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The Camera Lies

from The Protest Songs by Cordelia Stephens

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about

Written at the beginning of the Me Too movement, this self-reflective song is about the role of bystanders in industries and institutions which are known to be exploitative and of which we are often beneficiaries.

lyrics

The Camera Lies

We see them rise and fall from grace. Fall way, way down.
Working so very hard for the good of this town. For the good of this town.

We know the camera lies. We know that portrait is framed.
The lighting’s rigged but we’re entertained.
We saw that sleight of hand, we know which news is fake.
The stage is raked but we’re entertained.

Truth loves the light. It's a moth to a flame.
Me too includes you as well. Who’s to blame?
Are we to blame?

We know the camera lies. We know that portrait is framed.
The lighting’s rigged but we’re entertained.
We saw that sleight of hand. We know which news is fake.
The stage is raked but we’re entertained.

You’re abusing your power, you’ve nothing to offer so beat it.
You can’t have it both ways though you may want your cake and to eat it.
You can keep your advantage, I’m so disenchanted,
Your fame and success brought you no happiness and you’re cruel.

We know the camera lies. We know that portrait is framed.
The lighting’s rigged but we’re entertained.
We saw that sleight of hand. We know which news is fake.
The stage is raked but we’re entertained. We're entertained.

credits

from The Protest Songs, released October 14, 2023
The Camera Lies performed by:

Cordelia Stephens- Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Brandon Wilde- Bass, Electric Guitar, Backup Vocals
Dylan Wissing- Drums, Percussion
Tony Lauria- Piano

All songs written by Cordelia Stephens

All songs produced by Brandon Wilde

Recorded and mixed by Brandon Wilde at Studio 76 in Kingston, NY

Drums and percussion were recorded by Dylan Wissing at Indie Studio Drummer in Hoboken, NJ.

Additional recording of piano by Len Monachello at Soundtronics Studio, Queens, NY.

Mastered by Fred Kevorkian at Kevorkian Mastering, Brooklyn, NY

Cover photograph by Jonathan Grassi

For my daughter, Isla Rose, who makes the world a better place.

Special thanks to: Riley McMahon, Pemberton Roach, Keith Robinson, Mary Jennings, Niall Connolly, and Big City Folk-Song Club members in whose company the song was conceived, written, and debuted.
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Cordelia Stephens New York, New York

Cordelia Stephens is an Anglo-American singer-songwriter whose voice combines power and vulnerability, and whose incisive songwriting explores the contradictions of modern life and love drawing on her musical influences such as Aimee Mann, Gillian Welch and Brandie Carlisle. Her third record, an EP called "The Protest Songs" was released in October 2023. ... more

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