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.
Somewhere In My Heart
Aztec Camera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A baby being born to the overkill
Who cares what people say
We walk down love's motorway
A vision of love wearing boxing gloves
And singing hearts and flowers
Somewhere in my heart
There is a star that shines for you
Silver splits the blue
Love will see it through
And somewhere in my heart
There is the will to set you free
All you've got to be is true
A star above the city in the northern chill
A baby being born to the overkill
No say no place to go
A t.v. and a radio
A vision of love wearing boxing gloves
And singing hearts and flowers
Chorus
But who could heal
What's never been as one
And our hearts have been torn
Since the day we were born
Just like anyone
From Westwood to Hollywood
The one thing that's understood
Is that you can't buy time
But you can sell your soul
And the closest thing to heaven is to rock and roll
Chorus
The opening verse of Aztec Camera's song Somewhere In My Heart sets the scene in the middle of summer in an urban environment that is devoid of any breeze, where the blistering heat seems to have taken over. The next line talks about a baby being born to overkill. The phrase "overkill" here might be interpreted to mean excess or too much of something. The following lines, "Who cares what people say, We walk down love's motorway," suggests defiance in the face of social norms or traditions that try to control who should love whom. This may be a reference to the gay rights movement in the 1980s, which was still in its nascent stages during the time the song was penned.
The chorus talks about a star that shines for a loved one, and how the color silver splits the blue sky as though it's a metaphor for overcoming obstacles in life. Love will conquer everything and the will to set someone free is all that's required. The second verse talks of the baby being born to overkill again, indicating a world in turmoil. A vision of love, in boxing gloves and singing hearts and flowers, suggests a committed and dedicated love that is willing to fight and persevere to convey its message. The rest of the verse talks of a lack of place or home, further evoking a sense of rootlessness.
The lines "But who could heal, What's never been as one, And our hearts have been torn, Since the day we were born, Just like anyone" are a poignant insight into the human condition of longing to fix what's broken but being unable to. Finally, the lines from Westwood to Hollywood talk of how rock and roll can offer a glimpse into a moment of paradise or heaven, and how we need to make the most of our time. The song's lyrics call for embracing every moment of life, and pursuing love passionately, fighting through whatever obstacles there may be.
Line by Line Meaning
Summer in the city where the air is still
The first line of the song is setting the scene where the story takes place, in the city where it's summer and the air is still.
A baby being born to the overkill
There's a baby being born, but the world it's being born into is filled with excess and overindulgence.
Who cares what people say
The song is about a pair of lovers who don't care about the opinions of others around them.
We walk down love's motorway
The couple navigates their journey of love as if they are traveling down a highway.
A vision of love wearing boxing gloves
This line is describing the idea of love being tough and formidable, like a boxer wearing gloves.
And singing hearts and flowers
Despite the toughness, love is still caring and romantic, much like the expression, 'hearts and flowers.'
Somewhere in my heart
The singer is expressing that deep within him, he has a feeling for his lover.
There is a star that shines for you
The singer is saying that there's something special about his lover that he admires.
Silver splits the blue
This line is describing a beautiful scene where silver (perhaps moonlight) is separating the blue skies.
Love will see it through
Love will overcome any obstacle.
And somewhere in my heart
The singer reiterates that this feeling for his lover is within him.
There is the will to set you free
The singer wants his lover to feel free and have independence while still being in a relationship.
All you've got to be is true
The singer is asking his lover to be honest and genuine with him.
No say no place to go
This line describes a feeling of being lost and unsure of what to do in a particular situation.
A t.v. and a radio
Even though there seems to be no direction in this scenario, there are still the constant distractions of technology like a T.V. and radio.
But who could heal
The singer is recognizing that some things are too difficult to fix.
What's never been as one
Some things have never been united or altogether.
And our hearts have been torn
The singer is acknowledging that both him and his lover have experienced heartbreak and emotional pain.
Since the day we were born
This has been happening since birth, meaning that it's a lifelong journey of ups and downs.
Just like anyone
The singer is saying that this is a universal experience that anyone could relate to and that they aren't alone in their struggles.
From Westwood to Hollywood
From a city in Southern California to another city in Southern California, the two lovers share the same journey, a long way from home.
The one thing that's understood
In this romantic world of love and heartbreak, there is one thing both lovers have come to understand.
Is that you can't buy time
Time is too valuable and can't be bought with any amount of money.
But you can sell your soul
Even though time is so valuable, people are willing to give away their morals and beliefs to get ahead in life.
And the closest thing to heaven is to rock and roll
The singer is expressing that listening to rock and roll can bring a similar feeling to being in heaven, almost like a religious experience.
Chorus
This is the repeated chorus of the song that's already been explained above.
Lyrics © Regard Music
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jazzporridge1506
'"All you've got to be is true"
"You can't buy time
But you can sell your soul
And the closest thing to Heaven is to Rock and Roll"
I commend to all of you everything Mr Frame has ever composed
And thanks a million, Roddy.
@katieleblanc3557
If your still listening to this in 2023 you are a legend❤
@grahamcheesman2252
You are beautiful 🌹 😉 💚
@katieleblanc3557
@@grahamcheesman2252 ty
@grahamcheesman2252
@@katieleblanc3557 pleasure beautiful 😉 keep listening to great 80's music
@pr0bitcoin19
A child of the 80s Miss.
@albanocardoso4997
What about if in 2024? 😀
@boblancaster3826
I am 71 and still love this song it has everything, clear lyrics, lovely sax and guitar solos
@carolinesmith7390
That's awesome to hear 👍
@birgitmatzat472
Yes it is!
@brucepickess8097
I discovered this about three years ago after saying 80's music had lost something to me. Now it's on all my playlists, great guitar solo.