Aztec Camera was a Scottish Indie pop/New Wave band from Glasgow.

Th… Read Full Bio ↴Aztec Camera was a Scottish Indie pop/New Wave band from Glasgow.

The line-up of the band changed several times over the years, but the constant member had been guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Roddy Frame. Founding members included Campbell Owens (bass) and Dave Mulholland (drums). Ex-Bluebells bassist Craig Gannon was a member from 1983 through 1985, before joining The Smiths. Guitarist Malcolm Ross (formerly of Josef K and Orange Juice) also joined in 1983, and appeared on the Knife album.

Aztec Camera first gained recognition as part of the Scottish post-punk scene along with bands like Orange Juice and Josef K, all of which released singles on the influential Glasgow-based label Postcard records. The band's first UK 7" single was released by Postcard in 1981, containing the songs "Just Like Gold" and "We Could Send Letters". The latter was included on the NME's C81 compilation, which pointed strongly towards the future C86 indie pop movement in the United Kingdom.

Though most commonly remembered generally as part of the 80s New Wave era, Aztec Camera has gone through numerous stylistic changes throughout their career, ranging from stripped-down, almost pastoral post-punk to slicker, more sophisticated pop rock as well as jazz and latin influenced acoustic ballads. As Roddy Frame's guitar playing has always been the signature of the band's music, guitar pop might be a more succinct description.

Aztec Camera's debut album, High Land, Hard Rain, was released in 1983. However, Owens and Mulholland left the group before the release, leaving Frame to complete the album alone. The album was quite successful, gathering significant critical acclaim for its well-crafted, multi-layered pop. The band went on to release a total of six albums, although most of these were essentially written and played by Frame. The albums included Knife (1984), Love (1987), Stray (1990), Dreamland (1993) and Frestonia (1995).

After the release of their sixth album, Frestonia, Frame finally dissolved the band to go solo.

Popular songs by Aztec Camera include "Oblivious", "Somewhere in My Heart", and "Good Morning Britain" (a duet with former Clash guitarist Mick Jones).

The group have also done cover versions of Blue Orchids "Bad Education", and a slowed-down version of Van Halen's Jump.

A 'Best of' collection was released in 1999.

Black Lucia
Aztec Camera Lyrics

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People say that all I do
Is talk about you
But that's not true
I talk about you
Think about you
Dream about you
Can't live without you
It's just not true.

I can almost feel the sunshine
When black lucia led the white parade
Let me always be the one who's left behind
When they desert you.

She's not your blue eyed girl
No diamond calling
She's a darkened sky
A crystal light
When the day runs dry
And the rain is falling
Black lucia led me into night.

I never thought that I could ever be the same
Until I met you
I thought my time had been arranged
Times have changed
Since you came
I miss you
I can almost feel the sunshine
When black lucia led the white parade
Let me always be the one who's left behind
When they desert you.

She's not your blue eyed girl
No diamond calling
She's a darkened sky
A crystal light
When the day runs dry

And rain is falling
Black lucia lead me into night.

Overall Meaning

In the song "Black Lucia" by Aztec Camera, the singer is talking about how much they think about and dream about someone they cannot live without. The singer insists that it's not true that all they do is talk about this person, but it's clear that this person is very important to them. The singer describes their connection to this person as being able to almost feel the sunshine when they think about them. The reference to Black Lucia leading the white parade suggests that Black Lucia is a guiding force in the singer's life, leading them towards brighter things.

The lyrics also describe Black Lucia as being someone who is not a traditional “blue-eyed girl” or a diamond calling. Instead, Black Lucia is portrayed as a darkened sky with a crystal light, a mysterious and enigmatic figure who draws the singer in. The singer speaks of how Black Lucia led them into the night, suggesting that Black Lucia has guided them in a perhaps unorthodox or unexpected direction.

Overall, "Black Lucia" is a song about the power of someone over another person, and the intense feelings and dreams that passion can elicit. It speaks to the desire to be led by someone who guides you towards your own inner light while exploring the complexities of such a connection.

Line by Line Meaning

People say that all I do
Some people claim that I only talk about you

Is talk about you
That's all they think I ever do

But that's not true
Their assumption is incorrect

I talk about you
I do talk about you

Think about you
You're on my mind

Dream about you
I even dream about you

Can't live without you
I need you to survive

It's just not true.
But I don't only talk about you

I can almost feel the sunshine
Thinking of you brings me warmth and happiness

When black lucia led the white parade
You led the way, guiding me through life's challenges

Let me always be the one who's left behind
I'll be there for you, even if everyone else has moved on