On this day 30 years ago the band Culture Club got its second Hot 100 no. 1 single in the form of "Karma Chameleon," probably still the group's most popular song. Although it's tough to one-up that reference to the color-changing reptiles, that lizard family has been mentioned in numerous tracks throughout the years.
Music Times wants to note that although many of the tracks use the term chameleon in a negative context-suggesting that someone changes colors to suit the situation-we appreciate this branch of the reptile kingdom and hope that performers will consider using "chameleon" in a more positive light in the future.
"Chameleon Boy" by Blue October (2006)
Are you a UK fan of the band Blue October? If so, you were blessed to receive this bonus track from the band's 2006 album Foiled. It, believe it or not, is a track about vocalist Justin Furstenfeld telling his lover that his life is a hot mess. Part of the problem is that he "changed colors for you" and shed his coat on top of that. A little emotive but we like that he referenced the lizard skin-shedding process as well.
"Words of A Chameleon" by Joe Budden (2012)
This quick-blast track off of Joe Budden's 2012 A Loose Quarter mixtape suggests that the emcee is a chameleon in the Mystique sense: The rapper discusses singing from the brain of Tupac Shakur and Biggie, and that's far from the most troublesome or grotesque perspective he offers on this track within its brief two minutes. Araabmuzik provides the beat.
"Chameleon" by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970)
Pendulum is not the most well-regarded of Creedence's discography (with the exception of "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?") and this variation on the chameleon theme doesn't help things out too much. The hook seems to imply that John Fogerty's lady constantly changes her colors/personality...but the verses suggest that the real trouble with their relationship is that they see different ways on every subject.
"Chameleon" by Elton John (1976)
Blue Moves is not one of the most well-regarded of Elton John's discography (with the exception of "Sorry Seems to Be The Hardest Word") but this variation of the chameleon theme does help things out a bit. It helps that John and Bernie Taupin don't confuse the purpose of the title nickname between the hook and verses, suggesting the subject is "the devil in disguise." Ah, but then the vocalist comes back and asks "do you really change me?" So is the chameleon in question the narrator or the former friend he's addressing? A clever play.
"Chameleon" by Embrace
This track from the English band Embrace never saw release on an album and its easy to see why: The group also struggles to use the term "chameleon" correctly with the narrative its telling. Danny McNamara suggest that "I'm a chameleon," followed by "I'm torn a billion different ways." Perhaps if he suggested he changed his persona to match said "ways," but he suggests more that he's indecisive versus adaptable. A better comparison might have been our cat, who has honest mental debates between eating chicken and human hair.
"Chameleon" by Mike Posner (2012)
We're hesitant to say that we've left the worst for last because at least Mike Posner has the lyrical sense to accurately make a "chameleon" reference. The hookup-of-the-night in the song seems to like both gold and platinum, which many rappers fail the issue of dressing to match the fancy jewelry they buy for lucky ladies. Posner refers to himself, correctly, as a chameleon for his ability to match her tastes regardless of what she's feeling. On the other hand, the rest of this track packs some truly awful lines such as "she got big boobs." We can't win.
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