The Chameleons - Up the Down Escalator, 1983 Belgian TV HQ

The Chameleons 'Up the Down Escalator' filmed on November 12 1983 for Generation 80 Belgian TV programme, HQ version. The singer Mark Burgess continues touring worldwide today as Chameleons Vox. Lyrics below. More info: www.chameleonsv.com/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cha...
Lyrics:
Up the Down Escalator
The Chameleons
I'm gazing up at the faces staring blankly at me
I suppose it's just a sign of the times.
They tell me that tomorrow will never arrive
But I've seen it end a million times.
I lost my direction while dodging the flak
Give me a hint or something
If I could freeze time at the flick of a switch
I wouldn't hesitate
No!
There must be something wrong boys.
Obnoxious action, obnoxious results
From teachers who refuse to be taught.
Distorted pictures and dizzy dizzy people
Rush by me at the speed of though.
And sit at their tables and throw us the scraps
For Christs' sake leave us something
Now they can erase us at the flick of a switch
How long will it take
Now!
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 Christs' sake leave us something
Now they can erase you at the flick of a switch
How much longer must we wait
Now!
There must be something wrong boys
They're dragging me down
You either swim or you drown.
Songwriters: Dave Fielding / John Lever / Mark Burgess / Reginald Smithies
Up the Down Escalator lyrics © BMG Rights Management US, LLC

[@JLynch324]

I make a habit of playing this track at bars with jukeboxes. Every single time someone says “who is this. Its awesome”. Literally every single time.

[@pfg333]

A Manchester band that never got the credit they deserved.

[@johnplatt9518]

I know right! Kitchens of Distinction didn’t either.

[@thesound-chameleonman3580]

they are starting to NOW though... slowly building.

[@guegolionel5664]

There are the legend

[@methodicalmysticbutterflyi2669]

It's shocking!

[@fkat1666]

But many bands imitate the sound, looking at you Interpol

[@marcelogalarza6866]

Interpol,Editors,y demas clones...le deben tanto a the Chameleons

[@-sunstar9778]

The very best from Northern England. Unique, brilliant, ethereal sounds still as fresh today as in 1983. Absolutely gorgeous band! Great hair!

[@chefjeff1366]

i'm still high off of seeing the Chameleons live three weeks ago, which was one of the best concerts i've ever been to. i've been a fan for decades, and for my money they're just the best in their league. you say the words 'post-punk' and Mark Burgess and Reg Smithies are the first who come to mind! brilliant.

[@GazelyGaze]

I see they're still very busy gigging, including on with the March Violets coming up in the USA later in 2024.

[@ericlebrun1640]

Script of the bridge!! Masterpiece 👍

[@paulredding9844]

It's taken me 40 years but I will finally see them live tomorrow night. 07/02/22 Wedgewood Rooms.

[@GazelyGaze]

It's their 35th Anniversary tour, apparently. Great to see gigs back on after the past two years. Enjoy!

[@slvideo1]

Amazing band

[@gspd750]

One of the better gems from the 80's. LOVE the lyrics.

[@saturnoh3142]

best band ever

[@slooky14]

Love this band! no costumes, no dancing around like a fool, pure class

[@mariusmigdal]

sometimes image is necessary.these guys are not students or workers..😜🤑

[@chinchilla687]

You what???

[@adrewsona]

@@mariusmigdal And sometimes the music, the words and sounds, are more than enough to convey the triumph of substance over style.

[@mc_kublai]

@@adrewsona wish people would stop acting like you can't have substance AND style

[@adrewsona]

@@mc_kublai You can... and there is also substance in having "no" style - or rejecting conventional notions of style. I remember thinking Mark E Smith only needed a dog on a piece of string to go with the tins of beer in a carrier bag to complete the homeless "style" - I know that isn't what you meant, but it does pick out relative conception and rejection of "style". Substance, I guess, is open to the same criticism... Enid Blyton or Dostoevsky... yeah, that doesn't work...

[@peterwasylina718]

There must be something wrong boys. A great line in a great song.

[@desert.mantis]

Saw them play in NY back in the day. They were Killer. This song is a classic.

[@mikegleeson8733]

I love that they didn’t even bother plugging in their guitars for this. The Chameleons were no-bullshit and I admire them for that.

[@TheMusicalElitist]

It’s mimed….

[@thesoundlikechameleons2082]

NONE of it is live! pre - recorded.

[@davidcopson5800]

Even the drums weren't plugged in.

