The Chameleons – Swamp Thing

"Swamp Thing" as written by and Mark/fielding Burgess....
I can already hear your tune
Calling me across the room
When the world and his wife are on my back again
Not enough pleasure, too much pain

When the world is too much with me
Please leave, just go away
I lose my mind completely
Please leave, just go now
In the side street something's moving
Look around, look around
All around you walls are tumbling down
Stop staring at the ground

I can practically see your face
And another revolutionary falls from grace
Hear the thunder in your brain
Not enough sunshine, too much rain

When the light of life has gone
No change for the meter
And then the king of spivs will come
Selling blood by the liter
When nothing's sacred anymore
When the demon's knocking on your door
You'll still be staring down at the floor

Not too many hours from this hour
So long
The storm comes
Or is it just another shower?

Picking up the pieces
Half alive in a nine-to-five
Vacant eyes
Is it any wonder?
For I must scream at the TV screen
Close your eyes

Now the world is too much with me
Please leave, just go away
Before I lose my mind completely
Just leave, please go now
Now nothing's sacred anymore
When the demon's breaking down your door
You'll still be staring down at the floor

Not too many hours from this hour
So long
The storm comes
Or is it just another shower?
Not too many hours from this hour
So long
Now the storm has come
Or is it just another shower?
Or is it just another shower?
Or is it just another shower?
Now the rain has come
Or is it just another shower?


Lyrics submitted by cate12305

"Swamp Thing" as written by John Lever David Fielding

Lyrics © SCHUBERT MUSIC PUBLISHING INC.

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Swamp Thing song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • +5
    General Comment:Notes by Mark - Definitely one of my favourites from everything we did. I'd had the chords of the chorus, which Dave had come up with, running around my head for some time and knew, when the time came, what I'd sing to it. John and Reg meanwhile, had jammed out what were to be the verses and, not knowing what to call it, had named it 'Swamp'. When it came to working it out I started singing over it and then suggested we switch to the chorus idea. It was one of the quickest songs we ever did. It was recorded some months earlier in London and remixed for the album. I was dissatisfied with my own voice and it was suggested I stop smoking for a couple of days. I did and didn't light up again for about a year. Lyrically I regard it as a true prophesy.:
    OneFleshon November 25, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Commenti think this song is about the need for the speaker to be alone, but the constant input from other people or issues (symbolized by the rain, showers, storm, etc.) won't let him get his thoughts together. his inability to think things through because of all the external forces coming at him is killing him/ driving him nuts.

    then again, i could be WAY off.
    chicananerdon May 29, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General CommentA song about being sick. Sick of empty/negative/full-of-shit people and their empty/negative/full-of-shit ways of living such as empty/negative/full-of-shit 9 to 5 jobs. He's telling them all "LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE AND WAKE UP"
    BrokenDickon September 08, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI think this is talking about someone who just wants to be left alone, and ignore everything going on around him. I see it as a call to action. Then again, it could be about someone with extreme social anxiety, who's reluctant to join the adult world of mundane jobs and such.
    Evil Edon January 08, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentAccording to Mark:

    "The original idea was taken from one of the first things we did together, demoed but never actually finished, entitled 'Dear Dead Days'. We re-worked it in rehearsals and came up with this. I start singing the original lines at the end of the song. We were struggling to kick start the song following the intro when John came up with the stabs, which I absolutely love. The lyrical idea was inspired by one of my all time favourite books 'Star Rover' by Jack London, which at that time I'd never heard of. It was the Producer Dave M Allen that gave it to me."

    monster36604on January 12, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General CommentPlease disregard the previous post. I meant to post that quote from Mark on "Soul In Isolation". Songmeanings.net really needs a way to retract posts. =)
    monster36604on January 12, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI'm fascinated with this song. I never listened to it, cause I hadnt liked the beginning. But now that I did holy shit. Im going to ask Mark in the next couple days what this song means..I have an idea, but Im not sure...I'll keep you guys posted :)
    TheMistresson July 04, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI can't believe TheMistress didn't like the beginning to this song. It's absolutely awesome. I agree, the singer is really wired, and needs a break. One of my favourite Chameleons songs, never tire of spiining it.
    JulyTeenon March 04, 2015   Link
  • 0
    General CommentApparently this has nothing to do with the DC Comics character, which makes me slightly sad.
    NoOneOnEarthon January 23, 2018   Link
  • 0
    My InterpretationI used to play this song incessantly when i was going on the up on my bipolar, so I think its about that.
    JulyTeenon November 06, 2019   Link

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