Wilco — Kamera
Album: Yankee Hotel FoxtrotAvg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 1832
Length: 3:26
Plays (last 30 days): 3
share
tweet
I need a camera to my eye
To my eye reminding
Which lies have I been hiding
Which echoes belong
I've counted out
Days to see how far
I've driven in the dark
With echoes in my heart
Phone my family, tell them I'm lost on the sidewalk
No, it's not okay
I smashed a camera
I wanna know why
To my eye
Deciding
Which lies have I
Been hiding
Which echoes belong
I'm counting on
A heart I know by heart
To walk me through this war
Memories distort
Phone my family, tell them I'm lost on the sidewalk
No, it's not okay
I'm counted out
And no one knows how far (tell them I'm lost)
I've driven in the dark (tell them I'm lost)
With echoes in my heart (tell them I'm lost)
Phone my family tell them I'm lost, yeah, I'm lost
And no, it's not okay
No, it's not okay
No, it's not okay
To my eye reminding
Which lies have I been hiding
Which echoes belong
I've counted out
Days to see how far
I've driven in the dark
With echoes in my heart
Phone my family, tell them I'm lost on the sidewalk
No, it's not okay
I smashed a camera
I wanna know why
To my eye
Deciding
Which lies have I
Been hiding
Which echoes belong
I'm counting on
A heart I know by heart
To walk me through this war
Memories distort
Phone my family, tell them I'm lost on the sidewalk
No, it's not okay
I'm counted out
And no one knows how far (tell them I'm lost)
I've driven in the dark (tell them I'm lost)
With echoes in my heart (tell them I'm lost)
Phone my family tell them I'm lost, yeah, I'm lost
And no, it's not okay
No, it's not okay
No, it's not okay
Comments (154)add comment
this is the main mix on radio paradise (5x today)
Their best album imho.
This has aged so well. Sounds like it could have been off their latest album.
These guys better tour in summer 2024.
Lots of bands are touring and it's time to fill my dance card, sort of speak.
And of course Dylan, Willie, and Mellencamp Summer tour is at the top of the list.
Lots of bands are touring and it's time to fill my dance card, sort of speak.
And of course Dylan, Willie, and Mellencamp Summer tour is at the top of the list.
dmcanany wrote:
I remember those corn cobs from my childhood driving into the city. Nothing like them anywhere else. I suppose, a celebration of the corn that brought Chicago so much wealth in the form of the commodities exchange and the stock yards. Or something like that.
Not quite the same, but reminds me of the old 'NLA Tower' in Croydon (now renamed). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
I remember those corn cobs from my childhood driving into the city. Nothing like them anywhere else. I suppose, a celebration of the corn that brought Chicago so much wealth in the form of the commodities exchange and the stock yards. Or something like that.
Not quite the same, but reminds me of the old 'NLA Tower' in Croydon (now renamed). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
This Album was Album of the year, in german music magazine "Musikexpress" in 2002.
I first had the cd, and now i've got the album on vinyl! I still love this album and can't believe that 21 years have gone since it's release!
I first had the cd, and now i've got the album on vinyl! I still love this album and can't believe that 21 years have gone since it's release!
idiot_wind wrote:
Starting a tour!
New year resolution.
Go to more Wilco shows.
Hold it.
Let's just go to more RnR shows.
Period.
Starting a tour!
jp33442 wrote:
Roger that!
Wilco always plays great stuff
Roger that!
New year resolution.
Go to more Wilco shows.
Hold it.
Let's just go to more RnR shows.
Period.
Go to more Wilco shows.
Hold it.
Let's just go to more RnR shows.
Period.
It wouldn't be a day without a Wilco tune on RP!
will see wilco next week
outdoors
dancing
outdoors
dancing
jlind wrote:
I remember those corn cobs from my childhood driving into the city. Nothing like them anywhere else. I suppose, a celebration of the corn that brought Chicago so much wealth in the form of the commodities exchange and the stock yards. Or something like that.
Go Chicago architecture on the cover!
