Frame later signed to Rough Trade. Aztec Camera's biggest hit was 1987's Somewhere In My Heart, which reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and is still a staple of FM radio. Frame duetted with one of his musical heroes, Mick Jones of The Clash, on his 1990 single Good Morning Britain, which showcased an overtly political streak that sometimes featured in his work. He also recorded with the Japanese composer, Ryuichi Sakamoto. Aztec Camera disbanded in 1996 after the release of their final album Frestonia.
Frame is now pursuing a solo career. His first solo album The North Star came out in 1998 and featured the single Reason For Living. There was a change of gear for 2002's Surf, an album of acoustic songs that attracted widespread critical acclaim and was generally seen as a return to Frame's best songwriting form. The track Small World was used as the theme music to the BBC TV comedy series, Early Doors. Frame also made his first-ever appearance at the Glastonbury Festival in 2003. Western Skies was released in May 2006. Two live releases followed, Live at Ronnie Scott's and Live in Osaka. His most recent release was Seven Dials, released on Edwyn Collins' AED in 2014.
Surf
Roddy Frame Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See her safely home tonight
The east-side squares've grown cold and loud
Since I lived there with the twilight crowd
The west end lights have lost their wow
Trail my thoughts, show me the way to the heart of her
I'm half-lost, wondering if I should follow
Sweet, slight arresting bright light smile
Peels back the layered big city style
And reveals me in the mystery of what her world could mean to me
She's an island girl
I'm lost at sea
When I was young the radio played just for me, it saved me
And now I don't want anyone who wants me, baby
Tuning out the darkness
Turning on the dawn
If life was like the songs, I'd surf across the curved horizon
and forget her and be gone
So I check my map for tiny signs
Of where she's at and where she's been
But it's made from scraps of stupid lines
From songs and scenes and magazines
It doesn't tell me what it means
Take her face out of the start of the day for me
I'm half crazed, wondering if I should follow
Or let it go
Can't get straight
Lost my way
I'm overcome by her spell
When I was young the radio played just for me, it saved me
And now I don't want anyone who wants me, baby
Tuning out the darkness
Turning on the dawn
If life was like the songs, I'd surf into the waves
and in a splash of silver she'd be gone
The song "Surf" by Roddy Frame tells the story of a man who is lost and searching for direction in his life. He longs to be guided by a woman who he believes is like a "grace-filled guiding light" that can help him find his way. Despite feeling lost, he is hesitant to follow her because he is unsure if it will lead him to where he truly wants to be. The song uses imagery of waves and surfing as a metaphor for the journey of life and the uncertainty that comes with it.
The lyrics suggest that the man is looking for something deeper than what he has experienced before, but he is also afraid of what he might discover. He is drawn to the woman's "sweet, slight arresting bright light smile" but is apprehensive about what it might mean for him. The song also touches on the power of music to shape our lives and the way we view the world. The man looks back on his youth and remembers how the radio saved him, but he is now searching for something more.
Overall, "Surf" is a contemplative and introspective song that explores themes of uncertainty, self-discovery, and the search for meaning in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Amazing, grace-filled guiding light
Referring to a girl who is like a bright light in a dark city, guiding the singer to his destination.
See her safely home tonight
The singer is hopeful of seeing the girl safely back home.
The east-side squares've grown cold and loud
The eastern part of the city where the singer lived previously has become cold and noisy.
Since I lived there with the twilight crowd
The singer used to be a part of the group of people who are active during the night.
The west end lights have lost their wow
The western part of the city where the singer is now is no longer exciting.
Trail my thoughts, show me the way to the heart of her
The singer wants to follow his mind and discover the true meaning of the girl's heart.
I'm half-lost, wondering if I should follow
The singer is undecided whether to follow his thoughts or not.
Or lay low
The singer is considering not taking any action and remaining passive.
Sweet, slight arresting bright light smile
The girl's smile is captivating and illuminating.
Peels back the layered big city style
The girl's smile reveals the true person beyond the layers of the city lifestyle.
And reveals me in the mystery of what her world could mean to me
The girl's world is something that the singer is still trying to decode, and it makes him curious.
She's an island girl
The girl is like an isolated island that the singer is trying to reach.
I'm lost at sea
The singer is feeling helpless like a person who has lost their bearings and is floating on the sea.
When I was young the radio played just for me, it saved me
The singer is nostalgic about the past when he would find solace in the songs played on the radio.
And now I don't want anyone who wants me, baby
The singer is not interested in anyone who expresses their interest in him.
Tuning out the darkness
The singer is blocking out his negative emotions.
Turning on the dawn
The singer is trying to change his attitude and mindset to be more optimistic.
If life was like the songs, I'd surf across the curved horizon
The singer wishes that life was as easy as the songs he used to listen to when he was young, where he could ride the waves of life with ease.
And forget her and be gone
The singer wants to forget about the girl and move on with his life.
So I check my map for tiny signs
The singer is trying to trace the girl's whereabouts and find clues about her.
Of where she's at and where she's been
The singer is curious about the places where the girl has been and where she is currently.
But it's made from scraps of stupid lines
The information on the map is unreliable as it is taken from random sources that cannot be trusted.
From songs and scenes and magazines
The singer has gathered information from different sources like songs, movies, and magazines.
It doesn't tell me what it means
The information cannot provide a clear picture of the girl and her life.
Take her face out of the start of the day for me
The singer wants to stop thinking about the girl and her influence on his day.
I'm half crazed, wondering if I should follow
The singer is confused about whether to pursue the girl or not.
Or let it go
The singer is considering dropping the matter and forgetting about the girl.
Can't get straight
The singer can't focus his thoughts and feelings.
Lost my way
The singer has lost his direction and purpose.
I'm overcome by her spell
The girl has a mysterious power over the singer's thoughts and emotions.
If life was like the songs, I'd surf into the waves
The singer wishes that life was like the romanticized songs where he could ride the waves with ease.
and in a splash of silver she'd be gone
The singer wants to forget about the girl and move on with his life.
Contributed by Owen R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Steven Hawkyard
Unbelievably touching and emotional, a truly beautiful song from a terrific album. Roddy has one of the finest voices that I have ever heard. RODDY if you are out there - you will make the world a better place if you pick up your guitar and tour again once it is safe to do so. You are sorely missed, and thank you for the magic and the music...
truthtrumpsdumbness
If you have ever truly loved - and have tried to save that love, in forlorn hope that change was possible, despite all of the evidence to the contrary, this is THE song - Magnificent, thoughtful lyrics, which reveal us all to be fools, when, in fact, we are just trying to be our best for someone else, who matters to us . Thanks for his post
simon bailey
Love it, what a great album, what a great singer/songwriter..Saw him live solo a couple of years ago..Thanks.
Chris Waywell
The best artists in the past 30 years in my opinion - I fell in love to his music and got married to his music and after 35 years together we still love his music.
John Keys
A much underrated singer songwriter,lovely voice and a beautiful song.
Richard Smith
This is such a beautiful song, and I love how it channels "The Carpenters" at points.
anatchuv
For me, Roddy Frame has the most beautiful voice on these islands.
Bob Speirs
this is just stunning
simon bailey
Lost the love of my life, now I truly know what this song means.........
Birdy L
So lovely, thanks for posting!