"It was originally called ‘Films’ about the immor… Read Full Bio ↴Mark Burgess says:
"It was originally called ‘Films’ about the immortality of cinema, but then read a book called ‘Life After Life’ and it had a deep impact on me and I changed a lot of the words. Most of this was done on the mic ... I got into trouble with the studio owner after he read in Melody Maker that I’d referred to his studio as a toilet, but I meant it literally, I was actually singing it in the toilet to be a better vocal sound. Actually I'll tell you, the 'second skin' here referred to my second spliff of the evening."
Guitarist Reg Smithies says:
"This is my favourite song of ours. One of the simplest songs we did, but to me it’s perfect. It’s great to see how much it means to people when we play it live. Amazing lyrics as usual from Mark."
Second Skin
The Chameleons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The world stood still
I watched as I held my breath
A silhouette I thought I knew
Came through,someone spoke to me
Whispered in my ear
This fantasy's for you
My whole life flashed,before my eyes
I thought, what they say is true
I've shed my skin, and my disguise
And cold on the naked eye
Emerged from my cocoon
And a half-remembered tune played softly in my head
He said
He turns smiling
And says
I realize a miracle, is due
I dedicate this melody, to you
I realize a miracle, is due
I dedicate this melody, to you
But is this the stuff dreams are made of?
If this is the stuff dreams are made of
No wonder I feel like I'm floating on air
No wonder I feel like I'm floating on air
I realize a miracle,is due
I dedicate this melody, to you
But is this the stuff dreams are made of?
If this is the stuff dreams are made of
No wonder I feel like I'm floating on air
No wonder I feel like I'm floating on air
No wonder I feel like I'm floating on air
Everywhere
Oh, it feels like I'm everywhere
Like when you fail to make the connection,you know vital it is
Oh when something slips through your fingers you know precious it is
Oh and you reach the point when you know
It's only your second skin
It's only your second skin
(Something's banging on my door) like when you fail to make the connection,you know vital it is
(Someone's banging on my door) oh when something slips through your fingers you know precious it is
(Something's banging on my door) or reach the point when you know it's only your second skin
(Someone's banging on my door, something's banging on my door)
The lyrics to The Chameleons' song "Second Skin" express a feeling of transformation and liberation. The singer is taken aback by a silhouette that appears to them, and they are whispered to, "This fantasy's for you, fantasies are in this year."
The line "my whole life flashed before my eyes" is a common phrase that suggests impending danger or death, but here it's meant more positively as the singer sheds their old identity and emerges as something new. As they emerge from their "cocoon," a half-remembered tune plays in their head, and they feel like they're floating on air.
The dedication of the melody to the singer is significant, as it's a kind of acknowledgement of the transformation they've undergone. However, there is some ambiguity about whether this change is entirely positive, as the repeated line "but is this the stuff dreams are made of?" suggests a sense of unease or uncertainty. The final moments of the song are filled with urgency and uncertainty, as the singer feels like they're everywhere and someone or something is banging on their door.
Overall, "Second Skin" is a powerful and haunting exploration of personal transformation and the uncertainty that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
One cold damp evening
On a chilly and humid evening
The world stood still
Everything was calm and quiet
I watched as I held my breath
I observed anxiously while not breathing properly
A silhouette I thought I knew
A shadowy figure that seemed familiar
Came through, someone spoke to me
The figure approached me and someone uttered words to me
Whispered in my ear
Uttered softly near my ear
This fantasy's for you
This scenario is tailored for you
Fantasy's are in this year
Imaginative scenarios are popular this year
My whole life flashed, before my eyes
My entire existence appeared before me in a moment
I thought, what they say is true
I contemplated that the popular belief was accurate
I've shed my skin, and my disguise
I have discarded my former identity and façade
And cold on the naked eye
Harsh to perceive directly
Emerged from my cocoon
Freed myself from a restricted state
And a half-remembered tune played softly in my head
A partially recollected melody played softly in my mind
He said, he turns smiling
He mentioned, he rotates with a grin
I realize a miracle is due
I acknowledge a miracle's necessity
I dedicate this melody, to you
I assign this tune, specifically to you
But is this the stuff dreams are made of?
Is this the ideal matter dreams are made of?
If this is the stuff dreams are made of
If this is the perfect situation dreams are made of
No wonder I feel like I'm floating on air
It's not surprising that I feel like I'm weightlessly suspended
Everywhere
In all places
Oh, it feels like I'm everywhere
Oh, it seems like I'm omnipresent
Like when you fail to make the connection, you know vital it is
Similar to when you miss the association, you realize how crucial it is
Oh when something slips through your fingers you know precious it is
Oh when something eludes you, you comprehend how valuable it is
Oh and you reach the point when you know, it's only your second skin
Oh, and you attain the moment when you understand, it's just part of your nature
Something's banging on my door
A noise is hitting against my door
(Someone's banging on my door)
(An individual is hitting against my door)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Dave Fielding, John Lever, Mark Burgess, Reginald Smithies
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ankgu
One cold damp evening
The world stood still
I watched as I held my breath
A silhouette I thought I knew
Came through, someone spoke to me
Whispered in my ear
This fantasy's for you
Fantasy's are in this year
My whole life flashed, before my eyes
I thought, what they say is true
I've shed my skin, and my disguise
And cold on the naked eye
Emerged from my cocoon
And a half-remembered tune played softly in my head
He said
He turns smiling
And says
I realize a miracle, is due
I dedicate this melody, to you
I realize a miracle, is due
I dedicate this melody, to you
But is this the stuff dreams are made of?
If this is the stuff dreams are made of
No wonder I feel like I'm floating on air
No wonder I feel like I'm floating on air
I realize a miracle, is due
I dedicate this melody, to you
But is this the stuff dreams are made of?
If this is the stuff dreams are made of
No wonder I feel like I'm floating on air
No wonder I feel like I'm floating on air
No wonder I feel like I'm floating on air
Everywhere
Oh, it feels like I'm everywhere
Like when you fail to make the connection, you know vital it is
Oh when something slips through your fingers you know precious it is
Oh and you reach the point when you know
It's only your second skin
It's only your second skin
(Something's banging on my door) like when you fail to make the connection, you know vital it is
(Someone's banging on my door) oh when something slips through your fingers you know precious it is
(Something's banging on my door) or reach the point when you know it's only your second skin
(Someone's banging on my door, something's banging on my door)
@Maria-pb2jr
Anyone here 2023 to celebrate this underrated band??
@LemursManLemurs1
Aye! And hopefully, 2021 will feel like floating on air after last year. And this cd NEVER leaves the rotation (have a 6 cd selector in the car). Ocean Rain is another one that is always in there. The third being Slider by T Rex. 3 slots for rotating new stuff in is enough lol. Stay safe everyone.
@deviklovecraft3835
Absolutely ! Discovered them in the 80’s listening to college radio as a teenager in the deep south of the US.... the first song I heard was Swamp Thing. I went straight away and bought Strange Times and I’ve been a fan ever since. Sadly, I’ve never seen them live
@shanewebster3249
I dedicate this melody too you
@jonnathanopazohernandez7469
it's amazing!
@lucianaquiroga4405
🙋🏻♀️
@andrewcross2649
I bought this aged 18 , now I’m almost 57 and still listening….timeless quality.
@laendeavor
Goosebumpy music for sure
One of the greatest rocks bands ever
@elainegreen430
I was introduced to this music by a friend. He bought me the album for my birthday. It just gets better with each hearing.
@buney
Me too bro. We were so friggin lucky! You could be listening to Imagine Dragons.