I Hate Camera
The Bird and the Bee Lyrics
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Pa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa
Pa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa
Pa, pa, pa, pa, pa
I put my hands up to my face
So hard for me to just embrace the land
The moment's gone and now I'm dry
And how the camera can reply
Cool babies and soft operations
Holding my hand, throwing coins in my cup
Twisting numbers and public relations
Tell me to sit there and just shut up
Don't, don't, don't take my, don't take my picture
Don't, don't, don't take my picture
I tried to give in everything
The games I played, the songs I sing
What do I do, do I provoke
Oh, how the camera has misspoke
Cool babies and soft operations
Hoping my hand, throwing coins in my cup
Twisting numbers and public relations
Tell me to sit there and just shut up
Don't, don't, don't take my, don't take my picture
Don't, don't, don't take my picture
Don't want you to take my picture
Don't want you to take my picture
Don't want you to take my picture (don't want you to take my picture)
Don't want you to take my picture (picture)
Cool babies and soft operations
Hoping my hand, throwing coins in my cup
Twisting numbers and public relations
Tell me to sit there and just shut up
Cool babies and soft operations (don't want you)
Holding my hand, throwing coins in my cup (to take my picture, picture)
Twisting numbers and public relations
Tell me to sit there and just shut up (picture)
The lyrics of "I Hate Camera" by The Bird and the Bee speak about the main singer's struggle with being in the public eye. It starts with the line "I put my hands up to my face" which shows the apprehension and desire to hide from cameras during photo shoots or public appearances. The next line "So hard for me to just embrace the land" conveys a lack of comfort in one's surroundings, perhaps due to a perceived lack of control over the situation. The singer then touches upon the feeling of inadequacy or failure when the perfect shot is missed, "The moment's gone and now I'm dry, and how the camera can reply."
The chorus emphasizes the three words "Don't take my picture," repeated twice, accompanied by the singer's echoing "don't." This repetition emphasizes the main message of the song, that the pressure of constantly being in the public eye can be overwhelming and invasive. The lines "What do I do, do I provoke, oh, how the camera has misspoke" show an almost accusatory tone towards the camera, as if it has the power to misrepresent the singer and their intentions. The song concludes with the repetition of "Cool babies and soft operations" which may refer to the superficiality of the music and entertainment industry where image is given more importance than the talent.
Line by Line Meaning
Pa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa
Repetitive sounds meant to indicate a sense of being lost or overwhelmed
I put my hands up to my face
Feeling vulnerable and protecting oneself from scrutiny
So hard for me to just embrace the land
Struggling to fully engage with the world around oneself
The moment's gone and now I'm dry
Feeling depleted and disconnected from experiences
And how the camera can reply
Commenting on the power imbalance between subject and photographer
Cool babies and soft operations
Sarcastic depiction of the commodification of art and entertainment
Holding my hand, throwing coins in my cup
Cynical portrayal of people's superficial support and charity
Twisting numbers and public relations
Referencing the manipulation and marketing of image
Tell me to sit there and just shut up
Feeling forced into a passive role while others control their image
Don't, don't, don't take my, don't take my picture
Repeating the plea to avoid having their image captured
I tried to give in everything
Feeling like they have given their all to be successful or appealing
The games I played, the songs I sing
Referencing the performance aspect of their career or persona
What do I do, do I provoke
Questioning their own responsibility and culpability in the situation
Oh, how the camera has misspoke
Reflecting on how their image has been manipulated or misrepresented
Don't want you to take my picture
Reiterating their desire to avoid having their image captured
Cool babies and soft operations (don't want you)
Continuing to mock the artifice and manipulation of the industry
Hoping my hand, throwing coins in my cup (to take my picture, picture)
Depicting the shallow and insincere support they receive
Twisting numbers and public relations
Repeating the condemnation of the inauthenticity of the industry
Tell me to sit there and just shut up (picture)
Feeling silenced and powerless in the face of external forces
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Inara George, Greg Kurstin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind