Jessica followed this up with an album of her own songs, The Camera Loves Me, with the Monochrome Set as backing band. The album, recorded in Chiswick, West London and produced by 1960s pop star Keith West, was released on el Records in 1988. Jessica’s sister Miranda contributed to the songwriting and backing vocals.
Jessica then left the music world to work in the City of London until 1993, when she was invited to make another record for the Japanese label Trattoria. Mondo was recorded with the Monochrome Set at Moat Studios, London, and this time was produced by Bid, who also duetted with Jessica on the song ‘Casanova ‘92’.
Later in 1993 Jessica recorded four new songs with el records artist Monty, two of which were written by Jessica and two by Monty. These were included on the cd re-release of The Camera Loves Me.
In the late 1990s Jessica learned the guitar and started writing songs again. She was joined by Peter Momtchiloff (formerly of Talulah Gosh, Heavenly, and Marine Research) on guitar and bass; in 2000 and 2001they recorded 22 songs at Shaw Sound in West London with Orson Presence from the Monochrome Set playing various keyboard instruments. Drums were provided first by Struan Robertson and then by Jim Kimberley. A four-track EP (‘Emmanuelle Béart’) was released on Matinee Recordings of Washington DC (now Santa Barbara) and a three-track 7” single (‘Sugar Mummy’) was released on Fortuna Pop! Records of London.
Early in 2002 the Would-be-goods’ third album, Brief Lives, appeared as a joint release by Matinee, Fortuna Pop, and P-Vine Records of Japan. By this time the Would-be-goods had played their first live shows in London: first with just Jessica on guitar and Peter on bass and guitar, and then with new member Debbie Green on drums and backing vocals. Debbie is a former member of the Headcoatees, the X-Men, and Baby Birkin; she has also played with Peter in the Family Way, Dutronc, and now the Speed of Sound.
Finally in summer 2002 the Would-be-goods’ line-up was completed by the addition of Lupe Nunez-Fernandez on bass and backing vocals. This line-up played several shows in London and visited the East Coast of America in autumn 2002. Late in 2002 they started recording songs for a fourth album, and this was finally completed early in 2004.The Morning After is released in August 2004 on Fortuna Pop! and Matinee.
The Camera Loves Me
Would-Be-Goods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They want my picture taken, so they send me round to you
Give us a smile and adjust to me
Another little butterfly stuck on the bling
The camera loves me
And you can't take your eyes off me
The camera loves me
And you can't take your eyes off me
The camera loves me
Another gin and tonic and I'm yours for sure
They never took my phototgraph like this before!
My single lens reflex is a little bit slow
I'll put another film and we'll give it a go
The camera loves me
And you can't take your eyes off me
The camera loves me ooh ooh
The camera loves me
And you can't take your eyes off me
The camera loves me
The camera never lies, but people do.
The camera loves me, yes it's true
But behind the camera
Behind the camera
There's you.
Goodness gracious!
Tell me who's to blame.
It really must be my fault for being so vain.
Now the session's over and it's time to go
Am I just another shot in your portfolio?
The camera loves me
And you can't take your eyes off me
The camera loves me ooh ooh
The camera loves me
And you can't take your eyes off me
The camera loves me
The camera never lies, but people do.
The camera loves me, yes it's true
But behind the camera
Behind the camera
There's you.
The song "The Camera Loves Me" by the band Would-Be-Goods explores the theme of superficiality and vanity in the world of fashion and photography. The lyrics of the song are directed towards a photographer, Mr. Beaton, who is being asked to take the picture of the singer. The song begins with the singer asking Mr. Beaton what they should do for the photograph, conveying their lack of confidence and uncertainty around the process. However, as the song progresses, the singer starts to get more comfortable, especially after having a gin and tonic. The singer sings about being a "little butterfly stuck on the bling" but embraces the camera's love for them, feeling validated and desired.
The singer reflects that the camera loves them but, in stark contrast, behind the camera, there's Mr. Beaton. The song ends on a rather melancholic note, with the singer questioning whether they are just another shot in Mr. Beaton's portfolio, revealing the emptiness and superficiality of the entire process. The lyrics touch on the idea of how things are not always as they seem, and how the camera's love is superficial, and it is the photographer who ultimately holds the power in such situations.
Overall, "The Camera Loves Me" is a thought-provoking song that addresses the shallowness and superficiality of the fashion and photography industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Mr. Beaton what shall I do?
I am in a bit of a predicament and require your advice, Mr. Beaton.
They want my picture taken, so they send me round to you
I have been sent to get my picture taken, so here I am!
Give us a smile and adjust to me
Please smile and adjust your posture a bit to get a good picture.
Another little butterfly stuck on the bling
I am another person seeking attention and validation through the camera.
The camera loves me
I am confident and photogenic, and the camera seems to love me.
And you can't take your eyes off me
I am so captivating in the camera lenses that you cannot stop looking at me.
Another gin and tonic and I'm yours for sure
A drink or two and I'll be even more cooperative to get the perfect shot.
They never took my phototgraph like this before!
This is a new and exciting experience for me, getting my picture taken in this way.
My single lens reflex is a little bit slow
This camera is taking a bit longer to take the picture than what I am used to.
I'll put another film and we'll give it a go
We'll try again with a fresh roll of film and see if we can get a better picture.
The camera never lies, but people do.
The camera captures the reality, but people often manipulate or present it differently.
But behind the camera
Although I may be the focus of the picture, there is always someone behind the lens.
There's you.
It is you, the photographer, who is capturing this moment and creating the image.
Goodness gracious!
An exclamation expressing surprise or disbelief.
Tell me who's to blame.
I am questioning who is at fault for this situation.
It really must be my fault for being so vain.
I am admitting that my vanity and desire for attention may be the cause of this predicament.
Now the session's over and it's time to go
The photoshoot is complete, and it's time for me to leave.
Am I just another shot in your portfolio?
I am questioning the photographer's motives and whether I am just another subject to add to their collection.
Contributed by Logan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@backdoortoheaven9933
That music makes me optimistic🌟
@alexandermendoza2028
POPtastico !
@deepindercheema4917
Fripp used to live in Beaton's house.
@drstevie
Still BRILL.
@kaanokada9214
steve hewitt
@stevemaktinyue
she got lucky, he's cute