Reputed to have the most talented and highly-paid musicians of the day, Spike Jones and his musicians were considerably more than simply novelty performers. Much of their performances even included theatrics and musical athletics. Spike Jones was subtley avant-garde in that he deftly combined elements and master performers of pop, dance, early jazz, blues, country and folk music with genes as distant as opera and classical.
Chloe
Spike Jones Lyrics
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Someone's calling, no reply
Nightshade's falling, hear him sigh
Chloe! Chloe!
Empty spaces in his eyes
Through the black of night
I've got to go where you are
If it's dark or bright
I've got to go where you are
I'll go through the dismal swampland
Searching for you
For if you are lost there
Let me be there, too
Through the smoke and flame
I've got to go where you are
For no ways can be too far
Where you are
Ain't no chains can bind you
If you live, I'll find you
Love is calling me
I've got to go where you are
The song Chloe by Spike Jones is about a man desperately searching for his love, Chloe. He is calling out for her but there is no response. He feels her absence around him as the night falls and sighs with sadness. He sees empty spaces in his eyes and reaches out his empty arms, crying for her. He is determined to find her and promises to go through any obstacle to reach her, even if it means searching through the dismal swampland. He wants to be with her, in the dark or in bright light, and he will go through anything to find her.
The lyrics are full of passion and desperation, and they show the extent to which a person can go to be with the one they love. The song is a classic representation of a love story and the desire people feel to be with the person they love, no matter how difficult it is. The lyrics also highlight the sense of loss and sadness that comes when a person is separated from their loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone's calling, no reply
Chloe's lover is calling out for her, but she doesn't respond
Nightshade's falling, hear him sigh
The sorrowful sound of her lover's sigh mixes with the darkness of the night
Empty spaces in his eyes
The pain of being separated from Chloe is evident in her lover's eyes
Empty arms outstretched, he's crying
In his despair, Chloe's lover longs to hold her, but she's not there
Through the black of night
Even in the darkest of times, Chloe's lover still seeks her out
I've got to go where you are
No matter what, Chloe's lover will go to any lengths to find her
If it's dark or bright
Whether it's day or night, Chloe's lover will search for her
I'll go through the dismal swampland
Her lover is willing to brave difficult terrain to find her
Searching for you
The sole purpose of Chloe's lover's journey is to find her
For if you are lost there
If Chloe is lost in the swamp, her lover will be there to find her
Let me be there, too
Her lover wants to be with Chloe no matter where she is
Through the smoke and flame
Even in the midst of danger, Chloe's lover will continue to search for her
For no ways can be too far
No distance is too great for her lover to travel to be with her
Ain't no chains can bind you
Nothing can keep Chloe away from her lover or his search for her
If you live, I'll find you
Chloe's lover is determined to find her, no matter the cost, as long as she's alive
Love is calling me
Love is driving Chloe's lover to find her
I've got to go where you are
In the end, Chloe's lover's quest will lead him to her, wherever she may be
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL MORET, GUS KAHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@abhniccoinnich
I can hear my late Dad mimicking this. Just wonderful! A cradle song from 68 years ago.
@munchymuffins5187
I work at a retirement home. An old man who had memory problems always sings this to me and that's how he remembers my name haha
@stachadicante4498
I had a client who was born in 1918.. When he found out my granddaughter was named Chloe... He always liked to play this song when I was over... Great memories..
@doctorjames7454
"Where are ya', you old bat?" Lol.
@goinghomesomeday1
I haven't hear this since the last century :-)
Hearing it again after such a long time has me chuckling like mad.
@MrDaiseymay
Absolutely wonderful--I was 5 when the family used to play this over and over, with 'Cocktails for Two'. Were they on the same Shellac disc---anyone?
@cmcc1442
Philip Croft they were.
@oaktadopbok665
Frank Zappa had to have gotten some of his musical ideas from Spike Jones.
@peabody3000
yep zappa did say so
@simondawe8774
"Where are ya, y'old bat?!"