Forbert signed a recording contract with Nemperor in 1978, and they released his debut album, Alive on Arrival, that same year. His song "Romeo's Tune", although "dedicated to the memory of Florence Ballard" on the sleeve of Forbert's second album Jackrabbit Slim (released in 1979), is not about Supremes singer Ballard who died in 1976. "Forbert admits that Ballard became a timely connection for "Romeo's Tune", written about a girl from Meridian. "That seemed like such bad news to me and such sad news. She wasn't really taken care of by the music business, which is not a new story". At around this time critics hailed Forbert as "The new Bob Dylan" because of a similar vocal timbre and thoughtful songwriting. The front cover of Jackrabbit Slim encourages such comparisons with its simplicity: a black and white photo of Steve Forbert playing a well-worn Martin acoustic guitar with a capo on it, his shirt tinted green. The record was recorded in Nashville and produced by John Simon who had worked with The Band.
After many successful years, Forbert sought out new inspiration and found it when he relocated to Nashville in 1985. Forbert's tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, Any Old Time, was nominated for a 2004 Grammy in the best traditional folk category. In 2006, he was inducted into the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame.
Recent albums include Strange Names & New Sensations (2007), The Place And The Time (2009), and Over With You (2012).
www.steveforbert.com
Oh Camille
Steve Forbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Long hours melt away in spider town
Sultry ev'nings, whisperin' windows
I sit and listen to the rain come down
Oh, Camille, read all about it in my letter
Oh, Camille
Dark, ugly pictures for my soul to see
Pale pianos leave me wond'rin'
"How go these nights of yours in Italy?"
Oh, Camille, read all about it in my letter
Oh, Camille
Took a walk down flights of stairs, I
Went out to wander where the rain has been
Saw a madman preachin' tombstones
I'm feelin' better 'bout the shape I'm in
Oh, Camille, read all about it in my letter
Oh, Camille
Ain't got no jokes to tell
Just lotsa books to read
Wild hearts an' traffic sounds
All poundin' ev'rywhere
It's electricity
It's flowin' into me
I am at home in here
These blues are right for me
The song Oh Camille by Steve Forbert tells the story of a man who is alone in his room on a rainy night in Italy. He speaks of burning candles and watching shadows, and how the long hours are melting away. He listens to the rain and the whispering windows, and wonders how the nights are in Italy. He then addresses a woman named Camille, telling her to read about his experiences in Italy in his letter.
As the lyrics go on, the man talks about how he saw howling wolves chasing deer and that it created ugly pictures for his soul to see. The pale pianos leave him wondering about the state of his soul. He mentions going for a walk and seeing a madman preaching to tombstones but ended up feeling better about himself. He then speaks about how even though he has no jokes to tell, he has lots of books to read, and how the wild hearts and traffic sounds are pounding everywhere, creating an electric feeling that flows into him. He ends by talking about how the blues are right for him and how he is at home in himself.
The lyrics of Oh Camille create an impactful imagery that transports the listener to a rainy night in Italy. The mention of burning candles, whispering windows, and howling wolves add a level of eeriness to the song. The phrase "spider town" emphasizes the solitude and loneliness of the singer. The mention of the madman preaching to tombstones creates a contrast between the man and the madman and gives the singer a feeling of superiority.
Line by Line Meaning
Burnin' candles, watchin' shadows
I am spending long lonely hours burning candles and observing the shadows it creates.
Long hours melt away in spider town
In these long, tedious hours, time seems to pass more slowly.
Sultry ev'nings, whisperin' windows
During quiet summer nights, I can hear my windows whispering softly.
I sit and listen to the rain come down
I sit and listen to the sound of falling raindrops.
Oh, Camille, read all about it in my letter
Camille, please read my letter which highlights the thoughts and emotions I cannot say to you in person.
Howlin' wolves out chasin' deer make
Wildlife scenes like wolves chasing down their prey paint dark and grotesque images in my mind.
Dark, ugly pictures for my soul to see
These dark and grotesque images sink deep into my soul, making me feel worse.
Pale pianos leave me wond'rin'
The sound of mournful pianos leaves me wondering about the state of my life.
"How go these nights of yours in Italy?"
I wonder how your days and nights are on the other side of the world in Italy.
Took a walk down flights of stairs, I
I took a walk down several sets of stairs in the building where I live.
Went out to wander where the rain has been
I went outside to explore the space where the rain has touched.
Saw a madman preachin' tombstones
I saw a crazy person preaching to a cemetery or grave markers.
I'm feelin' better 'bout the shape I'm in
Witnessing such an encounter makes me feel better about my life and mental state.
Ain't got no jokes to tell
I'm not in a jovial mood to entertain with jokes.
Just lotsa books to read
Currently, I have a plethora of books to read in my free time.
Wild hearts an' traffic sounds
The sound of bustling city streets is filled with wild hearts and the noise of passing cars.
All poundin' ev'rywhere
The sounds of the city reverberate with a palpable intensity.
It's electricity
The energy of the city is electric and invigorating.
It's flowin' into me
The vibrant energy of the city is permeating into me.
I am at home in here
I feel a sense of familiarity and comfort in the midst of the lively city.
These blues are right for me
The melancholic mood I am in feels just right at this moment.
Lyrics © DEMI MUSIC CORP. D/B/A LICHELLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: STEVE FORBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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