Here is some background information on Dave Barnes from the Mine To Love Songfacts: Barnes gained a lot of recognition after his song "God Gave Me You" became a hit single for Blake Shelton. Barnes' fifth album, Stories To Tell was his first release since his breakthrough. The album was recorded in Los Angeles with producer John Fields, marking the first time Barnes had recorded outside of his home town Nashville. It was released on March 13, 2012.
Chameleon
Dave Barnes Lyrics
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It's in pieces on the ground - all apart
There's nothing that that boy won't do when it comes to you
Chameleon, you know that it's wrong
But it's fun to have someone you can pull along
The way you treat that boy ain't fair, but he don't care
What does it say if you got nothing to say?
He's just your silly little thing hangin' on a string
Waiting by the phone praying it'll ring
You know it ain't right
'Cause you're never gonna do what he wants to
Kneeling by the bed, praying it true
You know it ain't right
Chameleon, what's he gonna do?
You gloss them lips, shake them hips
Honey, what's wrong with you?
He'll follow you wherever you go, and I know you know
What does it mean it you know you don't mean it?
What does it say if you got nothing to say?
He's just your silly little thing hangin' on a string
Waiting by the phone praying it'll ring
You know it ain't right
'Cause you're never gonna do what he wants to
Kneeling by the bed, praying it true
You know it ain't right
You ain't gotta tell me, he fell too fast
But would you just tell him it ain't gonna last
What does it mean it you know you don't mean it?
What does it say if you got nothing to say?
He's just your silly little thing hangin' on a string
Waiting by the phone praying it'll ring
You know it ain't right
'Cause you're never gonna do what he wants to
Kneeling by the bed, praying it true
You know it ain't right
In Dave Barnes's song Chameleon, the singer addresses a woman who is leading a man on, causing him deep pain and heartbreak. The woman is referred to as a chameleon, able to change her colors and adapt to any situation in order to keep the man on a string. The singer observes that the man is willing to do anything for her, but she doesn't feel the same way. She knows that she is hurting him, but she can't help herself from continuing the charade. The singer questions her behavior, wondering what it means if she knows she doesn't mean it and has nothing to say.
The chorus repeats several times, emphasizing the hurtful nature of the woman's actions. She is using the man for her own pleasure, even though she knows it's wrong. The man is portrayed as a victim of her emotional manipulation, waiting by the phone for her call and hoping for something that will never come.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the lengths people will go to in order to keep someone they want around, even if it means causing pain to the other person. It speaks to the universal experience of unrequited love and the painful fallout that can result.
Line by Line Meaning
Chameleon, you're breakin' his heart
The song is directed towards someone who is leading a guy on, causing him to fall in love, only to break his heart.
It's in pieces on the ground - all apart
The guy is completely devastated and heartbroken, as if his very being is falling apart.
There's nothing that that boy won't do when it comes to you
The guy is hopelessly in love and will do absolutely anything for her, regardless of how much it hurts him in the end.
Chameleon, you know that it's wrong
The girl realizes that her behavior is unfair and hurting the guy, but she chooses to ignore it for her own personal satisfaction.
But it's fun to have someone you can pull along
Although it's wrong, she enjoys having someone to manipulate and control to feed her own ego.
The way you treat that boy ain't fair, but he don't care
Despite the girl's unfair treatment, the guy remains completely devoted and oblivious to how much he's being taken advantage of.
What does it mean if you know you don't mean it?
The repetition of this question suggests introspection and self-awareness on behalf of the girl, questioning why she continues to lead him on if she knows she doesn't truly care for him.
What does it say if you got nothing to say?
Another question to provoke thought, suggesting the girl may not have a reason to continue leading him on other than for her own satisfaction without any genuine feelings.
He's just your silly little thing hangin' on a string
The guy is nothing more than a toy that the girl is playing with, hanging around for her own amusement without any real intentions towards him.
Waiting by the phone praying it'll ring
The guy is anxiously waiting for a sign from the girl, wishing for any form of communication that will make him feel wanted.
You know it ain't right
The repetition of this phrase emphasizes that the girl is aware of how unfair she's being towards the guy, yet continues to manipulate him.
'Cause you're never gonna do what he wants to
The girl has no intention of giving the guy what he wants, making it even more cruel to lead him on in the first place.
Kneeling by the bed, praying it true
The guy is so infatuated with the girl that he's resorting to prayer to hopefully make her feelings for him true, which is an unhealthy mindset.
Chameleon, what's he gonna do?
The switch from referring to the girl as a chameleon to addressing her directly suggests that her manipulation tactics may be ineffective in the long run, and the guy will eventually have to confront her actions.
You gloss them lips, shake them hips
This line implies the girl is using her physical appearance and demeanor to keep the guy interested and under her spell.
Honey, what's wrong with you?
A rhetorical question posed towards the girl, wondering why she's so willing to hurt someone else for her own pleasure.
He'll follow you wherever you go, and I know you know
The guy's devotion is so strong that he'll go wherever the girl leads him, and she knows it, which is why she's able to manipulate him so easily.
You ain't gotta tell me, he fell too fast
The singer acknowledges that the guy fell for the girl too quickly and too passionately, making it even harder for him to let go.
But would you just tell him it ain't gonna last
The singer directs the girl to put an end to the guy's pain and heartbreak by being honest and upfront about their relationship's eventual end.
Writer(s): Dave Barnes Copyright: Songs Of Razor And Tie O.B.O. No Gang Music Publishing
Contributed by Lucas J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.