☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics tell the story of a young frightened soldier who is suddenly supported by a mysterious marine named 'Camouflage'.
- Despite the difficult and dangerous circumstances, Camouflage seems invulnerable and protects the young soldier.
- At the end of the song, the young soldier learns that Camouflage died the night before, suggesting the supernatural nature of his presence.
- The song uses 'Camouflage' as a symbol of the invisible, the unexpected, and the supernatural that can occur in times of war.
- The text emphasizes the bravery and selflessness of soldiers and conveys the hope that one is not alone in dangerous situations.
Interpretation
The song 'Camouflage' by
Stan Ridgway tells the story of a young soldier in the 1965 war who finds himself in a dangerous situation. The soldier is alone and afraid as his weapon is jammed and he can hear the enemy. Suddenly, a big marine whom the other soldiers call 'Camouflage' appears. Camouflage assures the young soldier that he is with him and will protect him. They fight side by side throughout the night and the young soldier notices that the bullets don't seem to harm Camouflage. The next day, they are lured into an ambush and the young soldier thinks the end has come. But Camouflage saves him by deflecting a bullet with his hand that has his name on it. Finally, Camouflage leads the young soldier out of danger. When the young soldier returns to his headquarters and tells about his night with Camouflage, he learns that Camouflage actually died the previous night. But before dying, he expressed the wish to save a young soldier's life. The song ends with the message that one is never alone in dangerous situations, as the spirit of Camouflage is always there to help and protect. The song showcases the bravery and selflessness of soldiers in war and the hope that no one is alone in difficult times. The title 'Camouflage' symbolically represents the invisible, the unexpected, and the supernatural that can occur in times of war.