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Camera Obscura — Tears for Affairs
Album: Let's Get Out of this Country
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1537









Released: 2006
Length: 3:54
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Shedding tears for affairs
I'm a funny little thing
I can tell you this for nothing
Affairs don't win

Can you handle one more dirty secret one more dirty night
Is it true what they say
Will it make us go blind

You had to drive
Look me in the eye
Whisper don't cry

I'll take an interest in Illustration
It should be a laugh
Your words are with me still
They whisper in the grass

Shedding tears for affairs
I'm a stupid little thing
I can tell you this for nothing
You won't win

You had to drive
(I didn't want to)
Look me in the eye
(I found it hard to)
Whisper don't cry
(I had to whisper don't cry)
So I cried
Comments (167)add comment
 sunybuny wrote:
Only in that OTR's music is based on the Appalachian music that came north from TN/KY to Cincinnati and that that region of TN/KY Appalachia was settled by Irish and Scots immigrants back in the 1700-1800's. So, yes, you might hear a little OTR in there.



Makes perfect sense, of course. Thanks!
 sunybuny wrote:
Only in that OTR's music is based on the Appalachian music that came north from TN/KY to Cincinnati and that that region of TN/KY Appalachia was settled by Irish and Scots immigrants back in the 1700-1800's. So, yes, you might hear a little OTR in there.



Ha, I just posted the same thing I'd forgotten posting previously!
Anybody hear Over the Rhine?
 bimmerfan739 wrote:

Do I detect a hint of Over-the-Rhine?

Only in that OTR's music is based on the Appalachian music that came north from TN/KY to Cincinnati and that that region of TN/KY Appalachia was settled by Irish and Scots immigrants back in the 1700-1800's. So, yes, you might hear a little OTR in there.

Do I detect a hint of Over-the-Rhine?
My good friend Jamie of the Doune the Rabbit Hole music festival has supported this band from way back modern times. 
The whole album is quite good, BTW...
How is that not Zooey Deschanel singing?
Reminds me of a Zooey Deschanel song from a She & Him album. 
Did I miss this in the early 1960s?
This is in the style of some early 1960s era songs. Very cool.
It’s your song girl, preach it loud and preach it strong❤️🙏
 forthbrdge wrote:
Love the cover art. Reminds me of the neighbor visiting Mrs. Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances. Broke more of the china I suppose...
 

"Bu-quet"
Sounds like  hit song from  another era .
 Red_Dragon wrote:
me likey....and I want some of the 'shrooms she's on in that album art.
 
T'was a combination of some very similar wallpaper and a certain breed of fungus that once kept me trapped in a friend's downstairs toilet for many, many hours.  (In reality, it was probably only 10 minutes, though.)

Watch out for the flowers, 'cos they're gonn a get you, yeah!
 tonyjory wrote:
Nobody mentions that Camera Obscura were "discovered" by the late, and sorely missed, English BBC Radio DJ, John Peel.
 
I bet that a reasonable percentage of this stations output could be traced back to John Peel.
 tonyjory wrote:
Nobody mentions that Camera Obscura were "discovered" by the late, and sorely missed, English BBC Radio DJ, John Peel.
 
John Peel's a C**t - Reading 1978
Nobody mentions that Camera Obscura were "discovered" by the late, and sorely missed, English BBC Radio DJ, John Peel.
Love the cover art. Reminds me of the neighbor visiting Mrs. Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances. Broke more of the china I suppose...
 Ferx wrote:
Nice tune! Belle and Sebastian-ish... {#Flamed}
 
Yes, it is; Stuart Murdoch from Belle and Sebastian produced their first album.  Nice Glasgow sound.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_Obscura_(band)
Wrong wiki link. Fun tho!
She's So Fine
My Sweet Lord
worth suing these amateurs?
One of the best!
Been much to long since this was last on Radio Paradise. One of my favorite Scottish bands.
All and all a really good album by Camera Obscura.   And the reference to Belle & Sebastian - I believe I bought their "The Life Pursuit" around the same time (although Amazon for some odd reason has its release date set at 2014?)

