well I want to fly
I want to fly away




You know the way things fade
I can stand

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Chrome's song Chromosome Damage seem to speak to the struggles that some individuals face in their daily lives. The opening lines describe a person who is fighting on the streets with "thieves and cheats" and then going off to fight in a war. The singer of the song doesn't understand why this person is choosing this path, but they do know that it is more complicated than just making one choice. The person is also cheating and struggling to make a living. The singer offers advice but wonders if it will be listened to or ignored.


The chorus of the song offers a sense of escape from this difficult reality. The singer wants to fly away and leave all the challenges behind. They recognize that life is not always easy and that things fade, but they want to find a way to stand strong and keep pushing forward. The lyrics suggest a deep sense of longing for something better and a recognition that it may take some effort and sacrifice to achieve it.


Interestingly, the song's title "Chromosome Damage" refers to a scientific term that describes a change or defect in a person's DNA. This could suggest a metaphorical idea that the struggles and challenges faced by the song's protagonist are not necessarily caused by their own choices, but rather something out of their control that has affected their very being. The lyrics may speak to the idea that some people are dealt a difficult hand in life that they must learn to navigate and overcome.


Line by Line Meaning

You're fighting on the streets
You are confronting various challenges and obstacles in your life that are similar to fighting on the streets.


Put you with all the thieves and cheats
The challenges you are facing are similar to being surrounded by dishonest and unscrupulous people.


Going off to fight in the war
Metaphorically, you are preparing to engage in a difficult struggle or battle.


I don't know why but I do know more
You may not understand precisely what is driving you to face these struggles, but you are aware of the personal growth and knowledge gained from these experiences.


Cheating in the streets & fighting on the lines
You are confronted with many types of challenges and obstacles, from deceitful situations to potentially violent ones.


I don't why you should take my advise
It is uncertain whether you will accept and follow advice that others may offer regarding your current struggles.


Got my baby and I want to go there
You have your own goals and aspirations, and you are aiming to achieve them with the help of someone special.


You know they say the streets are no-where
Society perceives the streets as a barren and meaningless place where nothing of value is available.


Well I want to fly
You are eager to escape the limitations associated with your current state or environment.


I want to fly away
You wish to transcend your current situation and explore new opportunities that will help you achieve your personal desires and goals.


You know the way things fade
You understand that things eventually change and deteriorate, so it is essential to pursue desired opportunities and experiences before they fade.


I can stand
You are capable of enduring and overcoming the challenges that present themselves, with the help of those important to you.




Contributed by Claire R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Brian Meccano Leach

Pure genius, and thanks to the late John Peel for making me aware of Chrome in the late 70's.

Ray Pyne

Yes, I remember. Peel said something like: "a listener wrote to me and said there's this band that makes Pere Ubu sound like Brotherhood of Man" and then he played tracks from Alien Soundtracks. Peel also played "You've been duplicated", my all time Chrome fave

Ra'ed911

Amen to that... And I would say there's no comparison... Chrome are on the list of the most underrated, innovative and hidden gems of music...

Chris Rathouz

this is one of their very best moments EVER on any thing they created

Bud Hull

Chris Rathouz best Helios vocal, best Edge drumming, best outro instrumental, best solo... the only thing it’s really missing would be some media noises throughout the ending.

Myrrha Kerenko

Great psychedelic moment.

joel barber

of all the obscure shit in my cd collection, this continues to be the most interesting . and elicits the most "what the hell is that" responses when I play it. I got addicted to chrome in 1987, and I will never let it go. It is the most unique and genre busting music i own.

NinjaBoy137

I discovered this and Half MAchine Lip in 78-79.
Stands out beyond anything else I have ever heard. Those were crazy days. Just listening to this makes me feel high. Bloody awesome stuff!

John Wanamaker

even after all of theses years, it still stands clean and untouched by the hands of the ones that are blind.

John Wanamaker

I discovered this recording by accident in 1986, my children will find it in the same manner -by accident. that's the piece of the puzzle that MUST stay intact, the accidental discovery.

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