I remember those corn cobs from my childhood driving into the city. Nothing like them anywhere else. I suppose, a celebration of the corn that brought Chicago so much wealth in the form of the commodities exchange and the stock yards. Or something like that.
jlind wrote:
the corn cob buildings = Marina City Towers
Go Chicago architecture on the cover!
the corn cob buildings = Marina City Towers
My frame of reference for the age of music ever since I started listening to RP has been that it is old music if I heard it before RP (BRP) and new if I first heard it here when it was new (ARP). This song falls into the "new" music category, as I think I first heard it here in about 2004. Though this song still sounds great, it might be time to reevaluate my frame of reference.
Go Chicago architecture on the cover!
Wilco always plays great stuff
GREAT STUFF!!!!!
craftsman crafting
NICE!
Fantastic album.
Fantastic album.
Brilliant!
AndyJ wrote:
I wonder what it would sound like to play some Wilco, Son Volt and Uncle Tupelo in close order formation...
Wonderful. Let's do it Bill.
Great)
Still one of my favorites by them.
AndyJ wrote:
Wonderful. Let's do it Bill.
I wonder what it would sound like to play some Wilco, Son Volt and Uncle Tupelo in close order formation...
Wonderful. Let's do it Bill.
I wonder what it would sound like to play some Wilco, Son Volt and Uncle Tupelo in close order formation...
robco1 wrote:
Yeah...you've got a point there. I do like the cover and those towers. Always have.
Yeah, but those Marina City towers down on State Street are kind of cool in a kitchy, '60 mod kind of way...
Yeah...you've got a point there. I do like the cover and those towers. Always have.
BBOGDA wrote:
Same playlist? Elvis, then Wilco. Hmm.
Not today. We got this from R.E.M.'s "These Days". Nice.
Same playlist? Elvis, then Wilco. Hmm.
Not today. We got this from R.E.M.'s "These Days". Nice.
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
I'm going to guess Elvis Costello - (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes which played just before...
Same playlist? Elvis, then Wilco. Hmm.
I'm going to guess Elvis Costello - (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes which played just before...
Same playlist? Elvis, then Wilco. Hmm.
WonderLizard wrote:
Okay, I'll bite. What song do you think this is? From all I've heard and been able to read, this is a Tweedy/Bennett original from all of 2002.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tusk_(album)
This sounds like a homage to Tusk era Fleetwood Mac, same stompy drumming with syncopated riffing. Even the singing sounds similar.
Okay, I'll bite. What song do you think this is? From all I've heard and been able to read, this is a Tweedy/Bennett original from all of 2002.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tusk_(album)
This sounds like a homage to Tusk era Fleetwood Mac, same stompy drumming with syncopated riffing. Even the singing sounds similar.
Still their finest effort as Wilco, IMO.
WonderLizard wrote:
Okay, I'll bite. What song do you think this is? From all I've heard and been able to read, this is a Tweedy/Bennett original from all of 2002.
I'm going to guess Elvis Costello - (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes which played just before...
Okay, I'll bite. What song do you think this is? From all I've heard and been able to read, this is a Tweedy/Bennett original from all of 2002.
I'm going to guess Elvis Costello - (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes which played just before...
Painted_Turtle wrote:
Okay, I'll bite. What song do you think this is? From all I've heard and been able to read, this is a Tweedy/Bennett original from all of 2002.
I'm enjoying listening to this one, what a surprise..I hadn't heard it in over 30 years...danke
Okay, I'll bite. What song do you think this is? From all I've heard and been able to read, this is a Tweedy/Bennett original from all of 2002.
I'm enjoying listening to this one, what a surprise..I hadn't heard it in over 30 years...danke
I think a good segue here would be to Me and My Arrow by Harry Nilsson from the 1970s. I'm just saying...
definitely one of the best albums of the 20-zeros. (not only) this song is absolutely brillant. simple, catchy, clever, disturbing, beautiful and dangerous.
Biscobret wrote:
Agree.
Best. Album. Ever.
Out of context, the songs don't have quite the same UMPH, however every song on YHF is brilliant.
Out of context, the songs don't have quite the same UMPH, however every song on YHF is brilliant.
