"Most of 'Person...' was improvised on the mic to… Read Full Bio ↴Mark Burgess says:
"Most of 'Person...' was improvised on the mic too after watching a documentary at the studio about violence and some old lady getting beaten half to death in her own bedroom. That's one of the things I loved about this band, being able to go into something completely different when we didn't know what to do with an ending or something. Improvised like that live too sometimes, no lyrics, no ending, no problem."
A Person Isn't Safe Anywhere These Days
The Chameleons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Voices on the stair
When she turns there's something there
Like a nightmare from the past
To the sound of splintered glass
Dance the monsters in the mask
Man of steel
Man of steel
Have you killed her,someone said
As they drag you from your bed
Aah,kicking in your head
What kind of times are these
No-one hears no-one sees
As they drive you to your knees
Man of steel
Man of steel
Just standing in the rain
You just stood laughing in the rain
What kind of times are these
As they drive you to your knees
What kind of times are these
As they drive you to your knees
Dying on your knees
Dying in the rain
The rain
How can you laugh this one away?
Will you ever laugh this one away?
The Chameleons UK's song "Person Isn't Safe Anywhere These Days" seems to be about a woman who is haunted by something from her past. The lyrics suggest that when she turns, there is something there. This could represent a memory or an event that she cannot escape from. The line "dance the monsters in the mask" could be a metaphor for how sometimes people put on a mask or facade to hide the pain or trauma they are feeling inside.
The song also touches on themes of violence and injustice. The lines "have you killed her, someone said" and "kicking in your head" suggest that there has been some kind of violence or assault. The line "what kind of times are these" could be a commentary on the state of society, where violence and injustice seem to be all around us.
The chorus "man of steel just standing in the rain" seems to be a reference to Superman, who was often portrayed as a symbol of strength, hope and justice. However, the lines "you just stood laughing in the rain" and "dying in the rain" suggest that even the strongest and most heroic among us are not immune to the pain and suffering of the world. The final lines "how can you laugh this one away, will you ever laugh this one away" seem to be questioning whether it's possible to ever truly overcome the trauma and pain of our past.
Line by Line Meaning
As she parts her greying hair
The woman is getting ready or grooming herself.
Voices on the stair
There are sounds or noises coming from the stairs, indicating the presence of someone or something nearby.
When she turns there's something there.
The woman sees something or someone when she looks around.
Like a nightmare from the past
The thing or person she sees reminds her of something from her past, creating a sense of terror or fear.
To the sound of splintered glass
There is a loud, jarring noise in the background, possibly indicating something breaking or shattering.
Dance the monsters in the mask
The 'monsters' or scary things hide behind masks and dance, possibly symbolizing the concealed, lurking danger.
Man of steel
This person is strong, tough, or unemotional, like Superman ('Man of Steel')
Just standing in the rain.
This person is just standing there, possibly showing apathy or indifference to the surrounding circumstances
Have you killed her, someone said
Someone accuses this person of killing someone else (presumably a woman)
As they dragged you from your bed
This person was either asleep or resting when someone forcibly took them away.
Kicking in your head.
This person is assaulted or attacked, possibly causing confusion or disorientation.
What kind of times are these
The current circumstances or situations are uncertain, chaotic, or dangerous.
No one hears, no one sees
There is a sense of isolation or lack of help or support from others.
As they drive you to your knees
This person is forced to submit or surrender, possibly indicating a loss of power or control.
You just stood laughing in the rain.
This person laughed regardless of the situation, showing a lack of concern or empathy.
Dying on your knees
This person is dying or close to death but still forced to submit or surrender.
Dying in the rain
This person is dying in unpleasant or difficult circumstances.
The rain.
Rain serves as a metaphor for these difficult or tragic circumstances, possibly symbolizing tears or hardship.
How can you laugh this one away?
The singer questions the person's ability to laugh or ignore these difficult circumstances.
Will you ever laugh this one away?
The singer questions whether this person will ever be able to move on or forget about these difficult circumstances.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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