"Love Is a Camera" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by Sophie Ellis-Bextor | ||||
from the album Wanderlust | ||||
Released | 23 June 2014 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
| |||
Label | EBGB's | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | Harcourt | |||
Sophie Ellis-Bextor singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Love Is A Camera (Official video)" on YouTube |
"Love Is a Camera" is a song performed by English recording artist Sophie Ellis-Bextor for her fifth album Wanderlust (2014). Ellis-Bextor co-wrote the song with Ed Harcourt, who also produced the track. Its lyrics recount the story of a woman who takes photos of her victims and keeps their souls in the pictures. Musically, the song features piano, guitars, double bass, and influences of tango and baroque. "Love Is a Camera" was serviced to hot adult contemporary radio stations in the United Kingdom as the third single from Wanderlust. The song was released on 23 June 2014.
Upon release, its lyrics and composition attained praise and ambivalence from music critics. To accompany the song's release, Sophie Muller was enlisted as the director for the music video of "Love Is a Camera", which was filmed in the Italian city of Florence. Its storyline features Ellis-Bextor impersonating two characters, one being a "temptress" and the other being an unsuspecting woman. The former convinces a man who is attracted to her, and the latter, to take their picture; the unsuspecting characters are ultimately trapped in their portraits. The track has been performed during Ellis-Bextor's gigs, for promoting her record Wanderlust. The track was re-recorded with an orchestra for Ellis-Bextor's 2019 greatest hits album The Song Diaries .
"Love Is a Camera" was the first song to be developed for Ellis-Bextor's fifth record, Wanderlust. [1] Ellis-Bextor co-wrote the song with its producer Ed Harcourt. Harcourt produced the track. [2] David Farrell of PopMatters described the track as a "plodding tango", while The Daily Telegraph writer Neil McCormick deemed it an "elaborate baroque quasi-ballad". From The Irish Times , Louise Bruton called the song a "hectic slice of vaudevillian fun". Its instrumentation comprises "florid" guitar chords, "stalking" pianos and a double bass played by Harcourt. [1] [3] [4] Andy Gill of The Independent credited the first two instruments with providing "an Iron Curtain feel" to the track. [5] The final part of the song—characterised by Time Out reviewer Clare Considine as one of Wanderlust's "more energetic moments"—incorporates a "gypsy polka" sound. During that part, Ellis-Bextor's voice is paired with an "increasingly frantic piano". [6]
The song's lyrics were influenced by Russian folklore. Ellis-Bextor denoted her literary choices—as a child and a student—as influences for the song, listing Russian fairytales, folk stories and Emily Dickinson's works as examples. She took inspiration from the humour and mystery from the serial drama Twin Peaks . "Love Is a Camera" narrates the story of a "spooky old" woman who lives "in a house on the hill", and takes pictures of individuals, only to preserve their souls in the photographs "behind glass". [7] [8] Farrell interpreted that the protagonist took their photographs to "preserve their memories". [1]
Farrell exalted the lyricism of the song, stating that "Sophie's music has never sounded so lyrically rich" and her "storytelling skills" were visible in it. [1] Considine named the song a "welcome break from lullabies (such as 'The Deer and the Wolf') that risk monotony" on the album. [6] Conversely, AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine described "Love Is a Camera" as a "bogged down in pretension" moment in Wanderlust; Erlewine went on to criticize the song's "ceaseless pomp". [9] Kate Bennett of musicOMH wrote that "Love Is a Camera" was "more of the same" "heroine-gazing-forlornly-into-the-distance." She elaborated, "You'd have to have a heart of cold, igneous rock not to enjoy [this track] just a little, but if you were never a member of your local youth theatre company the sticky-sweetness of it all quickly becomes cloying." [10] The song peaked at number 32 on the UK Airplay Chart, while on the UK Indie Chart it reached number 33. [11] [12]
As announced in a press release, "Love Is a Camera" was released as the third single of Wanderlust on 23 June 2014. [13] The song was serviced to hot adult contemporary stations in the United Kingdom; it was included in the A-List of BBC Radio 2. [14] A promotional Compact Disc single was sent out to radio stations, including a shortened version of the song, dubbed its "radio edit". [15]
Sophie Muller directed the music video for "Love Is a Camera", which was released on 30 May 2014. The video commences with Ellis-Bextor, who plays an "eerie temptress" dressed in a black "ankle-length, lace-trimmed" gown, walking and dancing slowly inside a classical mansion. While wandering through her house, she starts adjusting picture frames, which hold monochromatic photographs of individuals. One of those pictures depicts a pony-tailed woman, dressed in white—also played by Ellis-Bextor—who starts mimicking the song, whilst in the frame. The story of the woman in the frame is told throughout the video—after crossing a field, she finds the mansion. Her photograph is taken by the dressed-in-black Ellis-Bextor, and she is trapped in the frame. Whilst walking down an outdoors staircase, the "temptress" passes by a bearded man who stares at her with interest. Both enter the mansion, where they drink; the dressed-in-black Ellis-Bextor holds his hand. She convinces him to take his photograph, and after realizing it is a trap, he tries to escape. However, the "temptress" finds him running and takes his photograph; trapping him in a frame as well. [16] [17]
"Love Is a Camera" has been performed throughout Ellis-Bextor's 2014 tour in promotion of Wanderlust. Whilst singing the track, Ellis-Bextor would reference her participation on Strictly Come Dancing and dance a "half-hearted sway", as musicOMH's Helen Clarke described it. [18] Reviewing her concert at the Bush Hall, James Lachno of The Daily Telegraph lauded Ellis-Bextor's performance of the song. Lachno stated, "[It was] one of the oddest, and best, songs of the night." [19] After attending Ellis-Bextor's concert at the Oran Mor, an anonymous writer for The Scotsman commented that the song "sounded grand in the live setting". [20]
Details adapted from the liner notes of "Love Is a Camera"'s CD single. [15]
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Wanderlust. [2]
Chart (2014) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Airplay (Radiomonitor) [11] | 32 |
UK Indie Singles (Official Charts Company) [12] | 32 |
Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 2014 | Promotional CD single | EBGB's | [15] |
19 May 2014 | Hot adult contemporary | [14] | ||
23 June 2014 | Digital download | [13] |
Sophie Michelle Ellis-Bextor is an English singer and songwriter. She first came to prominence in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the indie rock band Theaudience. After the group disbanded, Ellis-Bextor went solo and achieved success beginning in the early 2000s. Her music is a mixture of mainstream pop, disco, nu-disco, and 1980s electronic music influences.
Read My Lips is the debut studio album by English singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor. It was released on 27 August 2001 by Polydor Records. After the disbandment of the Britpop group Theaudience, in which Ellis-Bextor served as vocalist, she was signed to Polydor. Prior to the LP's completion, the singer collaborated with several musicians, including band Blur's bassist Alex James, Moby and New Radicals frontman Gregg Alexander. The record was described as a collection of 1980s electronica and 1970s disco music.
Shoot from the Hip is the second studio album by English singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released on 27 October 2003 by Polydor Records. It was produced by Gregg Alexander, Matt Rowe, Jeremy Wheatley and Damian LeGassick.
"Murder on the Dancefloor" is a song written by Gregg Alexander and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Alexander and Matt Rowe for Ellis-Bextor's first album, Read My Lips (2001). Released on 3 December 2001, the song peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and stayed on the chart for 23 weeks. The song became a top-10 hit worldwide, charting within the top three in Australia, New Zealand, and four European countries. In the United States, where the song was serviced to radio in September 2002, the single reached number nine on the Billboard Dance Singles Sales chart. "Murder on the Dancefloor" is reported to have been the most played song in Europe in 2002. In 2023, the Emerald Fennell film Saltburn featured the iconic song in a key scene.
"Take Me Home" is a song recorded by American singer and actress Cher for her fifteenth studio album. The album, released in 1979, bore the same name as the single. "Take Me Home" is a disco song conceived after Cher was recommended to venture into said genre after the commercial failure of her previous albums. The lyrics center around the request of a woman to be taken home by her lover. It was released as the lead single from the Take Me Home album in January 1979 through Casablanca Records, pressed as a 12-inch single.
"Get Over You" and "Move This Mountain" are two songs by British pop singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor. In most countries, "Get Over You" was released as the sole single, but in the United Kingdom, the two tracks were released as a double A-side single on 10 June 2002. The former track was taken off the Read My Lips album reissue, while the latter was an album track in the original album release.
British singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor has released seven solo studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, one remix album, one extended play, one video album, thirty-six singles and twenty-seven music videos. Ellis-Bextor debuted in 1997 as frontwoman of the indie music group theaudience, whose single "I Know Enough " reached the top 25 on the United Kingdom singles chart. They released a self-titled album—a follow-up was shelved by label Mercury Records although selected tracks circulate as bootlegs.
"Me and My Imagination" is a song by British recording artist Sophie Ellis-Bextor for her third studio album, Trip the Light Fantastic (2007). It was written by Ellis-Bextor, Hannah Robinson and co-written and produced by Matt Prime. It is a dance-pop, disco song and its lyrics advise an overeager suitor to play harder to get. Some critics noted that it recalls the songs from her first studio album, Read My Lips (2001).
"Today the Sun's on Us" is a song by English musician Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released as the third single from her third studio album Trip the Light Fantastic (2007). It was written by Ellis-Bextor, Steve Robson, and Nina Woodford and produced by Jeremy Wheatley and Brio Taliaferro. A pop ballad featuring electric and bass guitar, its lyrics describe "appreciating the good times while they're here." It was released on 6 August 2007 as a CD single.
"Not Giving Up on Love" is a collaboration between Dutch DJ and record producer Armin van Buuren and English singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor. It was released on 20 August 2010 as the second single from van Buuren's fourth studio album, Mirage, and the fourth single from Ellis-Bextor's fourth studio album, Make a Scene.
Make a Scene is the fourth studio album by English singer and songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released in Russia on 18 April 2011 by Universal Music Group and in the United Kingdom on 13 June 2011 by Ellis-Bextor's own record label, EBGB's. It is her first studio album since Trip the Light Fantastic (2007).
Wanderlust is the fifth studio album by English singer and songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released on 20 January 2014 by EBGB's. The album marks a sharp shift from Ellis-Bextor's electronic dance roots, incorporating elements of folk, baroque and orchestral music. It was featured as BBC Radio 2's "Album of the Week" on 18 January 2014.
"Young Blood" is a song by English recording artist Sophie Ellis-Bextor from her fifth studio album Wanderlust (2014). The song was released as the album's lead single on 21 November 2013. It was co-written by Ed Harcourt and Ellis-Bextor; the former also produced it. The song is a chamber pop piano ballad, which features instrumentation from subdued drums and various string instruments. In the track, Ellis-Bextor sings with restrain, incorporating a low register in the verses and hitting her highest note in the chorus. A demo version of the track was offered online in March 2013.
"Runaway Daydreamer" is a song by the English recording artist Sophie Ellis-Bextor for her fifth studio album Wanderlust (2014). The song was released on 31 March 2014 as the second single of the album. Composed by Ed Harcourt with additional writing by Ellis-Bextor, it is a chamber pop track which features percussion and string instruments. Its lyrics, written in a way resemblant of nursery rhymes, expound on escapism and "self discovery".
Familia is the sixth studio album by English singer and songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The album was produced by Ed Harcourt, who also produced Ellis-Bextor's previous album, Wanderlust. It was released on 2 September 2016, by EBGB LLP and was critically acclaimed. It was preceded by disco-pop single "Come with Us", which was released on 19 July.
"The Deer & the Wolf" is a song by English recording artist Sophie Ellis-Bextor from her fifth studio album Wanderlust (2014). The song was released as the fourth and final single of the album on 25 August 2014. It was co-written by Ed Harcourt and Ellis-Bextor; whilst production was handled by the former. It was remixed under the name of "The Deer & The Wolf " for the Wandermix edition of the album.
The Song Diaries is a compilation album by English singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released on 15 March 2019 by EBGB's. Made in collaboration with Ed Harcourt, the album consists primarily of orchestral versions of Ellis-Bextor's solo singles, including her collaboration with Italian DJ Spiller, "Groovejet ", and a song from her time as part of Theaudience, "A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed". It was called an "orchestral greatest hits" by Clash. Ellis-Bextor toured the UK with a full orchestra and band in support of the album from June 2019.
Songs from the Kitchen Disco is the first greatest hits album by English singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released on 13 November 2020 by EGBG's, although it was previously announced for 23 October. It features singles from all her studio albums: Read My Lips (2001), Shoot from the Hip (2003), Trip the Light Fantastic (2007), Make a Scene (2011), Wanderlust (2014) and Familia (2016), as well as a number of cover versions of songs by other artists. Songs from the Kitchen Disco serves as the follow-up to her previous release, the 2019 orchestral compilation album The Song Diaries.
Hana is the seventh studio album by English singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released through Cooking Vinyl on 2 June 2023. The album is her third and final to be produced by Ed Harcourt, alongside Wanderlust (2014) and Familia (2016). Musically, Ellis-Bextor sought to create a fantastical world for the album, inspired by a trip to Japan shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link){{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)