Agree.
Best. Album. Ever.
Out of context, the songs don't have quite the same UMPH, however every song on YHF is brilliant.
Out of context, the songs don't have quite the same UMPH, however every song on YHF is brilliant.
should segue into Kodachrome after this song LOL
helgigermany wrote:
I don't think so.
Are these lyrics as harmless as they sound?
I don't think so.
I need a camera to my eye
To my eye, reminding
Which lies I have been hiding
which echoes belong
I've counted out days
to see how far
I've driven in the dark
with echoes in my heart Phone my family, tell them I'm lost
on the sidewalk
and, no, it's not OK
To my eye, reminding
Which lies I have been hiding
which echoes belong
I've counted out days
to see how far
I've driven in the dark
with echoes in my heart Phone my family, tell them I'm lost
on the sidewalk
and, no, it's not OK
ziakut wrote:
over rated...period.
Yeah, but those Marina City towers down on State Street are kind of cool in a kitchy, '60 mod kind of way...Are these lyrics as harmless as they sound?
Ah, but so easy to turn down.
over rated...period.
fredriley wrote:
just slap yourself silly and get on with it
Yep, the usual Wilco snorefest. Solid Ho-Hum from the Nottingham jury. Wilco and out
C'mon, RP, it's the end of the week and us poor wage-slaves are running sleep deficits - let's have something with a bit of zip and joie de vivre, not aural Mogadon.
C'mon, RP, it's the end of the week and us poor wage-slaves are running sleep deficits - let's have something with a bit of zip and joie de vivre, not aural Mogadon.
just slap yourself silly and get on with it
Yep, the usual Wilco snorefest. Solid Ho-Hum from the Nottingham jury. Wilco and out
C'mon, RP, it's the end of the week and us poor wage-slaves are running sleep deficits - let's have something with a bit of zip and joie de vivre, not aural Mogadon.
C'mon, RP, it's the end of the week and us poor wage-slaves are running sleep deficits - let's have something with a bit of zip and joie de vivre, not aural Mogadon.
One of the good ones from Wilco!
lmic wrote:
That felt good didn't it?
This song is sooooo good for the ears.
That felt good didn't it?
This song is sooooo good for the ears.
The album cover art is of the corn-cob towers in downtown Chicago. Brings back great memories of my years in Chi-town.
What beef does Sweden have with this band? 
megisi wrote:
None.
It's rather amusing you'd imply Wilco are sell-outs, as if they are selling out stadiums when the reality is their popularity barely outstrips the Jayhawks'.
You can listen to Golden Smog, which includes both Jeff Tweedy and members of the Jayhawks (who are, like, friends) if it makes you happy.
And, yet, the Jayhawks struggle for airplay and record sales.
Doesn't seem fair.
What commercial product did this song shill?
Doesn't seem fair.
What commercial product did this song shill?
None.
It's rather amusing you'd imply Wilco are sell-outs, as if they are selling out stadiums when the reality is their popularity barely outstrips the Jayhawks'.
You can listen to Golden Smog, which includes both Jeff Tweedy and members of the Jayhawks (who are, like, friends) if it makes you happy.
And, yet, the Jayhawks struggle for airplay and record sales.
Doesn't seem fair.
What commercial product did this song shill?
Doesn't seem fair.
What commercial product did this song shill?
Tusk with indie clothes.
Bubble gum indie
hey a smiley popping bubbles should be invented if it already isn't.
hey a smiley popping bubbles should be invented if it already isn't.
Most boring band ever? Possibly.
Love this band! Saw them live earlier this year. It was an amazing concert in a small outdoor venue. Simply brilliant.
dreadfully boring
I saw some people talking about live Wilco performances. I saw them at sunset at the Austin City Limits music festival in Zilker Park in Sept 07, and they were awesome. I love this band. It was my second favorite show of the weekend, next to the Indigo Girls, who totally blew us all away.
the wood on wood sounds like a xylophone to me
dot reminds steve. wilco lost it's more talented member. adjusts the ear muffs.
dot.
