CAMERON: "I wanted the music to feel confident, even when the words weren’t"
At 23, CAMERON is carving out a place for himself in Nashville, a city long associated with country music. Since releasing his debut single, "I Can Take You Home" in January 2025, he has embraced a bold pop sound that pairs infectious energy with emotional honesty. Inspired by artists such as Troye Sivan and Tate McRae, and working with producers Logan Lanning and Gino Quartucci, CAMERON creates songs meant to offer listeners the same confidence and escape that pop music has given him.
"Love Me Like Your Ex" is a very evocative title. What was the idea or personal experience that first inspired the song?
I had a situationship that would bring up their ex constantly. At some point I realized they were still infatuated with their ex and it made me feel not good enough.They would bring their ex up every chance they could in a flattering way. It made me feel like maybe I had to change myself to be more like their ex so I could have a chance. At the time I felt so desperate to do so I lost sight of self respect. If you have to change who you are for approval, they aren’t your soulmate. Keep it moving.
The track explores the complicated emotions that can exist between past and present relationships. What did you want listeners to feel when hearing it for the first time?
I want whoever listens to this song to feel like they aren’t alone in seeking approval and validation for the sake of a chance at love. Sonically, I wanted the track to sound like the rush it feels when in competition and confidence. That being said, it's a song you can dance to in a club, scream in the car with friends, or bop your head to at a party. However, when you listen to the lyrics and dissect them you’re able to understand the vulnerability behind the curtains.
How did the song evolve during the writing and production process? Was the final version close to your original vision?
I have a long list of ideas for lyrics, concepts and potential song titles in my notes app. Everytime inspiration strikes I jot it down while at work, driving, or in the shower. ‘Love Me Like Your Ex’ is one concept from my notes that kept poking out. I made three different demos and gave up on the song. I couldn’t marry the idea to the execution. My producers (Logan Lanning and Gino Quartucci) were wrapping up our previous song ‘Call It Off’ while planning for a new song. I brought up the ‘Love Me Like Your Ex’ concept, and the next session they were already laying a beat down to the idea when I walked in and we got to writing. Once all three of us wrote together the song came together how it was meant to. I feel like it was important to have all three of our perspectives in order for the song to obtain its full potential.
Is there a particular lyric or moment in "Love Me Like Your Ex" that feels especially meaningful to you?
There’s two moments that stick out to me! First is the line “Am I fallin’ for a fable? Love him now you’ll love me later” Those lyrics really capture the theme of the whole song perfectly. With delusion, comparison, competition, envy and confidence within the theme. The second one is “Push me on the bed, pull me like a thread.” That line I'll let you dissect yourself.
How does "Love Me Like Your Ex" represent where you are creatively right now, and what does it suggest about the direction of your next music?
It gave me confidence in trusting my intuition as a new artist. I have a lot of people in my ear telling me what direction to go, and the truth is I'm so green nobody really knows the right answer yet. This single taught me to trust my intuition and not to throw an idea away just because it wasn’t perfect the first few drafts. I always hang onto old ideas, because you never know when they can be repurposed into something new.
Follow CAMERON
Instagram / Soundcloud / YouTube / Spotify
