The False Contender
Camera Obscura Lyrics

The song "The False Contender" by Camera Obscura is a bittersweet reflection on a past relationship that has left the singer questioning her choices and hoping for a better future. The first verse talks about a love that became meaningless and disappointing despite the initial feelings they shared. The phrase "false contender" is a metaphor that suggests the lover was not a true competitor in the game of love. He might have seemed like a potential lover, but his lack of loyalty and empty promises made him an unworthy candidate. The second part of the verse acknowledges that the lover was going through a difficult time, maybe due to his inner conflict or personal struggles that eventually reflected in his appearance. He became thin, and the singer can see the sadness that he's trying to keep hidden.

In the chorus, the singer asks herself, "What will I do? Will it always be you?" indicating a feeling of resignation and hopelessness about the future state of their relationship. She wishes to move on and be free from a love that only brings her down. The second verse mentions a past memory where the couple was happy "under the Copper Beach." However, the memory is bittersweet because it is tainted by the lover's aggression, as he left a physical mark by biting the singer on the neck. The singer seems to have learned a valuable lesson from that painful experience, as she acknowledges that she has been taught well. The repetition of the chorus suggests that the singer's hope for a better future is still present despite the bitterness of the past.