Take one Wilco every two hours and call me in the morning.
Land_Shark wrote:
I've seen Wilco several times. I also saw them in Las Vegas on that same tour with REM several years back. The show was very surprising. They were horrible. I was more excited to see Wilco than REM based on my earlier fantastic live experiences with Wilco. Not sure what happened on that tour, but I came away very disappointed. And, you are right, REM came onstage and completely blew them away. I think that tour was an aberration, as Wilco has been fantastic every other time I have seen them.
Hmmm...I have seen them multiple times on the last two tours...whatever problems they had on the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Tour seemed to have been worked out just fine...
megashnauzer wrote:
i saw wilco on a full moon night at red rocks in denver, colorado. it was for the tour for this disc. i had high hopes as this is my favorite group. they were terrible. the sound board guy should be fired. i was completely bummed. rem played after them and blew them away. i heard the wilco show on npr from the 9:30 club and they were incredible. they must have had a bad night. they are still my favorite band. they should give me free tickets to their next show.
I've seen Wilco several times. I also saw them in Las Vegas on that same tour with REM several years back. The show was very surprising. They were horrible. I was more excited to see Wilco than REM based on my earlier fantastic live experiences with Wilco. Not sure what happened on that tour, but I came away very disappointed. And, you are right, REM came onstage and completely blew them away. I think that tour was an aberration, as Wilco has been fantastic every other time I have seen them.
This should be the theme song for the world. Trends are not good. Get out the camera!
Rickvee wrote:
I think Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is one of the most overrated albums in history.
Me2
I think Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is one of the most overrated albums in history. That being said this is a helluva song - my favorite from YHF.
love, love, love these guys and JT in particular...actually he is my new JT cause old man james taylor just doesn't bring it anymore. Tweedy is a mad genius. anyhoo as to the better live or studio issue, I got to say live for sure! just listen to your favorite bootlegs! skip the crap and bask in the awesome...those who want a refund aren't doin' it right.......
Cambot wrote:
Wood. On wood.
Actually, I have no idea what you're talking about.
On wood? I think it's Christian Soldiers. Yeah, that's the ticket. On wood - Christian Soldiers.
i've only seen them once, in copenhagen, and i was a bit dissappointed. they seemed like they were working hard to sound "hard" and more rock like.....it did not do justice to their songs.
megashnauzer wrote:
i saw wilco on a full moon night at red rocks in denver, colorado. it was for the tour for this disc. i had high hopes as this is my favorite group. they were terrible. the sound board guy should be fired. i was completely bummed. rem played after them and blew them away. i heard the wilco show on npr from the 9:30 club and they were incredible. they must have had a bad night. they are still my favorite band. they should give me free tickets to their next show.
boring...
megashnauzer wrote:
i saw wilco on a full moon night at red rocks in denver, colorado. it was for the tour for this disc. i had high hopes as this is my favorite group. they were terrible. the sound board guy should be fired. i was completely bummed. rem played after them and blew them away. i heard the wilco show on npr from the 9:30 club and they were incredible. they must have had a bad night. they are still my favorite band. they should give me free tickets to their next show.
That sucks man. You think Wilco at Red Rocks would be one of the best shows ever. You could see Hanson there and it would still be good just because it was at Red Rocks. I saw Wilco twice, and both times were free. First time at State College. Penn State always invites free bands at the end of the spring semester for the Seniors. The last at the Pittsburgh art fest at Point Park State Park. Both were great shows.
I am a serious RP fan's nightmare. I rate songs based on previous posts, I think. You all made me laugh, so up the scale goes.
Forgive me!
Cambot wrote:
Wood. On wood.
Actually, I have no idea what you're talking about.
Sounds like an African slit drum.
Duluoz wrote:
Yeah! You said it... And more good = more gooder!
duh! Its gooderer. Sheesh.
red5_bc wrote:
hush your mouth! More Wilco = more good.
Yeah! You said it... And more good = more gooder!
punkbot wrote:
Not complaining but, that's 3 Wilco songs in the last 2 hours (2 off of YHF, and 1 with Billie Bragg).
hush your mouth! More Wilco = more good.
witchchild wrote:
Whats that in the background that sounds like wood on wood?
