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.
Silent Night
A Camp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think
I need you now
To put me down
And help me lift me up
Your shaking bones
In my telephone
No good
Baby Brown
So you think you
Know me now
You tell me how
And show me everything
Your wandering mind
And your restless kind
I want you here
To make some sound
Oh, silent night
Oh, holy night
Baby Brown
Now you're more
Than you mean to be
You're mean to me
You take away from me
My shaking bones
In your telephone
Don't you hear
That sound
Oh, silent night
Oh, holy night
Oh, silent night
Oh, there's a hole
In the night
Oh, silent night
Oh, holy night
Oh, silent night
Oh, there's a hole
In the night
The song "Silent Night" by A Camp appears to be a breakup song with a hint of regret and desire for the person who has just left. The songwriter, Nina Persson, seems to be reaching out to "Baby Brown" in hopes of getting back together, but also acknowledges the fact that Brown may not be good for anyone. She mentions Brown's "shaking bones" which could symbolize their instability or disarray, and how they are "in my telephone" which could represent how Brown is ever-present in her mind.
As the song progresses, Persson seems to become more desperate for Brown's attention and affection. She acknowledges that Brown thinks they know her, but then begs to be shown everything. When she says "You take away from me" it could mean that Brown took from her emotionally, or perhaps she lost a sense of herself when she was with them. The repeating line "Oh, silent night, oh, holy night" almost acts like a prayer or a mantra for the writer, as if she's desperately wishing for a resolution or some sort of clarity. Finally, the song ends with the idea that there's a hole in the night, which could symbolize an empty or lonely feeling that Persson cannot shake.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby Brown
Refers to a person, likely a nickname for someone the singer knows
I think
The singer is unsure about something
I need you now
The singer needs Baby Brown's help
To put me down
The singer needs help dealing with something difficult
And help me lift me up
The singer needs help feeling better and getting back on their feet
Your shaking bones
Baby Brown seems nervous or uneasy
In my telephone
The singer is likely on the phone with Baby Brown
No good
Baby Brown's nerves are affecting the situation negatively
For anyone
This could mean that Baby Brown's behavior is generally unhelpful or harmful
So you think you
The singer is addressing Baby Brown
Know me now
Baby Brown thinks they understand the singer
You tell me how
Baby Brown is trying to explain something to the singer
And show me everything
Baby Brown is being very open and honest with the singer
Your wandering mind
Baby Brown seems to have trouble focusing
And your restless kind
Baby Brown is likely fidgety or uneasy
I want you here
The singer wants Baby Brown's presence
To make some sound
The singer wants Baby Brown to speak up or express themselves more
Oh, silent night
A reference to the Christmas carol, possibly used metaphorically
Oh, holy night
Another reference to the Christmas carol, possibly used metaphorically
Now you're more
Baby Brown seems to have changed or revealed something important
Than you mean to be
Baby Brown may have shared too much or gone too far in some way
You're mean to me
Baby Brown may be causing harm to the singer in some way
You take away from me
Baby Brown is somehow making the singer's situation worse
My shaking bones
The singer is anxious or frightened
In your telephone
The singer is likely still on the phone with Baby Brown
Don't you hear
The singer is asking for Baby Brown's attention
That sound
It's unclear what the singer is referring to, but it could be something metaphorical
Oh, there's a hole
A metaphorical reference to something missing or incomplete
In the night
Refers to the darkness or uncertainty of the situation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Nina Persson, Nicklas Frisk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Josh Brastad
Linkous was such an underrated producer--his arrangements here are so transfixing and just brilliant
mejor no
It took me a year to find this beautiful song, thank you :)