If you like this song, you'll probably like the whole CD.
Nice tune! Belle and Sebastian-ish... {#Flamed}
Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken is my favorite Camera Obscura cut. Like this one, it's upbeat and wistful in the same space.   
 hayduke2 wrote:
I'm flashing back in a positive way to a small apartment I had in north brooklyn with an accordian player as a neighbor, this sweet tune brings back hot summer nights, the accordian's way of lifting my mind out into the dark, past the street lights and street noise, the musings and longings for my late working Irish lover, coming home after 2, tired and hot and long limbed and ready for caressing and good sweaty lovin

 
I just sicked a little bit in my mouth...
Love it, sparingly.  Thanks RP.
Seems I used to hear this ages ago here, and I've always really liked this; has a wistful, bittersweet tinge along with brightness and light...
If you look at the larger album cover image, you'll notice that the woman has lovely blue eyes. I think she has a painkiller addiction to boot. 
 pinto wrote:
Reminds me of "It's My Party" by Lesley Gore
 
Thinking more of Jenny Lewis. 
 
 fedtho wrote:


I like this song... but I like your story even better... {#Cool}
 
Well thank you fedtho, Cheers!
and thanks to Camera Obscura
(now I forgot the 27" of snow I've been digging out of, and see my delicious sweaty Sheila with the auburn hair and jade green eyes!)
 hayduke2 wrote:
I'm flashing back in a positive way to a small apartment I had in north brooklyn with an accordian player as a neighbor, this sweet tune brings back hot summer nights, the accordian's way of lifting my mind out into the dark, past the street lights and street noise, the musings and longings for my late working Irish lover, coming home after 2, tired and hot and long limbed and ready for caressing and good sweaty lovin
 

I like this song... but I like your story even better... {#Cool}
 drsteevo wrote:

Just because you can't hear it doesn't mean it isn't there.
 
That is true, doctor; we all hear different things.
 Proclivities wrote:

Sorry, but this song sounds very little like either of those tunes.  There may be one or two phrases of a few notes, which vaguely resemble some moment of Bowie's song, but the overall melody and tempo are distinctly different.  Other than the fact that there is a young-sounding, female vocalist, it bears no resemblance to "It's My Party", except perhaps in its genre.
 
Just because you can't hear it doesn't mean it isn't there.
I'm flashing back in a positive way to a small apartment I had in north brooklyn with an accordian player as a neighbor, this sweet tune brings back hot summer nights, the accordian's way of lifting my mind out into the dark, past the street lights and street noise, the musings and longings for my late working Irish lover, coming home after 2, tired and hot and long limbed and ready for caressing and good sweaty lovin
 drsteevo wrote:
I like it, but the tune sounds a lot like David Bowie's Sound and Vision.

 
 pinto wrote:


Reminds me of "It's My Party" by Lesley Gore
 
Sorry, but this song sounds very little like either of those tunes.  There may be one or two phrases of a few notes, which vaguely resemble some moment of Bowie's song, but the overall melody and tempo are distinctly different.  Other than the fact that there is a young-sounding, female vocalist, it bears no resemblance to "It's My Party", except perhaps in its genre.
 pinto wrote:


Reminds me of "It's My Party" by Lesley Gore
 
Yes. That's it.
 drsteevo wrote:
I like it, but the tune sounds a lot like David Bowie's Sound and Vision.

 

Reminds me of "It's My Party" by Lesley Gore
I like it, but the tune sounds a lot like David Bowie's Sound and Vision.

I just can't match the voice to the face. Just doesn't work for me.
 osbyec wrote:
This one makes me think of She and Him (even though this came first).  Maybe Zooey Deschanel listens to Camera Obscura.

 
I just thought exactly the same thing!

See on hea.
 Orodrigues wrote:
My Sweet Lord, hum My Lord...
 
...for which George Harrison had to pay a fine for plagiarizing "He's So Fine".  It's a pretty standard, I - IV - V progression, which is the basis of thousands of songs.

