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.
Spanish Horses
Aztec Camera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, hey, my Barcelonian
Such a gentle Jones running through my bones
Placa reial calls, it calls, it calls
It calls the night home
And then her eyes like Spanish horses
Danced as language died
As saddened skies descended on the night
We saw two ships set sail
And the lights danced on the water
They danced, they danced like Spanish horses
Trying to exercise, thought that daytime dies, race
Run and stumble, fall into dark
Feel the fire, see the spark
Then you fall, then you fall
So free and humble, you tumble
Into her eyes like Spanish horses
Danced as language died
They danced like Spanish horses
As saddened skies descended on the night
We saw two ships set sail
And the lights danced on the water
They danced, they danced like Spanish horses
You're born from bloody revolution
You're lost to simplicity and small solutions
So you burn when you're born
Then you burn, burn, burn, burn, burn
Burn, burn, burn, burn, burn, burn, burn, burn
The song "Spanish Horses" by Aztec Camera is about someone running through the streets of Barcelona, feeling the energy of the city and being overwhelmed by the beauty of the Placa Reial. The singer describes the feeling of trying to escape the mundane routine of everyday life and being lost in the chaos of the city. The lyrics talk about the way that the singer is seduced by a woman, whose eyes are described as dancing like Spanish horses, conveying sadness and an otherworldly energy. The singer feels free and alive in the presence of the woman and the energy of the city, but knows that the feeling is fleeting and temporary.
The lyrics evoke a feeling of restlessness and longing for something more, using energetic metaphors like running, stumbling, falling, and feeling the fire. The singer is looking for an escape from the monotony of daily life and finds it in the energy and excitement of the city, but knows that it cannot last forever. The line "burn, burn, burn, burn, burn" suggests a sense of urgency and a desire to seize the moment before it is too late.
Overall, "Spanish Horses" is a love song to Barcelona, celebrating the energy and vitality of the city and the way that it can make a person feel alive. The song encourages listeners to embrace the chaos and beauty of life, and to follow their passions and desires before it is too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Ran a red light, running lonely through Gaudi's soft confusion
Driving recklessly through the maze of winding streets in Barcelona.
Hey, hey, my Barcelonian
Addressing a person from Barcelona, Spain.
Such a gentle Jones running through my bones
A pleasant feeling that lingers within us.
Placa reial calls, it calls, it calls
The Placa Reial square in Barcelona is inviting us.
It calls the night home
The Placa Reial is a bustling place to be at night.
And then her eyes like Spanish horses
Her eyes are beautiful and wild like Spanish horses.
Danced as language died
Her eyes conveyed more than words ever could.
They danced like Spanish horses
Her eyes were full of life, like the Spanish horses.
As saddened skies descended on the night
As darkness fell over the city.
We saw two ships set sail
Watching two boats depart from the harbor.
And the lights danced on the water
The reflection of the lights on the water formed a dance.
They danced, they danced like Spanish horses
The motion of the lights resembled the movements of Spanish horses.
Trying to exercise, thought that daytime dies, race
Attempting to stay active during the day when it feels like time stands still.
Run and stumble, fall into dark
Tripping and falling into a pit of darkness.
Feel the fire, see the spark
Feeling passion and seeing inspiration.
Then you fall, then you fall
An inevitable loss of control, ultimately resulting in failure.
So free and humble, you tumble
Bouncing back from failure with newfound humility and freedom.
You're born from bloody revolution
A reference to Spain's violent history and its impact on the people who are born there.
You're lost to simplicity and small solutions
Life is simple in Spain, and people don't always have access to the solutions they need.
So you burn when you're born
Life is hard in Spain and people often struggle to survive from birth.
Then you burn, burn, burn, burn, burn
Enduring hardships and experiencing pain.
Burn, burn, burn, burn, burn, burn, burn, burn
Repeating the idea that life is difficult and full of struggle.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RODDY FRAME
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrTkeddo
RIP Victor Bailey who played the incredible bass on this track 👏
@elizabethbell4697
A gorgeous tune from 1992. Love this song so much.
@Laura4Cats
This guitar playing is incredible! Beautiful song, and equally beautiful video.
@NickFlores_Music
From a young age Roddy showed various interest in Spanish music, you can tell a lot by his riffs especially in Aztec cameras 2nd debut album knife from 1984.
@jhormigos
Awesome! ❤️
@sergioprudencio2808
So beautiful song...
@paligap1495
Roddy, with Ryuichi Sakamoto on Piano, and Victor Bailey on Electric Bass
@SorrentoShore
He is a genius
@chrissanchez2998
I saw Aztec camera in Chicago at the Cabaret Metro it was amazing
@keesvandenbos2016
Brilliant. Fond memories of Studio Bruxelles promoting this song.