Today marks the release of Harry Styles’ new single Aperture. Rather than F stops, depth of field and bokeh, it’s about letting love and light into your life, apparently – just as camera lets in light.
We see what he did there, so we’ve been inspired by Harry to compile a list of our top 10 photography-related songs. As you’ll see, things have come a long way since British cheeky chappie Tommy Steele recorded “Flash, Bang, Wallop! What a Picture” in 1967…
Some of our top 10 songs are to do with taking pictures, others are about looking back on pictures, some reference photographic products and some name-check actual photographers, so it’s an eclectic and entertaining list to enjoy on a January day.
Of course, our list is not definitive, and you’re are sure to have your own favourite photography-related tunes – so do get in touch via the social media links at the end.
Please note too that our list is not in any order of preference or favourites – after all, it would be a brave soul who pits Lady Ga Ga against Taylor Swift, not to mention A Flock of Seagulls…
Kodachrome by Paul Simon
Simon name-checks Kodak’s iconic photographic film in this toe tapper from 1973, using it to evoke nostalgic memories of a past when everything seemed brighter and the colours more saturated (even though the reality might have been rather different). It’s certainly the stand-out song about 35mm film – until somebody releases a track called Tri-X, Portra or Velvia, that is.
Paparazzi by Lady Ga Ga
The big G’s raucous dance-pop classic was a highlight of her debut album in 2008, and captures the complex and conflicted relationship between celebrities and the then-ubiquitous packs of paparazzi – with celebs craving the interest and exposure on the one hand, while increasingly resenting the intrusion of privacy on the other.
‘I’m your biggest fan,’ go the lyrics. ‘I’ll follow you until you love me, Papa, paparazzi’.
Girls on Film by Duran Duran
More quintessentially 80s than drum synths and big hair, Girls on Film sees Simon Le Bon and the boys focus on another complicated relationship between photographer and subject – this time the subject being a model.
The opening seconds of the video will bring a tear to the eye of anyone missing the days when analogue cameras ruled the earth; the video also turned Duran Duran into MTV superstars.
Photograph by Ed Sheeran
Bringing us back down to earth with a more contemplative and moving track, Ed examines how photographs can help ease the challenges of long-distance relationships, or just being away from home a lot. Whether you are Sheeran-ite or not, Ed’s economy of expression is surely to be applauded.
‘We keep this love in a photograph / We made these memories for ourselves / Where our eyes are never closing / Hearts are never broken / And time’s forever frozen still.’ Apparently he broke up with the subject of the song, but it’s the thought that counts.
Wishing I Had a Photograph of You by Flock of Seagulls
Forever assured their place in popular culture thanks to Samuel L Jackson’s one-liner in Pulp Fiction, these synth-pop uber-haircuts also had a sensitive side, exemplified by this song.
Apparently lead singer Mike Score fell for a girl he met on the band’s first US tour and said he’d get a photograph of her next time. She nixed the idea, saying he’d soon forget her when the band hit the big time.
Now, all this angst could have been avoided if smartphones had been around in 1982, but then we wouldn’t have the song.
Pictures of You by The Cure
Staying with the 80s, Goth godfather Robert Smith here wrestles with one of the great contradictions and connundrums of photography – many images purport to capture reality, but of course, they are an edited version of reality, not the real thing. And how do you define ‘reality’ anyway? Maybe we should just let the lyrics do the talking…
‘I’ve been looking so long at these pictures of you/That I almost believe that they’re real/I’ve been living so long with my pictures of you/That I almost believe that the pictures are all I can feel.’
Picture This by Blondie
Blondie lyricist and singer Debbie Harry was also yearning for a photo keepsake of her significant other – In this case, bandmate and real-life mate, Chris Stein. Apparently she was inspired after seeing Chris in the shower, but let’s not go there… Picture This was a huge hit, so the record company definitely didn’t take a bath on it.
Picture to Burn by Taylor Swift
Taylor, meanwhile, has no time to be sentimental about photos of her ex – in this case, a good ol’ boy with a pick-up truck who pissed her off big-style. However good the exposure or composition, these pictures are destined for a fiery fate.
‘You’re a redneck heartbreak who’s really bad at lying/So watch me strike a match on all my wasted time/As far as I’m concerned, you’re just another picture to burn.’ Now steady on!
Sean Flynn by The Clash
It’s hard to find well-known songs about named photographers, but this track fits the bill, taken from the band’s critically acclaimed 1982 album, Combat Rock.
Sean Flynn, the son of actor Erroll, covered the Vietnam war as a photojournalist before disappearing in Cambodia in 1970 (Flynn’s close friend, the British documentary photographer Tim Page, was convinced he was executed by the Khmer Rouge).
The song’s lyrics are more concerned with atmosphere and allusion than biography, however, reflecting Clash frontman Joe Strummer’s fascination with the Vietnam war.
Hey Ya by OutKast
This high-energy number, now opening a wedding reception somewhere near you, is also notable for name-checking Polaroid film. ‘Shake it like a Polaroid picture’ goes the lyric from OutKast’s 2003 floor filler, but it proved to be a mixed blessing for the Polaroid company.
Yes, it helped to boost Polaroid’s image and sales during a difficult time, but they also had to remind customers NOT to shake the image as it could damage it. So even free advertising can come at a cost…
Two bonus B-sides
Photograph by Def Leppard
While the Sheffield hair rockers won’t win any prizes for imaginative song titles, this riff-tastic pop-metal workout focusses on people’s need to posses the subject of a photograph – even they though they are unobtainable. Hence the Marilyn Monroe lookalike in the video, apparently.
Photographs by Rhianna & will.i.am
Rhianna is in more reflective mood on this cut, realising that all she has left from a failed relationships are some photos. Unlike Taylor Swift, however, she doesn’t appear to be planning to set fire to them any time soon. Which is nice.