My Sweet Lord, hum My Lord...

 lixy wrote:
Look at those eyes! The chick's been abducted by aliens. 
  
 
peter_james_bond wrote:

No, she's just horrified by that wallpaper.  ......Later back at the record company she says to the record exec., "Surely you are not going to use this pic for the album cover!?!"

Record Exec replies, "Yes, and don't call me Shirley."    ....that's all folks....
 
The soundtrack for that photo shoot:

"One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small
And the ones that mother gives you
Don't do anything at all..." 

Edit: Holy crap! Two minutes after I finish posting the lyrics, Bill starts playing an Emiliana Torrini cover of "White Rabbit"! Dude, it's a harmonic convergence! 
Love this song.
Catchy vocals, and I love the swingy beat.  Good schtuff! {#Bounce}
This one makes me think of She and Him (even though this came first).  Maybe Zooey Deschanel listens to Camera Obscura.

now that it's out of heavy rotation, I'm actually humming along instead of grating my teeth.  2 {#Arrow} 5
This song grabbed me the first time I heard it on RP many years ago. Time only makes it better. {#Bounce}
Nice...
Fantastic song and a solid band, underrated!{#Clap}
Catherine Merridale (same pose; much more bad-ass)

 martinc wrote:
Don't really like the echo vocals - seems pretty amateurish to me. Sounds like every one has the reverb pedal switched on
 
I like all that...it gives this the hand made quality that feels good behind her lovely and easy going vocals.  Makes me want to throw another log on the fire and tip the bourbon once or twice.

Lovely song.  Love the arrangement and production and the reverb: more good music from Glasgow.  By the way, echo and reverb are technically two different things.


Don't really like the echo vocals - seems pretty amateurish to me. Sounds like every one has the reverb pedal switched on

I don’t know if I like the song or the album cover best?


Now I know what they mean when they say "eclectic."  And I think I like it!

Love the arrangement of this song.  The reverb-y guitar, the horns, the organ (or accordian), backup vocals.  Whole greater than the sum of the parts, and all that jazz...
 lixy wrote:
Look at those eyes! The chick's been abducted by aliens.
 
No, she's just horrified by that wallpaper.  ......Later back at the record company she says to the record exec., "Surely you are not going to use this pic for the album cover!?!"

Record Exec replies, "Yes, and don't call me Shirley."    ....that's all folks....
linda canción !!!!! nice and sweet voice...

matías

Cat Power - Could We {#Arrow} Camera Obscura - Tears for Affairs


Superb ! New and refreshing ! Dont hear this good stuff on FM.

Timmy Mack, Brooklyn, NY


I like. Nice groove they got going.

Oh yeah, and the accordian rocks! {#Tongue-out}
 daedalus wrote:
Predictable, unremitting uninspiring dirge.... Bah humbug!
 
You mean Pearl Jam's Wishlist that just ended, right?
Predictable, unremitting uninspiring dirge.... Bah humbug!

 spraehbuer wrote:

Let the wallpaper speak for itself! {#Shhh}
 
Indeed. Free Speech for wallpaper everywhere! Down with wallpaper censorship!

miahfost wrote:
rascal420 wrote:
the wallpaper speaks to me and it says: "casino bathroom"


The wallpaper doesn't like being anthropomorphized.


