Songs about photography

vladhed

R.I.P. 1997-2006
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Hey I just read on wikipedia that Bill Braggs song "Cindy of a thousand lives" was written about Cindy Sherman! As a big fan of both, I'm a little ashamed that I never made the connection.

Anyone know of any other photography related songs?

dominic

"It's a Man Ray kind of sky. Let me show you what I can do with it." - R.E.M.
 
I always had a soft spot for "First Picture of You" by the Lotos Eaters - or indeed "Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)" by A Flock of Seagulls. But I'd also commend your attention to the brilliant Jill Sobule. Making ends meet as a pro photographer's assistant, her songs are saturated with photographic references. Although not strictly about still photography, her "Super 8" painfully embodies many of the feelings most of us have, looking at "old photographs".

Cheers, Ian
 
"Du hast den Farbfilm vergessen..." (You have forgotten the colour film) by Nina Hagen, Germany. This song - recorded 1974 in the former GDR - is still very famous in Germany and talks about love and memories of better times.
 
What about that utterly confusing song: "My angel is a centerfold"? Doesn't it sound he's way too happy "his memory's just been sold"?
 
jgeenen said:
"Du hast den Farbfilm vergessen..." (You have forgotten the colour film) by Nina Hagen, Germany. This song - recorded 1974 in the former GDR - is still very famous in Germany and talks about love and memories of better times.
I love Nina Hagen. I have never been able to find a single album of hers on this continent. Of course, I can't remember any of her songs' titles because I don't have any of her recordings, save one on vinyl, a compilation of early 80s "rock" songs. Very unique.
 
Gabriel, take a look at YouTube - you'll find a Nina Hagen video presenting "Farbfilm". Little bit old-fashioned (remember: The 70's behind the iron curtain) but still nice...
 
I like The Kinks' "People take pictures of each other" from the album The Village Green Preservation Society, lyrics penned by Ray Davies: "People take pictures of each other/just to prove that they really existed".
 
jgeenen said:
Gabriel, take a look at YouTube

Will do, Johannes, thanks. I don't suppose you have any links for Die Fantastischen Vier, do you? :D

OK, let's not hijack this. And I've been summoned to the table. That duck is apparently ticking...

One that is slightly related to photography could be one by the Thompson Twins, I think it's called "Hold me now" (I've got a picture...)
 
Don't know if Filter's "Take my picture" counts...I think so.

Then, isn't there some mention of a photograph in "Nightswimming"? God help you if you don't know the artist.
 
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"3x5" by John Mayer (didn't have a camera by my side this time . . .) and besides "People Take Pictures Of Each Other" by The Kinks, (mentioned above) there is also "Picture Book" (pictures of your Mama taken by your Papa a long time ago), Ringo Starr and George Harrison wrote "Photograph" just off the top of me head!
 
Natalie Merchant's "Carnival"..."hypnotized, mesmerized by what my eyes have found". The video shows her toting an M3 and doing some street photography...

Click here to watch the video.

:cool:
 
distant camera. / n. young:

TITLE: DISTANT CAMERA
ALBUM: SILVER & GOLD


INPUT BY: Malc Brookes (malc@malbro.demon.co.uk)
Matt Cottingham (mcotting@molbiol.ox.ac.uk)
Wolfgang Deimel (deimel@mabi.de)
Fredrik Johansson (redsun@reacte.com), LED TO THIS

INTRO: Play progression twice. The 2nd shape given is a pull-off /
hammer-on thing shortly before the chord change.

G xx0787 / xx0780
Dsus4 xx0785 / xx0780
D xx0775 / xx0770
Dm9 xx0560

CHORDS:
Dsus4/C x30230C* x32013
Am7 x02013G6 3x2003 (coming from G, hammer-on the e)
Em7/B x20030Em7 xx2030

G D
The flash from a distant camera
Em C
Reconnecting thoughts and actions,
G D Em C
Fragments of our missing dream.
G D
Pieces from here and there
Em C
Fall in place along the line,
G D Em C
Disappearing between you and me

C* G/B Am7 G
Life is changing everywhere I go,
C G/B Am7
New things and old both disappear;
D Dsus4/C Em7/B Em7
If life is a photograph fading in the mirror,
C G D G D C
All I want is a song of love,
C G D Em D C
Song of love to sing for you
C G D G D C
All I need is this song of love,
(no chords) G G6 G
To sing for you.

On the floor where daylight dances,
With the ones who missed their chances,
When they couldn't let it show;
Lies the lamb? of sweet surrender,
Like a dream it might have ended there,
But we didn't even know.

Now forever we will live as one,
Floating in love's atmosphere;
If love is a piece of dust shining in the sun,
All I want is a song of love,
Song of love to sing for you;
All I need is this song of love,
To sing for you.

(intro chords)
song of love,
(intro chords)
song of love.
 
"Faded photographs, covered now with lines and creases ..."

Traces, Classics IV (I think)

(Not to show my true age.) :)
 
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