Burgess wrote this song in 1981 about the murder of John Lennon.

Mar… Read Full Bio ↴Burgess wrote this song in 1981 about the murder of John Lennon.

Mark Burgess says:

"First lyric I turned in for the band, inspired by the murder of John Lennon the previous year .. .The pipes there as Here Today ends is my favourite moment of the entire record, it’s a fluke they just happened to be in tune with the backing track."

Guitarist Reg Smithies says:

"We were big Beatles fans and this one’s about John Lennon’s death. I still remember now the shock of finding out he’d been killed."

Here Today
The Chameleons Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't know what happened
But somebody lost their mind tonight
Not sure what happened
But I don't think I got home tonight
And there's blood on my shirt

The clap of thunder
And I see my life go flashing by

The smell of sulphur
And I weep as I embrace the sky
I heard somebody scream

My chest is burning
I think someone set my soul alight
Don't know what happened
But I don't think I got home tonight
I wonder why
I wonder why

Ahhhh, there's madness here today
Ahhhh, I think I'll go away

Where is my wife?
Where is my wife?
I'm draining away
I'm draining away

(Draining away)
Here today

Overall Meaning

The Chameleons' Here Today is a song that delves into the confusion and loss of control that can arise from an unexpected and sudden event. The lyrics suggest that the singer has experienced something traumatic, possibly violent, as evidenced by the blood on their shirt. They are disoriented and unable to piece together what happened, leading to a feeling of unease and a sense of detachment from reality. The reference to thunder and sulfur adds a layer of mysticism to the experience, as if the event has otherworldly origins or consequences. In the chorus, the singer acknowledges the overwhelming feeling of madness and decides to distance themselves from it, seeking some sort of refuge. The repeated questions about the singer's wife and the sense of their identity slipping away further convey the sense of dislocation and distress.

The lyrics of Here Today offer a vivid portrayal of the aftermath of a violent or traumatic incident, capturing the confusion and despair that can follow such an event. The repetition of certain phrases ('Don't know what happened', 'I wonder why') adds to the sense of bewilderment and lack of control. The use of imagery, such as the smell of sulfur and the embrace of the sky, create a haunting and otherworldly atmosphere. The chorus, with its refrain of 'Ahhhh, there's madness here today, Ahhhh, I think I'll go away', suggests a need to escape from the overwhelming sense of chaos and confusion.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't know what happened
I am unsure of what just occurred

But somebody lost their mind tonight
Someone has completely lost their sense of reason tonight

Not sure what happened
I am still uncertain of what took place

But I don't think I got home tonight
I have a feeling that I did not make it home tonight

And there's blood on my shirt
There is visible blood on my shirt

The clap of thunder
I hear a loud clap of thunder

And I see my life go flashing by
As a result of the thunder, I experience the sensation of seeing my entire life rapidly going by

The smell of sulphur
I smell a strong, distinct odor similar to sulfur

And I weep as I embrace the sky
I begin to cry as I look up at the sky

I heard somebody scream
I am able to hear somebody yelling or screaming

My chest is burning
I am experiencing a painful sensation in my chest