"Not quite sure where this came from, but it was … Read Full Bio ↴Mark Burgess says:
"Not quite sure where this came from, but it was a weird choice for a second single, I remember it caused some consternation. I think we were supposed to keep making 'In Shreds' over and over for a while, but you now, fuck that."
As High as You Can Go
The Chameleons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Signposts to the sun
As high as you can go
Lennons and Monroes
Claw their way to the stars
If they knew
And I don't care who you are
Just sign the line and away you fly
Unexpectedly rejected
Safety for the few
Same excuses resurrected
None of them are true
High as you can go
Lennons and Monroes
Claw their way to the stars
If they only knew
No I don't care who you are
Just sign the line and away you fly
Take a chance
Join the dance
Make the sound
Take a chance
Join the dance
Or go to ground.
No I don't care who you are
Sign the line and away you fly
The Chameleons’ “As High as You Can Go” is a song about the pursuit of fame and success, and the sacrifices and compromises that are often made along the way. The “out of tune boys” and “single file boys” represent those who are trying to make it in the industry, following the signposts to the sun, aiming for the stars. The lyrics reference the journeys of famous people – John Lennon to Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly to Greta Garbo – who have “clawed their way to the stars,” suggesting that they have had to fight for their success. The line “I think they knew” alludes to the idea that these famous figures were aware of the compromises they were making, and the cost of their fame.
The song also touches on the idea of selling out, as the singer expresses a lack of concern for who you are, just as long as you “sign the line” and “away you fly,” suggesting that anyone can make it if they’re willing to compromise their values. The lyrics “unexpectedly rejected” and “same excuses resurrected” suggest that the industry is selective, and that even if you’re willing to do what it takes, you may still not make it. The song ends with the line “take a chance and join the dance,” suggesting that even though the journey to success is challenging, it’s worth it, and that there’s a sense of camaraderie among those who are trying to make it.
Overall, “As High as You Can Go” is a poignant commentary on the struggles of those trying to make it in the entertainment industry. The song is a reminder that the pursuit of fame and success is often a rocky road, filled with difficult compromises and rejection, but in the end, it’s up to the individual to decide if the cost is worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
Out of tune boys, out of tune boys
We are not following the norm or societal expectations and are choosing to do things differently.
Signposts to the sun
Our path is leading us towards greatness, success or an achievement for which we strive.
Single file boys, single file boys
We are individually following our distinct path to achieve our goals and aspirations.
High as you can go
Strive as much as possible to achieve greatness or success.
Lennon to Munroe
We are talking about accomplished individuals who have reached great heights in their respective careers, referencing John Lennon and Marilyn Monroe.
Claw their way to the stars
They worked extremely hard to achieve their success, clawing their way to the top.
I think they knew
Those who achieved greatness knew what they wanted and relentlessly pursued their goals until they got them.
And I don't care who you are
We do not discriminate or judge people based on their background, race, or social status. We believe that anyone can achieve greatness if they set their mind to it.
Just sign the line
Commit to the journey and sign up for the hard work and dedication required to achieve your goals.
And away you fly
Once you commit, the possibilities are endless, and you can soar to great heights of success.
Unexpectedly rejected
Despite our best intentions and hard work, rejection can happen,even to the most accomplished individuals.
Safety for the few
Success or great achievements are only possible for a chosen few as they take significant risks.
Same excuses resurrected
People often use the same old excuses to avoid taking risks or trying to achieve greatness.
None of them are true
Those excuses are just that, excuses, and not rooted in reality.
Grace Kelly to Garbo
Again, we reference successful individuals who achieved great success in their respective fields, in this case, the movie industry.
Take a chance and join the dance
We encourage individuals to take risks and commit fully to their goals, even if the path seems uncertain.
And you can make the sound
If you take that risk and commit fully, you can create something unique and achieve greatness, or make a name for yourself in your field.
And we can go to ground
Together, as a collective, we can achieve anything and celebrate our successes, going to ground (celebrating together).
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andrés Minaya
Out of tune boys, out of tune boys
Signposts to the sun
Single file boys, single file boys
Signposts to the sun
High as you can go, Lennon to Monroe
Clawed their way to the stars
High as you can go, Lennon to Monroe
Clawed their way to the stars
I think they knew
And I don't care who you are
Oh, sign the line and away you fly
Unexpectedly rejected
Safety for the few
Same excuses resurrected
None of them are true
High as you can go, Grace Kelly to Garbo
Clawed their way to the stars
High as you can go, Grace Kelly to Garbo
Clawed their way to the stars
I think they knew
No, I don't care who you are
Just sign the line and away you fly
Take a chance and join the dance
And you can make the sound
Take a chance and join the dance
And you can go to ground
Take a chance and join the dance
And you can make the sound
Take a chance and join the dance
And you can go to ground
Oh, go to ground
And I don't care who you are
Oh, turn around and away you fly
And away you fly
And I don't care who you are
No, I don't care who you are
dmcs92
"A song about selling your soul for fame and fortune, compromising oneself for the sake of your dreams. It came in the wake of CBS. They'd dangled a dream in front of us and when we wouldn't be what they wanted they dropped us. We weren't bothered though, we had each other" - Mark Burgess Forever The Chameleons!
DonnieDarko1
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Kyach Distent
Record labels all over!
DonnieDarko1
👍
DonnieDarko1
dmcs92
❤❤❤❤❤
GracefulNanami
One of my favorite songs from one of the best bands ever formed in the history of music. Thank you.
Todd Hiser
My favorite song from an amazing album. Will forever treasure their music
DEEP KSHORG
i love this band!!!!! sincere music!!!
colibri1
This song entered my head today out of nowhere, after not having heard it since probably its release in '83 or whenever. Don't know why. It made me remember, though, that when it did come out, my friends and I thought it sounded a lot like bands from a few years previous, like early Echo and the Bunnymen, early Teardrop Explodes, etc, that end-of-70s/early 80s, postpunk atmospheric stuff that some called a "psychedelic revival" at the time.
Jilligain
Wow do I love these guys so much!