[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Josh Joplin Group — Camera One
Album: Useful Music
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1255









Released: 2001
Length: 4:26
Plays (last 30 days): 0
The sandy-haired son of Hollywood
Lost his faith in all that's good
Closed the curtain, unplugged the clock
Hung his clothes on the shower rod
But he never got undressed
And, no, he never made a mess

It's funny how life turns out
The odds of faith in the face of doubt
Camera one closes in
The soundtrack starts, the scene begins

You're playing you now
You're playing you now
You're playing you now
You're playing you now
You're playing you now
Take a bow
Take a bow

The trophy wife of Palisades
Whose yearbook beauty never fades
Sits and watches the sea fold in
And wonders what might have been
If she could ever have her chance
Would she do it all again?

It's funny how life turns out
The odds of faith in the face of doubt
Camera one closes in
The soundtrack starts, the scene begins

You're playing you now (You're playing you now)
You're playing you now (You're playing you now)
You're playing you now (You're playing you now)
You're playing you now (You're playing you now)
You're playing you now
Take a bow
Take a bow

On the corner by a street
He sits in his lawn chair in the heat
Sightseers see what they want
He's selling star maps to the sun

The sandy-haired son of Hollywood
Lost his faith in all that's good
Closed the curtain, unplugged the clock
Hung his clothes on the shower rod
But he didn't get undressed
And, no, he didn't seem depressed

It's funny how life turns out
The odds of faith in the face of doubt
Camera one closes in
The soundtrack starts, the scene begins

You're playing you now (You're playing you now)
You're playing you now (You're playing you now)
You're playing you now (You're playing you now)
You're playing you now (You're playing you now)
You're playing you now (You're playing you now)
You're playing you now (You're playing you now)
You're playing you now (You're playing you now)
You're playing you now (You're playing you now)
You're playing you now (You're playing you now)
Take a bow
Take a bow
Take a bow
Take a bow
Comments (193)add comment
Haven't heard this one in years - a gem of a one-hit-wonder. So happy RP pulls out songs like this from the cellar every day. 
wow  this brings up heavy nostalgia from 2000!
It's actually pretty good for such a lame song.
Nice refreshment in 2022. Good old days when we didn't listen to shit.
 DrMacDaddy wrote:

To fully appreciate why some listeners love this song, you have to listen closely to the lyrics. For some, these speak volumes.

Yeah, the lyrics are pretty brutal. Good comments over on songmeanings.com.
c.


Camera one........................Camera two

Camera one, camera two - GIF - Imgur
Very nice. Threw me back a decade or so. 
 Voted most likely to sound like Psych Furs, Mirror Moves era
i like the crunchy guitar
To fully appreciate why some listeners love this song, you have to listen closely to the lyrics. For some, these speak volumes.
I can see why people here dislike it. Camera One would not pass the "50 listen" test.
But right now, 5 - 6 RP spins, it's more than engaging enough.  
this sounded a lot better to me when it came out. Bleagh.
..this one begs the question:  is it possible to channel someone who is not yet deceased?..

This song is marvelous...  love it...
 
The song was playing on the radio the year I met my wife. Obviously it gets a totally unbiased 10 from me. 
Still in love. 
 motorichi wrote:
R.E.M.'s impression of Psychedelic Furs...wait...i'm only 39th to notice.)

 

Bang on
Decent lyrics.
 motorichi wrote:
R.E.M.'s impression of Psychedelic Furs...wait...i'm only 39th to notice.)

 

Too funny. I was about to type the Richard Butler comparison, but knew if I scrolled down far enough...!
 Sasha2001 wrote:
Gin Blossoms anyone? Just kidding. The Gin Blossoms are way better.
 
well... they both kinda suck. mid-90's pop rock. bleh.
 moxieandmore wrote:
got me again
not REM 
 
LMAO ''DITTO' I logged in to see what REM Album this track was from....
Yeah, like others, I got fooled too, his voice is Michael Stipe-ish. But not the music, it's more standard and/or less eccentric then REM. 
got me again
not REM 
Nice!
 PA1749 wrote:

 
steventylersqa wrote:
I like the song, I thought it was REM at first, which is a compliment.
 

+1
 
+1

 
steventylersqa wrote:
I like the song, I thought it was REM at first, which is a compliment.
 

+1
Like some others, I thought it was the Psychedelic Furs.
I like the song, I thought it was REM at first, which is a compliment.
Sounds like Josh Joplin to me.
wow just read the comments all the snark, the thing is, yeah the roots are there there and it is perfection. {#Daisy}
Speaking of which, as I write, RP plays perfection and it sounds like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWv9sraaCVA
first listen ever. Godlike.
 Danimal174 wrote:

I don't get all of the Stipe comparisons. He sounds more like Matthew Sweet to me. It's funny, because I have a CD that has a bonus track of Josh performing one of his songs live, and a guy I used to work with at a music store argued with me that the song was actually REM (even though I have Josh's CD and knew it was his song). There must be something there, with so many people hearing it, but the only thing Josh and Michael Stipe have in common, in my opinion, is that they're both from Georgia.

