It began in 2001 as a collaborative effort between Nina Persson (of The Cardigans) and Swedish singer, guitarist and songwriter Niclas Frisk (of Atomic Swing). The self-titled debut album A Camp was released later that year.
Persson and Frisk had recorded a collection of songs in 1998, but the project was suspended while they attended to other matters, including Persson's move to New York City with future-husband and fellow rocker Nathan Larson, an american film composer who had known some modest success in the 90s with his band Shudder To Think.
A second batch of recordings for the first A Camp record took place in Woodstock, New York, at the now-dufunct Bearsville studio. Work took place in a barn. Larson played bass. Kevin March (Dambuilders/ Shudder To Think/Guided By Voices) played drums.
The resultant album was released in 2001 in Europe, where it was a considerable success, and a significant hit in Scandinavia. The band toured extensively on the strength of the single I Can Buy You: the touring band included members of Soundtrack Of Our Lives as well as the above mentioned studio players. The album was awarded four Swedish Grammies.
In late 2007, NYC recording sessions included Joan Wasser, Nikolai Dunger, James Iha. The second album, Colonia, was released in January 2009.
A three-track EP named Covers, featuring interpretations of Pink Floyd's "Us And Them", David Bowie's "Boys Keep Swinging" and Grace Jones' "I've Done it Again", was released digitally in the United States on 9 June 2009 and in Europe on 16 June 2009.
Persson has continued to record and perform as a solo artist, and reunite with The Cardigans for occasional tours. There are not known to be any plans for further A Camp recordings.
I Signed the Line
A Camp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And don't come a knockin' or darken my door
We got a contract, devotion evermore
We're legally bonded in richness and in poor
I signed the line that was dotted
I like to end what I started
I signed the line and I realize
And bottles, they tend to run aground
Don't give me platinum to weigh down my wrist
I've got injunctions, so cease and desist
I've got a bottle, a ball and a chain
But you have the one thing of value that remains
I signed the line that was dotted
Oh, I like to end what I started
There's too much I need, I gotta plead insanity
So don't give me platinum, it just weighs me down
I signed the line and I realize
A lotta lies were written in letters
And bottles, they tend to run aground
The song "I Signed the Line" by A Camp is a song about the ending of a relationship, specifically one that was contractually bound. The opening lyrics indicate that the person singing does not want any more communication from the other party, whether it be letters or physical visits. They explain that there is a contract that they both signed, which binds them together whether they are rich or poor. The first verse suggests that although they both signed this contract, it may not have been the best decision.
The chorus then sheds light on the fact that the person singing is taking responsibility for signing the contract. They admit that they wanted to finish what they started and that they did not read the fine print. The second verse tells the other party not to offer them jewelry as they already have legal proceedings in place. It then goes on to explain that although the person singing is bound, they "have the one thing of value that remains", which is assumed to be their own freedom. They acknowledge that they signed the dotted line, but realize that there were lies and that bottles, which likely contain messages or letters, eventually "run aground."
Overall, the song suggests that the contractual relationship was not a good idea and that it led to the loss of freedom for one party. It also implies that both parties were not honest with each other, and that the person singing has come to regret their decision to sign the contract.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't send me letters in bottles anymore
Stop trying to communicate with me through indirect means like messages in bottles.
And don't come a knockin' or darken my door
Don't try to see me in person, I don't want to speak with you.
We got a contract, devotion evermore
We are legally bound to each other and must remain loyal to our agreement.
We're legally bonded in richness and in poor
Our contract holds us together regardless of financial status, whether we're rich or poor.
I signed the line that was dotted
I committed to our agreement by signing on the dotted line of the contract.
I like to end what I started
I take responsibility for following through with what I initiated.
A lotta lies were written in letters
Many dishonest things were said in our previous correspondence.
And bottles, they tend to run aground
Messages sent in bottles are unreliable and often lost or inaccurate.
Don't give me platinum to weigh down my wrist
Don't try to bribe me with material possessions.
I've got injunctions, so cease and desist
I have legal orders preventing you from continuing certain actions.
I've got a bottle, a ball and a chain
I feel trapped in a situation that is weighing me down.
But you have the one thing of value that remains
You still possess something important that I need.
There's too much I need, I gotta plead insanity
There are too many things I need to deal with, I feel overwhelmed and irrational.
So don't give me platinum, it just weighs me down
I don't want more material possessions, they only add to the burden I'm already carrying.
I signed the line and I realize
By committing to our contract, I came to understand something important.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: NATHAN PETER LARSON, NICLAS PATRIK FRISK, NINA PERSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Simone S.
I love the album Colonia, all the songs are beautiful and Ninna is amazing!
tanner1ie
Brilliant :) saw them in Dublin at the end of April and they were Brilliant,also. (I wouldn't mind a new Cardigans album, if Nina can manage it :))