Wood. On wood.
Actually, I have no idea what you're talking about.
Whats that in the background that sounds like wood on wood?
Thats a bummer about red rocks. I too saw them on the AGIB tour, drove up to Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee. It was smoking hot in there, no air circulation, most everyone looked like a wet t-shirt contestant afterward. But the music, was awesome. Love that band!
i saw wilco on a full moon night at red rocks in denver, colorado. it was for the tour for this disc. i had high hopes as this is my favorite group. they were terrible. the sound board guy should be fired. i was completely bummed. rem played after them and blew them away. i heard the wilco show on npr from the 9:30 club and they were incredible. they must have had a bad night. they are still my favorite band. they should give me free tickets to their next show.
DjThirteenP wrote:
Try a live show if you get the chance -- it may help you see what they're trying to do and get into them. Their entire "Ghost is Born" album made no sense to me until I heard them play a bunch of it live. It took me a while when I first heard them to take them out of the frat-boy rock Dave Matthews category, but they're really much better than that.
Thanks for the tip. I'll give 'em a shot the next time they make it to my fair city.
Mary_Read wrote:
I don't mind if he plays two tracks so close together... Wilco is playing at the Ottawa Bluesfest this summer and I will have their albums in heavy rotation in anticipation to see them!
Not saying I mind either ... just unusual for RP.
I don't mind if he plays two tracks so close together... Wilco is playing at the Ottawa Bluesfest this summer and I will have their albums in heavy rotation in anticipation to see them!
Dianyla wrote:
Oh no! Dammit!
I keep hearing "down in kokomo..." (Beach Boys) somewhere in this song.
Oh no! Dammit!
slippin, two cuts off of one album in about 2 hours.
8:42 am - Wilco - Kamera
8:39 am - The Vines - Vision Valley
...
8:12 am - Pearl Jam - Come Back
8:08 am - Billy Bragg & Wilco - Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key
8:05 am - Kathryn Williams - Flicker
...
7:01 am - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (Hey Oh)
6:57 am - Wilco - Jesus, Etc.
I keep hearing "down in kokomo..." (Beach Boys) somewhere in this song.
Not complaining but, that's 3 Wilco songs in the last 2 hours (2 off of YHF, and 1 with Billie Bragg).
cattgirl813 wrote:
Never got the appeal of these guys. They're okay, but I just don't feel them.
Try a live show if you get the chance -- it may help you see what they're trying to do and get into them. Their entire "Ghost is Born" album made no sense to me until I heard them play a bunch of it live. It took me a while when I first heard them to take them out of the frat-boy rock Dave Matthews category, but they're really much better than that.
Never got the appeal of these guys. They're okay, but I just don't feel them.
masterhead wrote:
I tasted this cd with my teenage kids. They basically listen to radio tunes and radio classic rock but they actually approved the Cd right away... the whole CD not just the "nice" songs I was also pleasantly surprised..
You must be raising them right! congrats!
I have recently converted to being a fan and now I can't get enough.
This is probably answered on another Wilco song's thread somewhere. Anyway...
Jeff Tweedy just got into these weird tapes (I forget what the series is called) which are repeating phonetic symbols used by the Mossad and other intelligence agencies to communicate over the shortwave radio.
They're just these totally random sounding things and this one loop - of a woman saying "Yankee, Hotel, Foxtrot" (the phonetic alphabet for YHF) over and over is used on the album.
There is no SPECIFIC or hidden meaning to it.
TJ
p.s. It was bugging me so I found the link - the tapes come from the Conet Project. Herein lies enlightenment:
https://www.irdial.com/conet.htm
Gregorama wrote:
I think it has do do with radio frequencies, but I couldn't find it. VHF and UHF are the frequencies that Television broadcasts on. I think these stand for Very High Frequency and Ultra High Frequency. I am sure the Y is an adjective for a type of High Frequency broadcast signal of some type.