Anyway, about this song...not the best on this CD. Solidly average. Check out some of his others, though.

 
His phrasing and high notes sound similar to those of Stipe.  I'm not saying he's ripping off the style - it's just the way he sings. I hear the Matthew Sweet similarity as well, but again, it's just the way he sings.

very nice power-pop, beautiful melody.
Sure, it doesn't sound unique; but, I still like it!

Gin Blossoms anyone?

Just kidding. The Gin Blossoms are way better.
R.E.M.'s impression of Psychedelic Furs...wait...i'm only 39th to notice.)

Why do i always think this is Bob mould.....anybody?
 Danimal174 wrote:

I don't get all of the Stipe comparisons. He sounds more like Matthew Sweet to me. It's funny, because I have a CD that has a bonus track of Josh performing one of his songs live, and a guy I used to work with at a music store argued with me that the song was actually REM (even though I have Josh's CD and knew it was his song). There must be something there, with so many people hearing it, but the only thing Josh and Michael Stipe have in common, in my opinion, is that they're both from Georgia.

Anyway, about this song...not the best on this CD. Solidly average. Check out some of his others, though.


 
I hear a lot of Richard Butler in this. Anyone else?

I haven't heard this in years!  I forgot how good it was.  Thanks to whomever uploaded this!
Have not heard since 2000 or so
I love this song! So many fond memories... {#Dance}
ho hum

I don't get all of the Stipe comparisons. He sounds more like Matthew Sweet to me. It's funny, because I have a CD that has a bonus track of Josh performing one of his songs live, and a guy I used to work with at a music store argued with me that the song was actually REM (even though I have Josh's CD and knew it was his song). There must be something there, with so many people hearing it, but the only thing Josh and Michael Stipe have in common, in my opinion, is that they're both from Georgia.

Anyway, about this song...not the best on this CD. Solidly average. Check out some of his others, though.


blerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrg.
 DarkStar wrote:
Fur's meet REM, not bad...
 
My sentiments exactly...

 On_The_Beach wrote:
Bee bop?   {#Drunk}
 
Teeny (be) bopper? {#Roflol}
 Guyeeno wrote:
This song sucks!  If I want to hear this crap I can just tune in to any FM bee bop station. 
 
Bee bop?   {#Drunk}
 Jared wrote:
This belongs on a show for teenagers, like the Hills or OC or whatever. Not here.
 
Yeah, it was.  I heard this years ago on an episode of "Scrubs."

Lamest REM impersonation I've ever heard.

This song sucks!  If I want to hear this crap I can just tune in to any FM bee bop station. 
This belongs on a show for teenagers, like the Hills or OC or whatever. Not here.
 mirland wrote:
This album contains two decent tracks. The rest is best left forgotten.
 
Five, IMHO:
Matter, Gravity, Here I Am, Undone, I've Changed.
My favorite is Undone, for those grim moods, though all the songs are rather grim.
This track is the one that I definitely DON'T listen to.


This album contains two decent tracks. The rest is best left forgotten.

 

 
The_Enemy wrote:  

Are you deaf? This sounds NOTHING like Josh Joplin.  This is Michael Stipe fronting the Gin Blossoms.

(Poor attempt at humour aside, I give this a 7.)
Love it! But I think this might have been when Stipe was with Del Amitri!
moves me
 The_Enemy wrote:
 rolland69 wrote:
Wow it seems that Josh sounds like everyone else. I thought it sounded like Josh Joplin.
 

Are you deaf? This sounds NOTHING like Josh Joplin.  This is Michael Stipe fronting the Gin Blossoms.

(Poor attempt at humour aside, I give this a 7.)

 

I agree.
Kinda corny... But I like it.  It's heart-felt and it has an urgency.
I can't wait for this song to end it's medium weight late-eighties sounding rock. Oh good it just ended, and I've deleted it from my brain.
Sounds nothing like REM.  Self-centered tune about our image culture?

 rolland69 wrote:
Wow it seems that Josh sounds like everyone else. I thought it sounded like Josh Joplin.
 

Are you deaf? This sounds NOTHING like Josh Joplin.  This is Michael Stipe fronting the Gin Blossoms.

(Poor attempt at humour aside, I give this a 7.)

 Egrey wrote:
Oh Josh, you continue to suck.  That said, I still loves me RP.

 
yes. and yes.

Oh Josh, you continue to suck.  That said, I still loves me RP.

Don't know much about this guy; pretty good song though.  That's why I listen here.
I assumed this was Matthew Sweet. Cool, though.
I was oddly drawn to this while also being repulsed by it. There was the Stipe thing I was diggin'; then something whined. {#Ask}

 rolland69 wrote:
Wow it seems that Josh sounds like everyone else. I thought it sounded like Josh Joplin.

This song was one of the montage songs on an early episode of Scrubs. A great source of music that is as eclectic as RP any day.

I think Zach and Josh went to school together but don't quote me.
  Wow!!  You know you are right - it does sound a lot like Josh Joplin!  Good call!


Wow it seems that Josh sounds like everyone else. I thought it sounded like Josh Joplin.

