Abacab

I sat and read these lyric after having sung them for years anf not really listened to myself. Its a song about a bloke taking advantage of other people women (obviously) but I think perhaps its sung from the position of either someone looking on or perhaps more indirectly, his conscience. References to lookin around for things like cracks in mirrors and what have you suggest paranoia which could relate to the conscience thing. - I always thought that the 'dont you think that by now' part was singing 'dont you think they'll find out'... anyway, yeah i think its a paranoid song regarding someone thats leading taken women on without having the same feelings for them that they perhaps have for him. -Maybe thats only the meaning you take if you can impose your own life onto it? were that the case then... good song!

A_B_A_C_A_B was a method used to remember the original sequence of the song when it was in it's embryonal state. "A" was the verse, "B" was the chorus, and "C" was the bridge. So the original version went verse, chorus, verse, bridge, verse, chorus. However that sequence was later changed, but the name stuck. I am almost sure the lyrics were Mike Rutherford's.

this is one of those songs I'll never stop listening to. It's such a brilliant pop song

Sections of songs are usually broken up by the musical themes running through the song, or even what key a particular section of a song is based in. The structure of the song is denoted by letters, and every time a new section is written, and if it sounds different (or if the chord structure is different) than prior sections, then it is assigned a new letter.

Originally, there were sections of the song ABACAB named A, B, and C. So, there would be a section A, then B, then A was repeated, then a new section named C, came, then sections A and B were repeated, closing the song. Down the line, the original song was re-worked, and the structure no longer followed that original order (ABACAB), but they liked the name so they kept it and incorporated it into the chorus.

You folks assuming a musical reference are correct. The title refers to the musical structure of the song. But what about the lyrics? I think it's Phil's answer to Peter's "Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging" in that people will respond to anything formuliac and familiar.

ABACAB is just the chord progression of the song

ok to clear up the title of the song, i bought the platinum hits collection and in the book they say that it is the musical structure, at one point while they were making the song it was A_B_A_C_A_B but eventually it changed to something else... as far as the meaning of the lyrics not sure yet :P

I think I have figured out this song. First ABACAB denotes the structure of the song...but the song is about having a hit song...see my edits below

Look up on the wall, there on the floor, (Posters of rock stars) Under the pillow, behind the door. (Posters, records, tape players) There's a crack in the mirror. (pictures of the rock star shoved in the frame of a mirror) Somewhere there's a hole in a window pane. (rocking out hard that something went through the window) Do you think I'm to blame? (rock and roll is to blame) Tell me, do you think I'm to blame? (rock and roll is to blame for kids bad behavior and may be a play on Ozzy's Suicide Solution lawsuit he had to go through)

(When we do it) you're never there. (when people rock out to your hit song) (When you show it) just stop and stare. (the first time you see someone rocking to your song it is weird) (Abacab) he's in anywhere.(the song is playing everywhere) (Abacab)

If you're wrappin' up the world (touring to support your hit) 'Cause you've taken someone else's girl, (rock stars always get the girl) When they turn on the pillow, (headphones?) Even when they answer the telephone, (hit songs have been used extensively as a way to answer the phone using the melody) Don't you think that by now... Tell me, don't you think that by now. (you have a hit(

(When we do it) you're never there. (see above) (When you show it) just stop and stare. (Abacab) he's in anywhere. (Abacab) doesn't really care. (after awhile your hit dies)

Do you want it? You got it. Now you know. (this is what it is like to have a hit song) Do you want it? You got it. Now you know.

It's an illusion. It's a game, (making hit music in the industry) Or reflection of someone else's name. (someone else may have written the song) When you wake in the morning, Wake and find you're covered in cellophane, ( CDs and cassettes used to be wrapped tightly with cellophane) Well, there's a hole in there somewhere. Yeah, there's a hole in there somewhere. Baby, there's a hole in there somewhere. ( there was a hole in the cellophane that you would put a pen or pencil into to rip the cellophane off) Now there's a hole in there somewhere. (it was always hard to find)

(When we do it) you're never there. (When you show it) you stop and stare. (see above) (Abacab) he's in anywhere. (Abacab)

Someone, help me out. Is Abacab a code name for something/someone? It seems like it could be the intuition that a person gets but doesn't understand, like when a person gets the feeling that they're not being told the truth. "If you're wrapping up the world 'Cos you've taken someone elses girl, When they turn on the pillow, Even when they answer the telephone, Don't you think that by now..." But I'm so not sure.

I'm not sure about the meaning of the song, but the word "Abacab" refers to the parts of the song. "B" representing Tony Banks's part, and "C" represents P.C, obviously.