[@davidlaw7465]

Discovering this band way back in 1984 has turned out to be one of the high points in my musical listening trip over the years since. And here I am in 2023 and I still love them with a total passion. Every song they have ever done is a gem!

[@DarksideOFcollages]

One the best unknown band ever.

[@williambremner9022]

Fark me that’s good! How’d I miss these guys AND be a teen in the post-punk era?!?! Life in Canada…under a bloody rock. Damn this is a great track!😊😊😊😊😊

[@comicartin]

The chameleons and freur, two criminally underrated bands. They deserve so much more

[@jonwayment5496]

Got to see them Live tonight in Saltlake City Utah. At a small venue. They opened for Mission UK. Such a great show!

[@adrianabustamante2860]

Qué tema tan potente!! No quieres que termine !! ❤❤❤

[@Am0nM0nr0e]

When your band is so amazing you don't even have to plug in your gear😆

[@chrismclaughlin-gt7ix]

Always Will Love The Way John Lever Pounds That Tom Drum.

[@shades9179]

Up the down escalator is the story of my life. Absolutely love this song.

[@thesound-chameleonman3580]

Chatted with Dave Fielding recently.. lovely bloke.

[@jimm9051]

Great band. Saw them in 80's and few times last few years. Love them.

[@heatherg.9999]

Mark Burgess and the chameleons another great band from the uk..

[@jdsbeau1]

Julian Cope and Teardrop Explodes

[@thesound-chameleonman3580]

Great band, great people.

[@johncalvert1736]

The bad old times but oh so good!

[@stephenwaller7461]

This is an undescovered gem for me. Its pure 80s the best musical era ever. Will be searching for more Chamelions tracks to be sure.

[@mikeoittinen5623]

Some bands just love 🎭 performing and recording and purposely avoid certain commitments and opportunity costs that could easily take them on that path more traveled, the one to greater fame and riches, but they just don't want that. !!

[@billybuenafe7634]

just WOW...

[@thesoundlikechameleons2082]

A timeless classic by The Chameleons. Sadly, it is NOT live but the pre - recorded version from the lp.

[@elizabethbennet4791]

one of the best rock songs ever

[@lewisrogers5685]

Saw these in Northampton UK 6th July. Superb

[@Kahsquatch]

Great clip! Love the Chameleons!

[@ginesmacia3239]

The best song

[@MURMENLIFE]

I love this song.

[@manuelobando7132]

beatiful song😎

[@dennfett]

Not seen this one before, thank you

[@dergeneral_namur]

Back in Belgium in june 2023 (Arlon). 😎

[@johnnygavin3654]

Real music holy shit.

[@jt1929]

I don’t know if they’re New Romantics, Goth or what but this song kicks ass!!

[@traceybonds8794]

.. Post punk and alternate new romantic. Try Berlin bands.. 80,s were quite good..

[@HelpingHandAlias]

So young.😉 Playback is a hard thing to do.

[@GriefTourist]

They piss all over practically every other band ever

[@israelstp224]

Bandaza y temon!!!

[@zenarcade81]

That chord progression at 2:50! Come on!

[@ownagepwnagemaster]

YESS

[@saturnoh3142]

wooow

[@senklip69]

‘What are you synching about?’

[@RomyIlano]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@bananacar6118]

I think Interpol owes their sound to The Chameleons.

[@johnmavroudis2054]

Nailed it.

[@MD-ru5vs]

you are right, Interpol is not that original. They listened to bands like this.

[@mikegleeson8733]

They owe the Chameleons several million dollars if you ask me.

[@TheMusicalElitist]

@@MD-ru5vs Right and The Beatles and The Stones owed their sound to all the Blues artists before them. Moreover The Chameleons owed a lot of their sound to Bowie. Stop trolling.

[@thesoundlikechameleons2082]

​@@TheMusicalElitist😂

[@rinobisesto3705]

Almost 40...

[@thesoundlikechameleons2082]

Lip - synced. They are playing the Script of the bridge version! 😂

[@SpaceJockey805]

Guitars would sound better if they were plugged in, drums would sound better if they were mic’d up

[@GazelyGaze]

They usually do. In this case, they did it in a studio, mixed it down, mastered it, put it out. And played along to that recording, here.

[@manuelakopf2280]

😈

[@metalhos]

these playback shows... such an awful take on presenting the music of a band.

[@GazelyGaze]

Yeah, mainstream music shows are so often terrible! And sadly, hardly even exist at all any more.

[@metalhos]

@@GazelyGaze thank the biz, MTV & co for oversaturating the audience.