Suspended from Class

Yes, I think this is about her having a crush on a teacher. She says the words "out of line" and "telling twice" which are the sort of things a teacher would say, or things that are somehow linked to teachers in general. And obviously the "Suspended From Class" bit.

This is indeed a super catchy song. The delivery of the lyrics are what make this song extra good. Camera Obscura has a way of portraying complex situations in a purely objective way that shows the emotions without ever being cheesy. Magnificent.

The meaning behind this song is obviously about a girls confused feelings for a teacher. Though I feel like there's more than one relationship.

It sounds to me, like she's got a friend in class who likes her. She is addressing him when she says "I'll be a friend to you" and "its not love". She's talking to a boy she's with. "I'm not interesed in breaking your heart. I'll leave that to lookers like him" is referring to the teacher. It's an interesting reference - she feels the teacher is breaking her heart, she leaves that to lookers like him because it has been left to him. she doesn't want to get involved with anyone when she knows of the feelings because it would carry through to whomever she was with. He's in the back of her mind while they spend time together. when they dance and she says "in truth it is the last thing i have in my mind." she asks if she's way out of line and says "i won't need telling twice" because she knows she is, yet she is confused about how to deal with it.

"He wants to kiss" refers to this boy and she's going to have to keep her "feelings inside" - feelings for the teacher. Its sort of a very watered down double life.

i don't see that you necessarily need to posit a 'double relationship'

i figured it was a reciprocated thing between the teacher and her, but both are aware that it's just a superficial crush that doesn't really go beyond the physical. the obstacles that necessitate 'keeping it inside' are, naturally, the pedagogical relationship and the inevitable ramifications which result from that.

Hey, couple suggestions on the lyrics:

"I'll leave that to lookers like him,"

and

"it was subtle, but I think that you grasped"

exactly, "i'll leave that to lookers like him" and "it was subtle, but I think that you grasped"

she feels like she's doing something bad, but doesn't know what she's doing. the song is peaceful, almost funny because of the honesty in it. i think she likes some boy, but doesn't know why, and doesn't want to mix him up.

Its a nice, sweet, catchy song.

What a gorgeous song.

It's such a nice song that it's just plain funny when she says "arse" it's unexpected from a song like this. Brilliant though.

does anybody know if Camera obscura's Tracyann Cambpell is anything to ex Belle & Sebastian chello godess Isobel Campbell? I mean they're both from Glasgow, they both look great, they're both relly tender, sing very nice and similar music...

perhaps she's lusting after a teacher?