This song was one of the montage songs on an early episode of Scrubs. A great source of music that is as eclectic as RP any day.

I think Zach and Josh went to school together but don't quote me.


Funny... for a second I thought this was Gin Blossoms.
I always liked this one too.  Bought the album and liked the rest too.
Wow! haven't heard this one in a long time but I've always liked it. Yup, he does sound like the Michaels - Stipe and Penn both. Is the rest of the cd any good?
Been a while since I have heard this one...always liked it....
Such a great band but this is not one of their best songs. Almost every other song on "Useful Music" is better than Camera One. Also a GREAT band to see live!
RobRyan wrote:
Yup. I invariably think it's an R.E.M. song starting.
yeah, i thought it was REM until i looked!
Weak lyrics.
badean wrote:
Sounds more like Michael Stipe to me...
Yup. I invariably think it's an R.E.M. song starting.
The opening line told me all I need to know: contrived, contrived, contrived. Blech.
pacificbeth wrote:
kinda sounds like Michael Penn but with less distinct sound and lyrics aren't nearly as insightful as Penn's lyrics--at least this song isn't. I don't know about his other stuff.
Sounds more like Michael Stipe to me...
I'd like to hear more.
Haters. I like it. I don't listen to FM anymore, so I don't know what they play and it doesn't matter. FM played the Beatles, REM, and U2, but most people wouldn't say they sucked. I like what RP plays.
kinda sounds like Michael Penn but with less distinct sound and lyrics aren't nearly as insightful as Penn's lyrics--at least this song isn't. I don't know about his other stuff.
lmic wrote:
Ditto! I always thought it was REM (from their later, uh, weaker period. )
Quite.
kazuma wrote:
Catchy and bland. Cablandtchy.
Hmm, crappy bland and catchy. Crapblandtchy!
Hinkamp wrote:
cheeeese
cheese with a side of hokie trite pudding
Stop tearing it apart...we all have influences..it's a fun song with a great chorus....nuff said
cheeeese
zoom out, focus out, star wipe aaaannnnd roll credits
RADIO PARADISE FM HUH?
I like it. So there!!!!
I like the song, except that it sounds like a hundred other post-grunge songs.
federico wrote:
this MUST be a REM song!
Ditto! I always thought it was REM (from their later, uh, weaker period. )
The only redeeming quality of this song is that it breaks the horrible, mind-numbing monotony of Choctaw Bingo. Sorry--I must be in a bad mood today.
kazuma wrote:
Catchy and bland. Cablandtchy.
That was hilarious!
kazuma wrote:
Catchy and bland. Cablandtchy.
Blatchy.
mafe wrote:
I could have swore it was that "I wish" song by Pearl Jam... Then it turned to Countring Crows. I hate bands that sound like other bands!!! Influence is not the same as plagiarism!!!
How are you sure that they'd ever heard of either band?
Imkirok wrote:
Serious let down after Choctaw Bingo. Then again, most anything that follows a song about trying to sleep with your two hot meth dealing redneck cousins is going to pale by comparison. :)
It's OK but it sounds like that other band
Sounds like so many bands before him. Lyrics are good though.
Like this song a lot.
Catchy and bland. Cablandtchy.
make it stop!
Only one word can describe this song and band....Poop!
Serious let down after Choctaw Bingo. Then again, most anything that follows a song about trying to sleep with your two hot meth dealing redneck cousins is going to pale by comparison. :)
Sounds too much like R.E.M. for my taste. Ish. But I'll give it a 2 instead of a 1 because it's not R.E.M.
DER DER DER DER...
The chorus sounds like the Furs.
Bleh.
ManchesterUK wrote:
Top song from my favorite comedy "SCRUBS".
Scrubs!!! I knew I'd heard it before.
DarkStar wrote:
Fur's meet REM, not bad...
Agreed
Reminds me of Gin Blossoms. Heh, I should pull that disc out solely for nostalgic purposes.
Top song from my favorite comedy "SCRUBS".
DarkStar wrote:
Fur's meet REM, not bad...
Crap meets crap, Nice
I could have swore it was that "I wish" song by Pearl Jam... Then it turned to Countring Crows. I hate bands that sound like other bands!!! Influence is not the same as plagiarism!!!
Fur's meet REM, not bad...
UltraNurd wrote:
I've heard this before, but I'm not sure where... perhaps in a movie or something? The chorus is very familiar.
I'm pretty sure this was used as theme music at some point on the TV show "Scrubs."
federico wrote:
this MUST be a REM song!
no kidding!
this MUST be a REM song!
Hmm, I thought the same thing. Must've been a movie. UltraNurd wrote:
I've heard this before, but I'm not sure where... perhaps in a movie or something? The chorus is very familiar.
rkbrownie wrote:
Sounds a lot like REM............hmmmm
REM without the emotional distance. Which is a good thing. (Eliminating the emotional distance, that is.)
I flipped to RP site thinking i'd see "Now Playing: Matthew Sweet"...
I've heard this before, but I'm not sure where... perhaps in a movie or something? The chorus is very familiar.