Can someone expand upon this? Bill, You know radio stuff--what is it?
kazuma wrote:
My guess would be Y H F. Now you only have to figure out what the Y, the H, and the F mean. ;)
I think it has do do with radio frequencies, but I couldn't find it. VHF and UHF are the frequencies that Television broadcasts on. I think these stand for Very High Frequency and Ultra High Frequency. I am sure the Y is an adjective for a type of High Frequency broadcast signal of some type.
Can someone expand upon this? Bill, You know radio stuff--what is it?
This one goes to 11.
Gish05 wrote:
Ohhh, so "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" is probably a secret codename or something. Now I have to know what it means!!
My guess would be Y H F. Now you only have to figure out what the Y, the H, and the F mean. ;)
Aaah the riddle of Wilco ... I wanna love 'em, I really do, I really try, but still I remain ambivalent. Like most everything I've heard from them, I got no objections to this, but no real enthusiasm either. I can live with it or without it.
Barry wrote:
yes, yankee hotel foxtrot is an overrated album just full of excellent songs ;)
I tasted this cd with my teenage kids. They basically listen to radio tunes and radio classic rock but they actually approved the Cd right away... the whole CD not just the "nice" songs I was also pleasantly surprised..
nice way to make it through a Friday afternoon!
played this CD in my car the other day on a roadtrip with my 61-y.o. mother. I was fully prepared to hear how much she hated all my music, but she surprised me...she liked most of it, esp. Wilco!
and she asked me if I had any Soundgarden CDs...I felt so inadequate when I realized that I do not!
brighthue wrote:
Roger.
Wilco.
I always thought that scores of wilco songs would be smashing hits if only the arrangements were slightly more catchy and, yes, predictable.
I think this song proves my point ...
federico
this is a great set, dylan, costello, wilco...
I know it's already in the can, but I am still praying that the groove continues.
Thanks Bill
thats three wilco songs in two hours. they aren't that good.
Barry wrote:
yes, yankee hotel foxtrot is an overrated album just full of excellent songs ;)
Bingo, Barry! This is nothing if not sublime.
yes, yankee hotel foxtrot is an overrated album just full of excellent songs ;)
I think Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is an overrated album but this is definitely a great song.
sherp wrote:
Lotta Wilco today. Love it!
Roger.
LLMikeJ wrote:
I recently heard a segment on NPR about these weird short-wave radio transmissions consisting of only numbers or letters that seemed kind of like gibberish (as in Yankee Hotel Foxtrot). These transmissions were (as you may have guessed) encoded messages destined for CIA or KGB secret agents, sent from their government during the cold war era. The transmissions have been recorded as the Conet Project . Really interesting stuff. This is where the sample of the girl's voice saying "yankee hotel foxtrot" on one of the tracks comes from.
NPR link
Ohhh, so "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" is probably a secret codename or something. Now I have to know what it means!!
Funny, this feels like an old pop hit.....
I recently heard a segment on NPR about these weird short-wave radio transmissions consisting of only numbers or letters that seemed kind of like gibberish (as in Yankee Hotel Foxtrot). These transmissions were (as you may have guessed) encoded messages destined for CIA or KGB secret agents, sent from their government during the cold war era. The transmissions have been recorded as the Conet Project . Really interesting stuff. This is where the sample of the girl's voice saying "yankee hotel foxtrot" on one of the tracks comes from.
NPR link
Lotta Wilco today. Love it!
I like Wilco but don't consider myself a "true believer" however this is a really great song. Great vocal melody.
This is one of the better songs from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
I love YHF, but I am actually one of the few to say that I think A Ghost Is Born is a much better album. That's right; Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, in my opinion, is overrated. And that's not to say that Wilco is a bad band - in fact, they're one of my favorites. Everyone seems to hate them for their latest release, and I can't understand why, I really can't. I think it is the best they've released to date. Everything from the lyrics, to the band's style to the production values are absolutely brilliant.
Uh. THIS is an amazing album. Very integrated & highly listenable. Recommend!
New year resolution.
Go to more Wilco shows.
Hold it.
Let's just go to more RnR shows.
Period.
oh wise and admirable stranger,
what is RnR?