Part of the whole Chameleons narrative is that they’re criminally underrated and unappreciated, even though the other part of the narrative is that they’re hugely influential. You can debate how both things can be true, but one think that is quantitatively true is that for a hugely influential band, they are not covered very much at all. Case in point, the anthemic “Up The Down Escalator” from their 1983 debut Script Of The Bridge is one of their finest moments, and yet the head count of alternate versions is nearly zero. We’ll get to those in a bit, for now, some various versions by the band, starting with the album version:

This 1982 performance at the Gallery Club in Manchester, captured on disc and video as Recorded Live At The Gallery Club Manchester, 18th December 1982 is probably the oldest available version, predating the album and single by a few months at least, even though the live album didn’t come out until 1996.

Despite being a single, there was no official video so this in-studio demo video by Martin Denning will have to suffice as far as seeing the young band in action goes:

This live performance was recorded for Belgian TV show Génération 80 on November 12, 1983:

And fast-forwarding almost 40 years, here’s the band playing it in October 2023 at The Danforth Music Hall in Toronto, supporting The Mission:

It’s hair-splitting to file this version by Chameleons Vox – Mark Burgess’ solo incarnation of the band, now put to bed as a band name with Reg Smithies permanently back in the fold, but newly assumed as his public name – as a cover, but whatever, I am. it was recorded in session for KEXP in September 2010.

And covers! Pernice Brothers made their name with sweet, orchestral folk pop but Joe Pernice never tried to hide his post-punk/New Wave roots – this b-side to The World Won’t End single 7:30, released in 2001, is a perfect example of him reinterpreting the song to fit his style while paying tribute to its perfection as a song, genre notwithstanding.

Arizona’s Bella Lune stayed on the straight and faithful in their contribution to the 2021 tribute album Stranger Times: A Tribute To The Chameleons:

The same goes for Nashville’s Palm Ghosts, who released their version as a standalone digital single last year.

And that’s it! Not even egregious TikTok versions. Or maybe there are, I refuse to look.