In 1960, he started in music with Gibraltarian band 'The Diamond Boys', which had no real commercial success, but played a part in Spain's introduction to popular music.In 1966 Hammond co-founded the British vocal group The Family Dogg, scoring a UK Top 10 hit with "A Way of Life" in 1969. He is probably best known for his early 70s hits "It Never Rains In Southern California" and 'Free Electric Band' - but he went on to write countless hits for other artists such as Madonna and Leo Sayer. In 1987, Hammond's composition with Diane Warren "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" (recorded by Jefferson Starship) was nominated for an Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy. In 1988, Hammond won an Emmy Award for the song "One Moment in Time", a song he wrote along with John Bettis. In 2008, Hammond was inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is immortalised in song by Half Man Half Biscuit in their 1986 track "Albert Hammond Bootleg".
His son, Albert Hammond, Jr., is a guitarist in The Strokes.
More info: www.alberthammond.net
I'm a camera
Albert Hammond Lyrics
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Nocturnal man in a neon world
And I love my job 'cause it is so easy
I'm a picture-taking Romeo
Will you pose for me in my studio?
Won't you do the things that you know will please me?
I'm a camera with an eye
Put your face out there for the world to see
I'm a camera, very sensitive
And I want to develop your negative
All you got to do is relax with me
Let your hair down, girl, let me see you
Any way you move is a pretty view
And I love the way you expose your beauty
Turn your body 'round for a side shot
Black and white is fine and it's all I got
But I know your pictures will be so pretty
I'm a camera with an eye
To take your picture and make you famous
Put your face out there for the world to see
I'm a camera, very sensitive
And I want to develop your negative
All you got to do is relax with me
I'm a camera with an eye
To take your picture and make you famous
Put your face out there for the world to see
I'm a camera, very sensitive
And I want to develop your negative
All you got to do is relax with me
I'm a camera ... see the flash!
The lyrics of Albert Hammond's song "I'm a Camera" describe a photographer who is also a bit of a ladies' man. He seeks out new women to photograph every night and loves his job because it is so easy. He is a "picture-taking Romeo" who asks the women to pose for him in his studio, hoping they will do things that please him. The photographer describes himself as a camera with an eye to take pictures and make people famous. He promises to develop negatives and put their faces out for the world to see, all they have to do is relax with him.
The song is essentially about objectification and the power dynamic between the photographer and the women he photographs. The photographer is in control, asking the women to pose and do things that please him, while the women are reduced to objects to be photographed and potentially made famous. The lyrics also touch on the idea of beauty being subjective, with the photographer telling the women that "any way you move is a pretty view" and that he knows their pictures will be "so pretty."
Overall, Hammond's song "I'm a Camera" is a commentary on the objectification of women in the media and the power dynamic between the photographer and the subject. It highlights the idea of beauty being subjective and the potential consequences of seeking fame in a world where women's bodies are often treated as commodities.
Line by Line Meaning
Every night I look for a new girl
I search for a new person to take pictures of every night.
Nocturnal man in a neon world
I'm a night owl, living in a city filled with bright lights.
And I love my job 'cause it is so easy
I enjoy my work as a photographer because it's effortless.
I'm a picture-taking Romeo
I'm a romantic figure who takes pictures of people.
Will you pose for me in my studio?
Would you please model for me in my photography studio?
Won't you do the things that you know will please me?
Could you do what I want to create the perfect picture?
I'm a camera with an eye
As a photographer, I have the ability to capture images.
To take your picture and make you famous
I'll take your photo and share it with the world, and you'll become well-known.
Put your face out there for the world to see
Your picture will be displayed publicly so everyone can see it.
I'm a camera, very sensitive
I'm highly attentive to detail as a photographer.
And I want to develop your negative
I'm eager to work on producing the best possible photo from your shoot.
All you got to do is relax with me
Just be calm and comfortable while working with me.
Let your hair down, girl, let me see you
Don't be shy, be yourself and reveal who you really are to me.
Any way you move is a pretty view
No matter how you pose, you look beautiful and interesting to me.
And I love the way you expose your beauty
I enjoy how you unveil your inner beauty while I'm taking your pictures.
Turn your body 'round for a side shot
Please turn your body so I can capture a picture of your side profile.
Black and white is fine and it's all I got
I don't have many editing options, so a simple black and white photo will suffice.
But I know your pictures will be so pretty
I'm confident that your pictures will turn out captivating and aesthetically pleasing.
I'm a camera ... see the flash!
I'm ready to take your photo; get ready for the bright flash of my camera!
Contributed by Michael P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.