For Art Hack Day: Afterglow at transmediale 2014 I made the song 'Detective Camera' in to a karaoke version and asked other participants if they could sing the song without ever having seen or heard the text before. This video is the result.
"Published in 1892, with words by James Newland and music by George Le Brunn, 'Detective Camera' was performed by one of the greatest music hall artists, Dan Leno. It pokes fun at recent dramatic changes in photographic technology which, for the first time, enabled people to take spontaneous, candid photographs without the subject's knowledge or permission."
Don't wink or blink, or even think, but just stay where you are
I'll introduce myself to you - Detective camera
No matter what you do or say, I've got you on the spot
A house on fire's very warm, you'll find me twice as hot
(Patter: Hot, I've only got to look at a piece of bread, and it's toasted)
Chorus: Detective Camera, just stay where you are
In a trice I've got you nice. Look out, I spot you
Burglar or thief, sure to come to grief
Don't wink or blink, or even think
But look out, I've got you
Last week a loving couple were going to elope
When all were fast asleep, the young man tied a piece of rope
To his sweetheart's bedroom window, then whistled to his bride
And with her luggage down the rope she then commenced to slide
(Patter: A knot in the rope got me this picture)
Chorus: Detective Camera, just stay where you are
In a trice I've got you nice. Look out, I spot you
Burglar or thief, sure to come to grief
Don't wink or blink, or even think
But look out, I've got you.
I saw a sight far from right, 'twould make a parson swear
A fellow in the broad daylight, he kissed a girl so fair
He said he thought it was his wife, said I, 'You'll pay for this'
When right before my very eyes he kissed her such a kiss
(Patter: well I never. I have not heard a kiss like that since being vaccinated)
Chorus: Detective Camera, just stay where you are
In a trice I've got you nice. Look out, I spot you
Burglar or thief, sure to come to grief
Don't wink or blink, or even think
But look out, I've got you
(1892)
Art Hack Day: Afterglow, Transmediale, Berlin
Video produced by Martin Dunkelmann, Stephan Walsch, Steffen Hammerich, Julia Freyhoff from Arte Creative.
