The band initially released three studio albums in the 1980s, to solid critical acclaim. After their third release, Strange Times, in 1987 they abruptly disbanded following the sudden death of band manager Tony Fletcher. The Chameleons were, for all practical purposes, extinct for well over a decade before releasing - to the delight and even disbelief of its ardently loyal fan base - a final studio album in 2001, entitled Why Call It Anything. The band quickly dissolved once again in 2003 due to personal differences, after a successful reunion tour which took them across Europe and the United States. Though having never attained the level of commercial success or fame enjoyed by their contemporaries (e.g. U2, Echo and the Bunnymen, Joy Division), The Chameleons' early impact can still be felt throughout much of popular music today.
Dave Fielding went on to form The Reegs who released a couple of ep's . Then in 2003 formed Coconut Dogfuck a trance techno dance act with Ralph on percussion, Paul Didge on didge and Dave playing guitar and dulcimer . They released an ep and played festivals and gigs around the uk . Andy Clegg Keyboards with the Chameleons also joind Mark and Andy Whittikar to form Sun and the Moon. Both Andys also played with Manchester Band B.F.G.
Pleasure and Pain
The Chameleons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Silence, sea and sky
Innocent as the child
Always asking why
I can take you there
I can show you
I can take you there
Hearing you when you call
Smiling as we climb
Oh, smiling crocodilic
As certainly as the sun
Bakes a Sahara day
Ancient as the hills
Crumbling into clay
I can take you there
I can show you
I can take you there
I'll be there gently catching you as you fall
Hearing you when you call
Smiling as we climb
Smiling as we climb
It's pleasure and pain
No loss, no gain
Pleasure and pain
Again and again
Pleasure and pain
I can take you there
I can show you
I can take you there
I'll be there
As you fall
This madness, this laughter
Outward feelings i can't control
Those coloured lights are leading me
Is it you?, is it me?
The Chameleons' song Pleasure and Pain is a poignant meditation on life's ups and downs. The lyrics of the song describe a peaceful scene - white cotton clouds, silence, sea and sky. The childlike innocence in the scene is emphasized by the line "always asking why." The singer then offers to take the listener to this serene place, and promises to "be there gently catching you as you fall…hearing you when you call…smiling as we climb."
However, the second verse introduces a different perspective. The scene is described as ancient as the hills, which are "crumbling into clay." The singer again offers to take the listener to this place of "pleasure and pain," but this time adds, "no loss, no gain…again and again." The song reaches a climax, expressing an intense feeling of uncontrolled emotions through the lines, "This madness, this laughter, outward feelings I can't control, those colored lights are leading me, is it you?, is it me?"
Overall, Pleasure and Pain evokes a feeling of uncertainty and duality. The song seems to suggest that life is a paradoxical mixture of pleasure and pain, and that we are sometimes at the mercy of forces we cannot control. Despite that, the singer offers a sense of comfort and companionship to the listener, encouraging them to face life's ups and downs together.
Line by Line Meaning
White as a cotton cloud
Pure and innocent like a soft cloud made of cotton
Silence, sea and sky
As tranquil and quiet as the sea and sky
Innocent as the child
As pure and naive as a child
Always asking why
Curious and eager to learn
I can take you there
I have the ability to guide you
I can show you
I can demonstrate and teach you
I'll be there gently catching you as you fall
I'll support you when you stumble or fail
Hearing you when you call
I will listen attentively when you need me
Smiling as we climb
Happiness and joy as we progress
Oh, smiling crocodilic
A deceitful or insincere smile
As certainly as the sun
As reliable and predictable as the sun rising every day
Bakes a Sahara day
Causes a hot and dry day in the desert
Ancient as the hills
As old and timeless as the mountains
Crumbling into clay
Deteriorating and breaking apart into soft earth
It's pleasure and pain
Life is a mix of enjoyable and difficult experiences
No loss, no gain
There is no reward without risk or sacrifice
Again and again
Repeating the cycle of pleasure and pain
This madness, this laughter
Uncontrollable emotions of irrationality and amusement
Outward feelings I can't control
Feelings that are expressed regardless of one's own control
Those coloured lights are leading me
Being influenced or guided by unknown or mysterious forces
Is it you?, is it me?
Uncertainty and confusion about the source of the influence
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andressawkey
The Chameleons
1
PLEASURE AND PAIN LYRICS
White as a cotton cloud
Silence, sea and sky
Innocent as the child
Always asking why
I can take you there
I can show you
I can take you there
I'll be there gently catching you as you fall
Hearing you when you call
Smiling as we climb
Oh, smiling crocodilic
Certainly as the sun
Bakes a Sahara day
Ancient as the hills
Crumbling into clay
I can take you there
I can show you
I can take you there
I'll be there gently catching you as you fall
Hearing you when you call
Smiling as we climb
Smiling as we climb
There's pleasure and pain
No loss, no gain
Pleasure and pain
Again and again
Pleasure and pain
I can take you there
I can show you
I can take you there
I'll be there
As you fall
This madness, this laughter
Outward feelings I can't control
This madness, this laughter
Outward feelings I can't control
Those coloured lights are leading me
Is it you, is it me?
Is it you, is it me?
@GriefTourist
I'd like to congratulate all Chameleons fans for their exquisite taste in music
@johncalvert3669
well thank you same to you
@caltiki7914
Thank you!!!!
@CaffeineNightOwl
thank you and dito.
@pinksunami
Very Sweet!! Thank you!!:))
@codedlAnguage
Where I s my prize ?
@jamesdeansghost5531
How is it even possible that Dave Fielding is not a known name when speaking of greatest post punk guitarists ever? How can genius like this go unmentioned.
@makirichi
So true brother. All my life I carry in my soul this album. Now in my sixties threshold and in paradise (Thailand and lost taste,smell and so on because Covid)
@haileysvomit
the greatest band ever to have emerged from the UK..mark is a genius...tunes will last for ever, amazing......
@Seven-_-Doves
The cure is #1 but chameleons a close 2nd