Meaning of "Paradiso" by The Chameleons

The song "Paradiso" by The Chameleons appears to be a lament for a lost ideal. The lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia for a time long gone, a time of innocence and color before the world became corrupted and filled with emptiness. The singer reminisces about a time when eyes were full of life and hearts were warm, before being tainted by the arrival of strangers who brought deception and darkness. The reference to a place called Paradiso suggests a paradise that turned out to be a lie, with the color draining away and only ashes remaining. The repeated mention of colors throughout the lyrics could symbolize the loss of vibrancy and life in the world as corruption takes hold. The imagery of rattlesnakes, ghosts, and serpents adds to the sense of foreboding and decay. Overall, the song seems to speak to the disillusionment and loss of innocence in the face of external influences that lead to a world filled with lies and deceit.