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.
Haywire
Aztec Camera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold it and we'll keep it clear
Just like a crush
I wonder when I feel your rush
Losing nothing but pride
I got game enough to go for a ride
And I'm riding like a buoy on a wave
Yes I'm searching for the one on a wave
'Cos I know it's no one I've ever met
So I'm leaving all my lessons today
Yes I'm throwing all my lessons away
'Cos it's one half open
It's one half shut
Like a life, like a knife
But the world wouldn't cut
It's like one mouth open
One mouth shut
A kiss I could miss
Like a kick in the gut
I just get haywire
Haywire
Par for the course
We've had it till I just got hoarse
From night down to day
It doesn't change with what I say
Ooh confidence why did you desert me then
When I could've kicked I snuggled up to think again
But I'm still on the make
When you give I have to take take take
And I'm riding like a buoy on a wave
And I'm learning all my lessons today
So let that voice be untamed
Let it cry and let some names be named
We'll be wired with the force of a wave
We'll be leaving with the force of a wave
It's like
"But how can I help it, if they break then they break
When my hands are untied they're entitled to shake"
It's like
I look to Leicester's left-it-lad
And the sickness was singing and the song it was sad
It should be haywire
Haywire
The song "Haywire" by Aztec Camera tells the story of a person who is searching for a special connection with someone. The lyrics describe the excitement and nervousness that comes with the possibility of finding love, but also the fear of disappointment. The person is willing to throw away their past lessons and take a chance on this connection, even though they know it may not work out. The chorus of the song, "It's like one mouth open, one mouth shut, a kiss I could miss like a kick in the gut, I just get haywire," expresses the confusion and mixed emotions that the person is feeling.
Throughout the song, the lyrics also touch on themes of confidence, vulnerability, and the uncertainty of relationships. The line "confidence why did you desert me then, when I could've kicked I snuggled up to think again" shows the contrast between the person's desire to take a risk and their moments of self-doubt. However, the chorus emphasizes that the person is still taking the chance, despite the potential for heartbreak.
Overall, "Haywire" is a song about the messy and unpredictable nature of human connection. It captures the excitement and uncertainty that comes with putting oneself out there and taking a chance on love.
Line by Line Meaning
The moment's here
The current time or opportunity has arrived
Hold it and we'll keep it clear
Let's keep this situation simple and free of complications
Just like a crush
Similar to an infatuation or attraction
I wonder when I feel your rush
I’m curious about the feeling you give me when we're together
Losing nothing but pride
I’m not risking anything important, just my ego or reputation
I got game enough to go for a ride
I have the skill or ability to take a chance on something new
And I’m riding like a buoy on a wave
I’m going with the flow or following the current
Yes I'm searching for the one on a wave
I’m looking for a particular person in a particular situation
But I'm cold as I'm wet
While I'm in this situation, I feel vulnerable and exposed
'Cos I know it's no one I've ever met
I’m confident that this person is new or unknown to me
So I'm leaving all my lessons today
I’m setting aside my previous experiences or knowledge for now
Yes I'm throwing all my lessons away
I’m ignoring what I’ve learned in the past and starting fresh
'Cos it's one half open
The situation is ambiguous or uncertain
It's one half shut
The situation is incomplete or unresolved
Like a life, like a knife
This situation is sharp and potentially dangerous
But the world wouldn't cut
Despite the apparent risk, the situation is safe or harmless
It's like one mouth open
The situation is capable of communicating or expressing
One mouth shut
The situation is unable to communicate or express
A kiss I could miss
This is a potentially romantic moment that I might pass up
Like a kick in the gut
This is a moment that could be painful or distressing
I just get haywire
I become overwhelmed or disorganized when faced with this situation
Par for the course
This is a typical or predictable result
We've had it till I just got hoarse
We’ve been through this before, to the point of exhaustion
From night down to day
This situation lasts all throughout the day, without relief
It doesn't change with what I say
My words or input have no effect on this situation
Ooh confidence why did you desert me then
I feel abandoned by my own self-assurance or courage
When I could've kicked I snuggled up to think again
Instead of being assertive, I retreated to reflect on my options
But I'm still on the make
I’m still pursuing something or someone actively
When you give I have to take take take
I’m taking advantage of a situation where I’m receiving favorable attention or assistance
And I'm riding like a buoy on a wave
I’m going with the flow or following the current
And I'm learning all my lessons today
I’m taking today as an opportunity to learn from my experiences
So let that voice be untamed
Allow yourself to speak or act freely and without restraint
Let it cry and let some names be named
Let your emotions or opinions be heard, even if it’s uncomfortable
We'll be wired with the force of a wave
We’ll be energized and driven by this situation
We'll be leaving with the force of a wave
We’ll leave this situation with a sense of momentum and courage
It's like 'But how can I help it, if they break then they break
I can’t control the outcome or consequences of this situation, no matter how much I intervene
When my hands are untied they're entitled to shake'
When I’m powerless or uninvolved, things may still go wrong
I look to Leicester's left-it-lad
I’m looking to someone or something for guidance or insight
And the sickness was singing and the song it was sad
Despite my hopes for a positive outcome, the result was disappointing or negative
It should be haywire
This situation is chaotic and unpredictable
Haywire
I’m overwhelmed or caught off guard by this situation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RODDY FRAME
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind