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

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1255









Released: 2001
Length: 4:24
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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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. 
Posted 1 year ago by 4cowhig3    [ Reply ]
wow  this brings up heavy nostalgia from 2000!
Posted 2 years ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
It's actually pretty good for such a lame song.
Posted 2 years ago by crackker8385    [ Reply ]
Nice refreshment in 2022. Good old days when we didn't listen to shit.
Posted 2 years ago by geonuine    [ Reply ]
 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.

Posted 2 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]

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

Camera one, camera two - GIF - Imgur
Posted 4 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
Very nice. Threw me back a decade or so. 
Posted 4 years ago by geonuine    [ Reply ]
 Voted most likely to sound like Psych Furs, Mirror Moves era
Posted 4 years ago by mleidig    [ Reply ]
i like the crunchy guitar
Posted 4 years ago by dischuckin    [ Reply ]
To fully appreciate why some listeners love this song, you have to listen closely to the lyrics. For some, these speak volumes.
Posted 5 years ago by DrMacDaddy    [ Reply ]
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.  
Posted 6 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
this sounded a lot better to me when it came out. Bleagh.
Posted 9 years ago by Ag3nt0rang3    [ Reply ]
..this one begs the question:  is it possible to channel someone who is not yet deceased?..
Posted 10 years ago by cShaggy    [ Reply ]

This song is marvelous...  love it...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
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. 
Posted 11 years ago by sajitjacob    [ Reply ]
 motorichi wrote:
R.E.M.'s impression of Psychedelic Furs...wait...i'm only 39th to notice.)

 

Bang on
Posted 11 years ago by mjcunningham59    [ Reply ]
Decent lyrics.
Posted 11 years ago by SchoepTone    [ Reply ]
 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...!
Posted 11 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
 Sasha2001 wrote:
Gin Blossoms anyone? Just kidding. The Gin Blossoms are way better.
 
well... they both kinda suck. mid-90's pop rock. bleh.
Posted 11 years ago by Flipmode    [ Reply ]
 moxieandmore wrote:
got me again
not REM 
 
LMAO ''DITTO' I logged in to see what REM Album this track was from....
Posted 12 years ago by Toke    [ Reply ]
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. 
Posted 12 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
got me again
not REM 
Posted 12 years ago by moxieandmore    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 12 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 PA1749 wrote:

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

+1
 
+1
Posted 12 years ago by moxieandmore    [ Reply ]

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

+1
Posted 12 years ago by PA1749    [ Reply ]
Like some others, I thought it was the Psychedelic Furs.
Posted 12 years ago by AlienRelic    [ Reply ]
I like the song, I thought it was REM at first, which is a compliment.
Posted 12 years ago by steventylersqa    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Josh Joplin to me.
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 12 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
first listen ever. Godlike.
Posted 12 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
 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.

Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
very nice power-pop, beautiful melody.
Posted 12 years ago by tutakea    [ Reply ]
Sure, it doesn't sound unique; but, I still like it!

Posted 12 years ago by PA1749    [ Reply ]
Gin Blossoms anyone?

Just kidding. The Gin Blossoms are way better.
Posted 12 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
R.E.M.'s impression of Psychedelic Furs...wait...i'm only 39th to notice.)

Posted 13 years ago by motorichi    [ Reply ]
Why do i always think this is Bob mould.....anybody?
Posted 13 years ago by jules44    [ Reply ]
 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?

Posted 13 years ago by voodoodaddy    [ Reply ]
I haven't heard this in years!  I forgot how good it was.  Thanks to whomever uploaded this!
Posted 13 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
Have not heard since 2000 or so
Posted 13 years ago by fast_eddie    [ Reply ]
I love this song! So many fond memories... {#Dance}
Posted 13 years ago by MacCool    [ Reply ]
ho hum
Posted 13 years ago by lostintokyo    [ Reply ]

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.


Posted 13 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
blerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrg.
Posted 13 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
 DarkStar wrote:
Fur's meet REM, not bad...
 
My sentiments exactly...

Posted 14 years ago by df1489    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Bee bop?   {#Drunk}
 
Teeny (be) bopper? {#Roflol}
Posted 14 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
 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}
Posted 14 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 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."

Posted 14 years ago by vex    [ Reply ]
Lamest REM impersonation I've ever heard.

Posted 14 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
This song sucks!  If I want to hear this crap I can just tune in to any FM bee bop station. 
Posted 14 years ago by Guyeeno    [ Reply ]
This belongs on a show for teenagers, like the Hills or OC or whatever. Not here.
Posted 14 years ago by Jared    [ Reply ]
 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.


Posted 14 years ago by Anax    [ Reply ]
This album contains two decent tracks. The rest is best left forgotten.
Posted 14 years ago by mirland    [ Reply ]

 

 
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!
Posted 15 years ago by rolland69    [ Reply ]
moves me
Posted 15 years ago by houston    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 15 years ago by Jack_Jefferson    [ Reply ]
Kinda corny... But I like it.  It's heart-felt and it has an urgency.
Posted 15 years ago by samiyam    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 15 years ago by Jungle_Jim    [ Reply ]
Sounds nothing like REM.  Self-centered tune about our image culture?

Posted 15 years ago by earthbased    [ Reply ]
 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.)

Posted 15 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
 Egrey wrote:
Oh Josh, you continue to suck.  That said, I still loves me RP.

 
yes. and yes.

Posted 15 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
Oh Josh, you continue to suck.  That said, I still loves me RP.

