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.
My America
A Camp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm caught like a doe in your headlights
Oh yeah, alright, I'm yours to knock around
I'm a little too starstruck to wanna fight
Oo-e-oo-ee, it's a cold hearted world
oo-e-oo-ee-oo , I'm gonna be your girl
It's a little too late to cry
Not quite, snow white, it came down all night
And put a filter of ash on the sunrise
Oh yeah, alright, move a little bit closer
Lay your big dirty hands on my innocence
Oo-e-oo-ee, it's a cold hearted world
oo-e-oo-ee-oo , I'm gonna be your girl
It's just a little too late to cry
You're my America
Ooh, heaven laughs at us now, baby
But we'll be shootin' it down, honey
It's a little too late to hope and pray for a miracle
You're my America
Hey rockstar, you're my America
Hey rockstar, you're my America
You're my America, aah ha
The opening line of the song, "Darlin’, darlin', the moon went out tonight", sets a seductive and captivating tone that continues throughout the rest of “My America.” The next lines paint a picture of a helpless animal being caught in the headlights of a car, representing the singer's vulnerability and powerlessness in the face of the person she's singing to. The chorus, “oo-e-oo-ee, it’s a cold-hearted world, oo-e-oo-ee-oo, I’m gonna be your girl,” reveals the singer’s desperation to be with this person despite recognizing that the world is cold.
The second verse addresses the aftermath of a snowfall that laid a filter of ash on the sunrise, creating a desolate and gloomy landscape. The singer is willing to move closer to the person and let her innocence be taken away. The line, “You’re my America” symbolizes the idea of belonging to something or someone, even if that something/someone is flawed. The final chorus, “Hey rockstar, you’re my America” reinforces the devotion and admiration that the singer has for the person she's singing to.
Overall, “My America” is a love song that depicts a rather twisted and complicated relationship. It explores themes of vulnerability, powerlessness, desperation, and devotion, and paints a vivid picture of a woman hopelessly in love with someone she knows may not be good for her.
Line by Line Meaning
Darlin', darlin', the moon went out tonight
My lover, tonight the moon seems to have disappeared from the sky
And I'm caught like a doe in your headlights
I feel trapped and vulnerable, like a deer illuminated by car headlights
Oh yeah, alright, I'm yours to knock around
Yes, I agree and I'm willing to be treated roughly by you
I'm a little too starstruck to wanna fight
I'm so enamored with you that I don't have the desire to argue or disagree
Oo-e-oo-ee, it's a cold hearted world
The world can be cruel and unsympathetic
oo-e-oo-ee-oo , I'm gonna be your girl
Despite this, I've decided to commit to being your partner
It's a little too late to cry
It's past the point of crying or regretting my decision
You're my America
You are my everything, my home, my identity
Not quite, snow white, it came down all night
The snow that fell all night wasn't completely white
And put a filter of ash on the sunrise
The snow's color made the sunrise look darker, like it was covered by ash
Oh yeah, alright, move a little bit closer
Yes, I'm ready for more intimacy and connection. Come closer to me
Lay your big dirty hands on my innocence
Touch me, even though your hands might be rough or dirty, and take advantage of my lack of experience
Ooh, heaven laughs at us now, baby
The idea of our relationship is seen as ridiculous by others, perhaps even by a higher power
But we'll be shootin' it down, honey
However, we will be triumphant and prove everyone wrong
It's a little too late to hope and pray for a miracle
We've passed the point where we can rely on divine intervention to help us
You're my America
You are my country, my culture, and my way of life
Hey rockstar, you're my America
My beloved, you are my idol, my role model, and my guide
Hey rockstar, you're my America
My cherished one, you are everything to me
You're my America, aah ha
You mean the world to me, aah ha
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NATHAN PETER LARSON, NICLAS PATRIK FRISK, NINA PERSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shaun Geraghty
Love it, great voice, great choon, rock on Nina
gobtv
I never tire of listening to this.
Global Village
Fabulous and cannot wait to see them later in the year
PLASTICINEtm
Nina Persson, the cardigans singer...
Mysterious J
Good song but just not my type of song to cover. Thank You for this! 🤘
Ruben
My favorite!
robertaxe
Great!
Dave Benoit
hmm didnt realize that. she is great
jettbugg
great song....who is this?
jettbugg
...the lady singing, of course...