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.
Jump
Aztec Camera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, you got it tough, I've seen the toughest around
And I know, baby, just how you feel
You got to roll with the punches to get to what's real
Ah, can't you see me standing here?
I've got my back against the record machine
I ain't the worst that you've seen
Ah, you might as well jump
Well, you might as well jump
Go ahead, how old are you? Who said that?
Baby, how have you been?
You say you don't know
You don't know until we begin
But, can't you see me standing here?
I've got my back against the record machine
I ain't the worst that you've seen
Ah, don't you know what I mean?
Ah, you might as well jump
Well, you might as well jump
Go ahead and jump
You might as well jump
Go ahead and jump
Well, you might as well jump
Well, you might as well jump
Go ahead and jump
Go ahead and jump
"Jump" by Aztec Camera is a song that inspires people to take risks and make the most of every opportunity that presents itself. The lyrics encourage listeners to "jump" into new experiences and take chances because life is too short to be stagnant. The song opens with the singer acknowledging the challenges that life presents but emphasizes that one must roll with the punches to get to what's real. The singer encourages the listener to jump into life and not to be held back by fear, self-doubt, or naysayers.
The singer then questions the listener's hesitation and challenges them to take the plunge. The lines "Can't you see me standing here? I've got my back against the record machine. I ain't the worst you've seen. Ah, don't you know what I mean?" suggest that the singer has already jumped in and taken risks, and he is urging the listener to do the same. The chorus reinforces the message, and the repetition of "you might as well jump" is a call to action, encouraging the listener not to hold back but to seize the moment.
Overall, "Jump" is an empowering and motivating song that inspires listeners to step outside their comfort zone, take risks, and make the most of every opportunity. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody make it a feel-good anthem that encourages people to live life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
I get up and nothing gets me down
I'm always ready to take on the world, no matter what challenges come my way.
Oh, you got it tough, I've seen the toughest around
I understand that life can be hard, but trust me, I've seen much worse.
And I know, baby, just how you feel
I empathize with you and understand your struggles.
You got to roll with the punches to get to what's real
To find true success and happiness, you need to be able to handle setbacks and keep moving forward.
Ah, can't you see me standing here?
I'm here and ready to support you.
I've got my back against the record machine
I'm ready to face any obstacles head-on and give it my all.
I ain't the worst that you've seen
There are others out there who have faced much greater challenges and come out on top.
Ah, don't you know what I mean?
Do you understand the message that I'm trying to convey to you?
Ah, you might as well jump
Why not take a chance and go for it?
Go ahead, how old are you? Who said that?
Ignore what others may say about your ability or age. You can accomplish anything you set your mind to.
Baby, how have you been?
How are you doing? Let's catch up and talk about our lives.
You say you don't know
It's okay to feel uncertain or lost sometimes.
You don't know until we begin
The only way to find out is to try and see how things work out.
Go ahead and jump
Take a risk and try something new. You may find success.
You might as well jump
It's better to take a chance and fail than to never try at all.
Go ahead and jump
Don't be afraid to take a leap of faith.
Well, you might as well jump
There's nothing to lose by trying.
Well, you might as well jump
Why not take a chance?
Go ahead and jump
Don't hesitate, go for it.
Go ahead and jump
Take that risk and see where it leads you.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alex Van Halen, Edward Van Halen, David Roth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jennie B.
I get up and nothing gets me down
Oh, you got it tough, I've seen the toughest around
And I know, baby, just how you feel
You got to roll with the punches to get to what's real
Ah, can't you see me standing here?
I've got my back against the record machine
I ain't the worst that you've seen
Ah, don't you know what I mean?
Ah, you might as well jump
Well, you might as well jump
Go ahead, how old are you? Who said that?
Baby, how have you been?
You say you don't know
You don't know until we begin
But, can't you see me standing here?
I've got my back against the record machine
I ain't the…
gking854
Mid 80's, sitting in a nightclub sipping a cocktail and this song starts to play. I'm humming along and singing the song in my head all the while I'm wondering to myself why I know all of the words to a song I've never heard before. It wasn't until the third chorus that I realized it was a VH Jump cover. Brilliant version for sure. Bravo AC.
Jenn A
I heard this for the first time today - it was on the radio. I’m sitting at my desk singing along and wondering how the hell I know the words to a song I’d never heard bef- oooooooh, nice! I absolutely love this.
rande stuart
One of the best covers ever done by a band,it was the first time that I could hear the words clearly,and it made me respect the original more because of this cover.They [AC] made the song their own,they didn't just copy the original
CANDY&CO
I was thinking exactly this
The Fotogod
I think it’s one of the most brilliant covers ever done.
The way he made it sound so Blaise, like who cares.
Yanz BC
You got to roll with the punches to get to what's real.
Patrick Mawhinney
Well said.I've played this one a couple of times since yesterday.
Adinocc
I'm from an alternate dimension where this is the original and Van Halen's is the cover.
Justin Bieberlake
I friggin' love alternate dimensions. Except the one where girls are really boys. Never been there, only heard about it....
bunny fish
Brilliant cover,i never knew the lyrics were so good till i heard this version