Posted 15 years ago by Egrey    [ Reply ]
Don't know much about this guy; pretty good song though.  That's why I listen here.
Posted 15 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I assumed this was Matthew Sweet. Cool, though.
Posted 15 years ago by rtb    [ Reply ]
I was oddly drawn to this while also being repulsed by it. There was the Stipe thing I was diggin'; then something whined. {#Ask}

Posted 15 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
 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!


Posted 15 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
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.


Posted 15 years ago by rolland69    [ Reply ]
Funny... for a second I thought this was Gin Blossoms.
Posted 15 years ago by pugifat    [ Reply ]
I always liked this one too.  Bought the album and liked the rest too.
Posted 15 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
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?
Posted 15 years ago by Exene    [ Reply ]
Been a while since I have heard this one...always liked it....
Posted 16 years ago by dkeifer    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 16 years ago by saigesaige    [ Reply ]
RobRyan wrote:
Yup. I invariably think it's an R.E.M. song starting.
yeah, i thought it was REM until i looked!
Posted 16 years ago by polaroid    [ Reply ]
Weak lyrics.
Posted 16 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
badean wrote:
Sounds more like Michael Stipe to me...
Yup. I invariably think it's an R.E.M. song starting.
Posted 16 years ago by RobRyan    [ Reply ]
The opening line told me all I need to know: contrived, contrived, contrived. Blech.
Posted 16 years ago by agnes    [ Reply ]
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...
Posted 16 years ago by badean    [ Reply ]
I'd like to hear more.
Posted 16 years ago by Ericac    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 16 years ago by wade44    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 16 years ago by pacificbeth    [ Reply ]
lmic wrote:
Ditto! I always thought it was REM (from their later, uh, weaker period. )
Quite.
Posted 16 years ago by NFG    [ Reply ]
kazuma wrote:
Catchy and bland. Cablandtchy.
Hmm, crappy bland and catchy. Crapblandtchy!
Posted 16 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
Hinkamp wrote:
cheeeese
cheese with a side of hokie trite pudding
Posted 16 years ago by govna    [ Reply ]
Stop tearing it apart...we all have influences..it's a fun song with a great chorus....nuff said
Posted 16 years ago by Monster    [ Reply ]
cheeeese
Posted 16 years ago by Hinkamp    [ Reply ]
zoom out, focus out, star wipe aaaannnnd roll credits
Posted 16 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
RADIO PARADISE FM HUH?
Posted 16 years ago by Krow_Pie    [ Reply ]
I like it. So there!!!!
Posted 17 years ago by froggy    [ Reply ]
I like the song, except that it sounds like a hundred other post-grunge songs.
Posted 17 years ago by 07734    [ Reply ]
federico wrote:
this MUST be a REM song!
Ditto! I always thought it was REM (from their later, uh, weaker period. )
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by Welly    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
kazuma wrote:
Catchy and bland. Cablandtchy.
That was hilarious!
Posted 17 years ago by meydele    [ Reply ]
kazuma wrote:
Catchy and bland. Cablandtchy.
Blatchy.
Posted 17 years ago by rumplestiltskin    [ Reply ]
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?
Posted 17 years ago by AMH    [ Reply ]
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. :)
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
It's OK but it sounds like that other band
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
Sounds like so many bands before him. Lyrics are good though.
Posted 17 years ago by eclectek    [ Reply ]
Like this song a lot.
Posted 18 years ago by boober    [ Reply ]
Catchy and bland. Cablandtchy.
Posted 18 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
make it stop!
Posted 18 years ago by lovebuzz    [ Reply ]
Only one word can describe this song and band....Poop!
Posted 18 years ago by mikecrawler77    [ Reply ]
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. :)
Posted 18 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 18 years ago by TKTuttle    [ Reply ]
DER DER DER DER...
Posted 18 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
The chorus sounds like the Furs.
Posted 18 years ago by DarkStar    [ Reply ]
Bleh.
Posted 18 years ago by photomuse    [ Reply ]
ManchesterUK wrote:
Top song from my favorite comedy "SCRUBS".
Scrubs!!! I knew I'd heard it before.
Posted 18 years ago by pixidrizzl    [ Reply ]
DarkStar wrote:
Fur's meet REM, not bad...
Agreed
Posted 18 years ago by Btime    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of Gin Blossoms. Heh, I should pull that disc out solely for nostalgic purposes.
Posted 18 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
Top song from my favorite comedy "SCRUBS".
Posted 18 years ago by ManchesterUK    [ Reply ]
DarkStar wrote:
Fur's meet REM, not bad...
Crap meets crap, Nice
Posted 18 years ago by Djmgx    [ Reply ]
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!!!
Posted 18 years ago by mafe    [ Reply ]
Fur's meet REM, not bad...
Posted 18 years ago by DarkStar    [ Reply ]
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."
Posted 18 years ago by jenseda    [ Reply ]
federico wrote:
this MUST be a REM song!
no kidding!
Posted 18 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
this MUST be a REM song!
Posted 19 years ago by federico    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 19 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
rkbrownie wrote:
Sounds a lot like REM............hmmmm
REM without the emotional distance. Which is a good thing. (Eliminating the emotional distance, that is.)
Posted 19 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
I flipped to RP site thinking i'd see "Now Playing: Matthew Sweet"...
Posted 19 years ago by AlanCE    [ Reply ]
I've heard this before, but I'm not sure where... perhaps in a movie or something? The chorus is very familiar.
Posted 19 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]