Part of the band is from South Africa while others come from the Southwest and the Northwest. They are called by their eccentric monikers (Goodweather, Hanigan), speak in a jargon of their own, and offer a fresh perspective to the time-honored craft of pop music. In a story too long to mention, this group of five met in the drizzly city of Seattle, Washington.
Campfire OK might be classified to some as indie-rock, Americana, or folk due to their use of brass, piano, banjo, and acoustic guitar, but they'd prefer not to be trapped in any box.
Hard Times
Campfire OK Lyrics
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Look me in the eye
Is it the pills or is this what you're like?
Come on
I'm not dumb, you see
More than a little and more than a lot
I'm confused
And these are
These are hard times
Yes, hard times
These are hard times
There are harder times to come, oh oh
Now, there's a residue
Left on my skin
It was left by a human girl
We're not happy still
I was the one who wanted it all
I wanted to fall with you
And these are
These are hard times
Yes, hard times
These are hard times
There are harder times to come, oh oh
The lyrics of Campfire OK's song Hard Times appear to be a conversation between two people struggling with addiction and the consequences that come with it. The first part of the song sees one person urging the other to be honest with them. "Look me in the eye," they say, "Is it the pills or is this what you're like?" It's possible that the other person is addicted to some kind of medication or drugs and is behaving differently as a result. The singer admits that they are "more than a little confused" and don't know what they have until it's gone.
The second verse adds more complexity to the situation. There is a "residue / left on my skin" that was left by a "human girl." It seems that there may have been a romantic relationship between the two people, but it has been tainted somehow. The singer still desires something real and authentic, but they also admit that they were the one who "wanted it all." They wanted to fall in love, but now they're in a difficult situation that they can't seem to escape from.
Overall, the song seems to be about the difficulties of addiction and how it can taint relationships and make it hard to find happiness. The title of the song is fitting as the lyrics suggest that these are hard times, but there may be even harder times to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on
Encouraging someone to speak their mind.
Look me in the eye
Asking the other person to be honest.
Is it the pills or is this what you're like?
Asking if their behavior is due to drugs or their true nature.
Come on
Repeating the encouragement to speak their mind.
I'm not dumb, you see
Asserting that they are not naive and can see through the other person's facade.
More than a little and more than a lot
Feeling more than just a little confused.
I'm confused
Admitting to being unsure and uncertain.
I don't know what I have till it's lost
Realizing the value of something only after losing it.
And these are
Introducing a description of the current situation.
These are hard times
Describing the current situation as difficult.
Yes, hard times
Reinforcing the assertion that times are hard.
These are hard times
Reiterating that the current situation is tough.
There are harder times to come, oh oh
Warning that things may get even more difficult in the future.
Now, there's a residue
Introducing a new situation.
Left on my skin
Describing the physical effects of the situation.
It was left by a human girl
Revealing the cause of the residue.
We're not happy still
Admitting that despite the situation, they are still not content.
I was the one who wanted it all
Admitting to wanting everything in the situation.
I wanted to fall with you
Describing the depth of their desire to be with the other person.
And these are
Introducing another description of the current situation.
These are hard times
Describing the current situation as tough once again.
Yes, hard times
Reinforcing the assertion that times are hard.
These are hard times
Reiterating that the current situation is difficult.
There are harder times to come, oh oh
Warning that things may get even more difficult in the future.
Contributed by Lauren H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.