There are at least four artists with this name
1. An indie pop band from… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least four artists with this name
1. An indie pop band from Scotland
2. A synthpop group from the United Kingdom
3. A hardcore punk band from the United States
4. An electronic music group from France

1. Camera Obscura is an indie pop band which formed in 1996 in Glasgow, Scotland. Currently the band consists of Tracyanne Campbell (vocals, guitar), Kenny McKeeve (guitar), Gavin Dunbar (bass) and Lee Thomson (drums). Keyboardist Carey Lander was a member of the band from 2002 until her death from bone cancer in 2015.

The band was formed in 1996 by Tracyanne Campbell, John Henderson, and Gavin Dunbar and released their debut album Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi in 2001. Camera Obscura released a second album, Underachievers Please Try Harder, the following year, and in September, 2005, the band started recording their next album, named Let's Get Out of This Country, with producer Jari Haapalainen. This album was released on June 06, 2006 and appeared high up in many critical lists of the 'best albums of 2006'.

In November 2008, the band announced that they have completed recording the follow-up to Let's Get Out of This Country, and that the new album would be released in 2009. In February 2009, it was announced that the band had signed to the label 4AD, who released their fourth album, called My Maudlin Career, on April 20, 2009.

http://www.camera-obscura.net/

2. Camera Obscura comprised Nigel James and Peter Oldroyd, and hailed from the UK. The band formed in 1982 and soldiered through record label hardships until 1987, when they went on indefinite hiatus.

‘Destitution’ and ‘Race in Athens’ became the duo’s first single on Small Wonder Records in the spring of 1983, followed by ‘Village of Stars’ b/w ‘Insect’ for the B-side, in London, at the Atmosphere studios on Wardour Street . These tracks were never released and sadly the masters have not survived.

Camera played live extensively at this time and they soldiered on into 1985 with a 4-piece line up (Gary Scargill and Rob Gospel were added) and the Quartet formed Paradise Now in ‘86. Nigel left in ‘87 and was replaced by Steve Wright from “Fiat Lux”. Sadly the band ended there. However, Camera Obscura never officially split up. In 2005, Nigel and Peter dusted off their old material and took to playing shows throughout Europe, finally releasing their lost classic Horizons of Suburbia. All recent Camera Obscura material has been released by German label Anna Louge Records.

http://www.annaloguerecords.com/releases.htm
http://clancamera.com/

3. Camera Obscura is not pulling any punches: they're out to rock you so hard you fall onto the dance floor. The band launches its aural attack using an arsenal comprised of Michelle Maskovich's squealing keyboards, Duane Pitre's mountains of guitar squiggle, William Lamb's thunderous drums, and Russell White's urgent-yet-muffled vocals. Like a dance party during a tornado watch, Camera Obscura throws caution and moderation out the window in favor of thrilling, adventurous sound combinations.

Camera Obscura formed in '98 in San Diego, incorporating members of The Shortwave Channel, The Interstate Ten, and Spanakorzo. The band self-released a seven-inch (now in its fourth pressing on Three One G Records) in October '98 and went on its first U.S. tour in January '99. More touring and recording followed, leading up to the release of their first full-length, 2000's To Change the Shape of an Envelope, on Troubleman Unlimited.

http://www.epitonic.com/index.jsp?refer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.epitonic.com%2Fartists%2Fcameraobscura.html

4. 1. Project active in 1982 from Die Form founder, Philippe Fichot. He released three cassettes under the moniker: "1 - "Terrains Vagues"", "2" and "3/Final Edition". Further information can be found here: http://www.discogs.com/artist/Camera+Obscura+%283%29

San Francisco Song
Camera Obscura Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

San Francisco song

( Keep it clean EP - 2004 )

You know I cannot stand your love for alcohol
You're such a tall man but you're looking kind of small
I'll send you movie stills to rid you of your ills
Because you're ill

Now you're finding out I'm hard to please
You'd better watch your mouth you'll bring a girl close to tears
I ripped up my lyric book, gave myself the blackest look
Black looks

You would think by now I wouldn't miss this place

It makes my poor legs weak and my sweet heart start to race
To race, yeah to race

Overall Meaning

The song "San Francisco Song" by Camera Obscura is about a person who is struggling to deal with their partner's drinking habits. The singer is frustrated with the way their partner's love for alcohol is affecting their relationship. Despite being tall, the partner looks small because they are losing themselves to their addiction. The singer tries to help their partner by sending them movie stills to cheer them up and make them forget their troubles. The partner, however, is finding it hard to please the singer and risks bringing her close to tears with their behavior.

The chorus of the song suggests that despite the turbulence in their relationship, the singer still has a soft spot for San Francisco. The city makes her heart race and weakens her legs, which suggests that it holds a special place in her heart. Overall, the song is a bittersweet reflection on the ups and downs of love and addiction.

Line by Line Meaning

You know I cannot stand your love for alcohol
I dislike the way you prioritize alcohol over everything else.

You're such a tall man but you're looking kind of small
Despite your height, you seem to be lacking confidence and courage.

I'll send you movie stills to rid you of your ills
I'll send you images from movies that might help you get over your problems.

Because you're ill
Because you're not well emotionally.

Now you're finding out I'm hard to please
You're realizing that it's difficult to make me happy.

You'd better watch your mouth you'll bring a girl close to tears
You should be careful with what you say, as it might make a girl cry.

I ripped up my lyric book, gave myself the blackest look
I destroyed my notebook with song lyrics and gave myself a stern, angry expression.

Black looks
An intense, severe expression on one's face.

You would think by now I wouldn't miss this place
Considering how many times I've been here, you'd expect me to not have any strong feelings towards it anymore.

It makes my poor legs weak and my sweet heart start to race
This place is so amazing that it makes my legs feel weak and my heart beat faster.

To race, yeah to race
To beat fast, to pump with excitement.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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