Let the wallpaper speak for itself! {#Shhh}
This is off the wall... But the instrumental part reminds me of some old Jimmy Buffet song
Please play "Lloyd, I'm ready to be heartbroken" from this same album sometime -- great song!
jsjacob wrote:
Parts of this song remind me of "My Sweet Lord". So yes, I agree.
Or perhaps by extension of the song "He's So Fine" by the Chiffons...?
Worth registering, just to show my approval - great band, great track.
Ibis99 wrote:
Total World Party Ripoff!
What?
rascal420 wrote:
the wallpaper speaks to me and it says: "casino bathroom"
The wallpaper doesn't like being anthropomorphized.
perezia23 wrote:
I'm not immediately taken by them...but I'm definitely gonna check out the rest of their music. Thanks for the musical expansion, RP!
Yep. Different. Not an immediate grab. A bit of 50's / 60's flair in there. Plus, anyone that can make an accordian sound at least OK deserves some freaking credit.
the wallpaper speaks to me and it says: "casino bathroom"
I like this song more and more:)
I'm not immediately taken by them...but I'm definitely gonna check out the rest of their music. Thanks for the musical expansion, RP!
sukilau wrote:
makes me want to hear Dusty Springfield for some weird reason...
ha! ha! ha! (which means lol)
Doesn't sound as much like Belle & Sebastien as I'm used to from them. Jury is still out on whether that's a good thing. Still, I like this.
album face = "You see that lil red light there on the shelf? That was there last weekend too. That's right, it saw your new trick, which I love, that was very flexy of you. Now we can watch it together. With 15 of my best friends. They're cool. Really. Wait, let's invite the New Pornographers too!"
This song is now asking a 10 from me. I like the situation.
makes me want to hear Dusty Springfield for some weird reason...
Love this song -- re: album cover art -- what is she so afraid of? Losing her reign as indie pop princess? Scary thought I am sure.
The title of the album & the look on her face reminds me of what I must look like watching George Bush on the TV!
sunny_day wrote:
Sounds very George Harrison-esque to me. Do you agree?
Parts of this song remind me of "My Sweet Lord". So yes, I agree.
Yep, still like it! Upgraded to an 8!
zorrofox wrote:
This is my favourite track off this brilliant album. Odd mixing but her voice is like honey. She's not alone in wanting out of this country either.
funny, I was just thinking that about my own country.
Sounds very George Harrison-esque to me. Do you agree?
Her voice makes me goopy (that\'s a good thing)
Her voice reminds me of Feist.
Napster doesn't have this song, last time I checked
I always like this song when I hear it...makes me do the chair dance
mamerjamer wrote:
I always feel better at the end of this song than I did at the beginning.
Second that!
Bah! The face on the cover looks like what Angela Merkel must have looked 20 years ago.... Besides this, the song is nice.
Bah! The face on the cover looks like Angela Merkel must have looked 20 years ago.... Besides this, the song is nice.
Nice vocal :) 7 -> 8
Phenomenal album! From start to finish.
I love this whole album.
Interesting album cover.
Total World Party Ripoff!
Another group who has sold me a CD thatnks to RP.
I initially rated this a 3... now it's grown on me, to a 7... :-)
Darkmatter wrote:
This puts me right in the mood for some spring romancing! Anyone with me?
Depends. Are you on the Swedish Bikini Team?
This puts me right in the mood for some spring romancing! Anyone with me?
ScottishWillie wrote:
To go where? If there is a better country on Gods green earth that Scotland I have yet to find it. Though I agree with you about her voice, it is like audio honey.
Yeah, Scotland is a beautiful place, but the weather sucks... Particularily so in Glasgow... :( But that's what you got the whiskey for! :)
Everytime this comes on I check who it is - its great and maybe soon I'll remember the name. Its not on Napster though.
I always feel better at the end of this song than I did at the beginning.
me likey....and I want some of the 'shrooms she's on in that album art.
ScottishWillie wrote:
To go where? If there is a better country on Gods green earth that Scotland I have yet to find it. Though I agree with you about her voice, it is like audio honey.
Correct and correct
My Sweet Lord...da do ron ron...
Can't decide which I like more -- the song or the album cover.
OK, I'm going to have to buy this. thanks RP!
zorrofox wrote:
This is my favourite track off this brilliant album. Odd mixing but her voice is like honey. She's not alone in wanting out of this country either.
To go where? If there is a better country on Gods green earth that Scotland I have yet to find it. Though I agree with you about her voice, it is like audio honey.
celadonstone wrote:
I would like to say kudos on the title of this album. Its brilliant. And the look on that girl's face is F'ing hilarious.
Yeah, that is the most random cover I've ever seen.
This is a new one for me. I likey!