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.
The Belle of the Ball
Aztec Camera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're the belle of the ball
It's hard to fall
And sacrifice your status for a fool
But all your apparatus and your charm
Can never cool the still, still waters
Or warm the chilling air
When you're the belle of the ball
And your gown's a-shining
And your underlining all my thoughts
Why give yourself to he who has the lot?
I have something to declare
Sensing when to smile
It's like predicting miles...
You'll never know
To kiss and then caress
Could crease your party dress...
And spoil the show
So the belle of the ball
Will bow to protocol
Misfortune won't befall her she's the star
She'll glide into the night
Beneath her guiding light
She'll suffer every slight and heed the call
But it's alright, it's alright
She's the belle of the ball
The song Belle of the Ball by Aztec Camera is a reflection on social status and the burden of popularity. The opening line sets the tone of the song, describing the complexity of falling from a great height once someone has attained the status of being the belle of the ball. It becomes challenging to sacrifice this position for the sake of a relationship with a fool. The verse reflects the weight of the belle's charm and the limitations it has in affecting her inner peace. The still waters and chilling air are metaphors for the tranquillity and calmness of the soul that could often be absent despite being adored by the crowd.
The second verse takes a personal turn as the singer seems to address the belle, who has caught his fancy. He admires her shining gown and the underlining of his thoughts, which presumably refers to a desire to be with her. There's a poignant contrast in the lines "why give yourself to he who has the lot?" which calls out for rebellion against the ordinary norms of society. There's a sense of urgency in the declaration of something important, which could be a confession of unrequited attraction or advice against pursuing someone who doesn't deserve her.
The song's overall theme seems to be the pressure of conforming to societal expectations rather than following one's desires. The belle is portrayed as someone who is bound to follow her protocol and duty, regardless of what her heart desires. The chorus is a reassurance that she is still the belle of the ball, despite the sacrifices she has to make, and everything will be alright.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're the belle of the ball
When you're the most admired person in the room
It's hard to fall
It's difficult to make a mistake
And sacrifice your status for a fool
And lose your social standing for someone who may not be worth it
But all your apparatus and your charm
But even with all your gadgets and charm
Can never cool the still, still waters
You can never calm a situation that is tense and unchanging
Or warm the chilling air
Or make a cold environment feel friendly
And your gown's a-shining
And your dress is glittering
And your underlining all my thoughts
And you're dominating my thoughts
Why give yourself to he who has the lot?
Why give yourself to someone who already has everything?
I have something to declare
I have something to say
Sensing when to smile
Knowing when to smile
It's like predicting miles...
It's like anticipating what's coming next
You'll never know
You can never be sure
To kiss and then caress
To kiss and hold someone closely
Could crease your party dress...
Could wrinkle your dress and ruin your appearance
And spoil the show
And ruin the whole event
So the belle of the ball
So the most admired person in the room
Will bow to protocol
Will follow the traditional etiquette
Misfortune won't befall her she's the star
She won't experience any misfortune as she's the center of attention
She'll glide into the night
She'll move gracefully into the night
Beneath her guiding light
Guided by her own confidence and charisma
She'll suffer every slight and heed the call
She'll endure any insults and continue her role as the star
But it's alright, it's alright
But everything is okay, as this is what she signed up for
She's the belle of the ball
She's the most admired person in the room
Contributed by Sebastian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
24recommend
素晴らしい
When you're the belle of the ball
It's hard to fall
And sacrifice your status for a fool
But all your apparatus and your charm
Can never cool the still, still waters
Or warm the chilling air
When you're the belle of the ball
And your gown's a-shining
And you're underlining all my thoughts
Why give yourself to he who has the lot?
I have something to declare
Sensing when to smile
It's like predicting miles
You'll never know
To kiss and then caress
Could crease your party dress
And spoil the show
So the belle of the ball
Will bow to protocol
Misfortune won't befall her
She's the star
アルフ
輝いてた時代だったぜ、、
株式会社 地獄
こんなにいい曲なかなか無い
Quique Buxeda
Un disco 10 con una produccion de sakamoto impresionante. Buen equipo. Han pasado años de su lanzamiento y sigo escuchandolo. Adoro este disco. Seria uno de los que me llevaria a una isla
Stefano Caneschi
Beautiful album.. and this track move me deep.. it touches my heart..🙏
24recommend
素晴らしい
When you're the belle of the ball
It's hard to fall
And sacrifice your status for a fool
But all your apparatus and your charm
Can never cool the still, still waters
Or warm the chilling air
When you're the belle of the ball
And your gown's a-shining
And you're underlining all my thoughts
Why give yourself to he who has the lot?
I have something to declare
Sensing when to smile
It's like predicting miles
You'll never know
To kiss and then caress
Could crease your party dress
And spoil the show
So the belle of the ball
Will bow to protocol
Misfortune won't befall her
She's the star
アポピピ
は
たかみ
これ聴いていいと思ったら1stアルバムの「High Land Hard Rain」も聴いて欲しい
マジで傑作
gremmiehodad
Love this track!
輪島一秀
当時VHSのテープをもってレコード店に行き、店長にファイトクラブのバックミュージックを聴いてもらい直ぐこの曲を教えてくれて、このCDを購入した…思い出の話であります。このCDは今でも大切にCDラックに置いています🤓
めにきち
当時は現在みたいにネットが発達していなかったですもんね
店長GJです！