"The title was one of Reg's suggestions for a nam… Read Full Bio ↴Mark Burgess says:
"The title was one of Reg's suggestions for a name for the band before we had one. The Up The Down Escalators. Fantastic guitars on that bridge. Two days non-stop listening to those drums in solo."
Up the Down Escalator
The Chameleons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, I suppose it's just a sign of the times
They tell me tomorrow will never arrive
But I've seen it end a million times
I lost my direction while dodging the flak
Oh give me a hint or something
If I could freeze time at the flick of a switch
I wouldn't hesitate
There must be something wrong boys
Yeah, there must be something wrong boys
Obnoxious actions, obnoxious results
Yeah, sensations still refuse to be taught
Distorted pictures and dizzy, dizzy people
Rush by me at the speed of thought
They sit at their tables and throw us the scraps
For Christ's sake leave me something
Now they can erase you at the flick of a switch
How long now must we wait?
Oh, there must be something wrong boys
Yeah, there must be something wrong boys
They're dragging me down
Eden. There's no Eden anyway.
They sit at their tables and throw us the scraps
For Christ's sake leave us something!
Now they can erase you at the flick of a switch
How long now will it take now?
There must be something wrong boys
There must be something wrong boys
They're dragging me down
And they're dragging me down
They're dragging me down
You either swim or you drown
The Chameleons' song Up the Down Escalator is a vivid depiction of the struggles and shortcomings of modern society. The lyrics describe a feeling of being stuck and unable to progress, represented by the image of trying to ascend an escalator that is moving downwards. The singer is constantly faced with the blank stares of people around him, who seem to have accepted the hopelessness of their situation. The chorus "there must be something wrong boys" expresses a sense of frustration and desperation, as if the singer is pleading for something to change.
The second verse contrasts the overwhelming sensory stimulation of modern life with the lack of meaningful sensations. People are consuming distorted images and experiences but are not learning anything from them. The narrative takes a darker turn as the lyrics describe those in power as sitting at their tables, throwing scraps to the masses. The use of "us" instead of "me" in this verse hints at a collective struggle that the singer is a part of. The line "for Christ's sake leave us something" adds a weary plea for basic human dignity.
The final lines of the song "you either swim or you drown" suggest that the only way out of this cycle is to take action, to either keep going no matter how difficult it is, or to succumb to the weight of the world. Overall, Up the Down Escalator is a poetic and introspective take on modern life, with lyrics that remain relevant decades after the song's release.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gazing at faces staring blankly at me
I am looking at empty, emotionless faces staring back at me.
Oh, I suppose it's just a sign of the times
I assume that the current circumstances are producing these faces.
They tell me tomorrow will never arrive
People are skeptical that the future has anything to offer.
But I've seen it end a million times
I've witnessed where everything goes wrong repeatedly.
I lost my direction while dodging the flak
I lost my way while avoiding problems.
Oh give me a hint or something
Please tell me what I am supposed to do in this situation.
If I could freeze time at the flick of a switch
If I had the power to pause time instantaneously.
I wouldn't hesitate
I would use it right away.
No
I am not exaggerating.
There must be something wrong boys
Something is not functioning correctly.
Yeah, there must be something wrong boys
Yes, it's conclusive that something is malfunctioning.
Obnoxious actions, obnoxious results
Be arrogant or rude and expect unpleasant outcomes.
Yeah, sensations still refuse to be taught
The feeling still stubbornly refuses to learn a lesson.
Distorted pictures and dizzy, dizzy people
Warped images and disoriented personnel passing me in rapid motion.
Rush by me at the speed of thought
Moving by me at a speed like a thought.
They sit at their tables and throw us the scraps
The authorities sit at their tables and give us the bare minimum.
For Christ's sake leave me something
At least leave something for me to have in the name of Christ.
Now they can erase you at the flick of a switch
In the blink of an eye, authorities now have the power to eliminate you.
How long now must we wait?
How much more waiting is required now?
Oh, there must be something wrong boys
Undoubtedly something is incorrect.
Yeah, there must be something wrong boys
Yes, it's final that something is malfunctioning.
They're dragging me down
They're bringing me down.
Eden. There's no Eden anyway.
Referring to the lack of paradise in the world.
They sit at their tables and throw us the scraps
The authorities dine comfortably as we receive scraps.
For Christ's sake leave us something!
Please leave us with something even in the name of Christ.
Now they can erase you at the flick of a switch
Now, they can erase all evidence of you at the click of a button.
How long now will it take now?
How much more time will it take now in the midst of all this?
There must be something wrong boys
Something must be off for all this to continue.
There must be something wrong boys
Without a doubt, something is amiss.
They're dragging me down
They're pulling me under.
And they're dragging me down
And they're still bringing me down.
They're dragging me down
They're pulling me under.
You either swim or you drown
Either adapt or get left behind.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kimberlysmiley316
The most underrated band in history...they are so good it is almost agonizing bliss to listen to.....Pleasure and Pain
@methodicalmysticbutterflyi2669
Ever!!!
@kenkovar2647
such a sweet song, halfway shoegaze and dream pop
@metaldetectorists76
Heard this old tune on Radcliffe and Maconie's excellent Six Music Show this morning. It really is an underrated gem...
@luisalejandromesav1599
@@kenkovar2647it's supposed to be post punk, but there you are. This is shoegaze even before shoegaze was invented.
@SuperShed7
Remember the day I walked in to a record store and bought the album (Vinyl) and the fact of waiting to get home on a subway looking at every inch of the album inside out was a treat and so excited when I finally got home and put this on my record player and then copying the whole album on a maxwell 90 min cassette to play on my walkman was amazing times and till this day the chameleons have been played daily and on my playlist!!!!At 58 yrs old with a mind of an 18th yr old thanks guys for getting me thru good and bad times
@kyburnses
The days when discovery was much more challenging and, I think, rewarding. I remember them as you do.
@Lilmonkmonk
Im a 90s kid, born in 83 but can still very much relate to this, beautiful x
@traceybonds8794
@kyburnses .. a lovely memory of marvellous music..
@johnkruszon5731
You're not alone and I got a few years on ya.