Picture to Burn
Single | Taylor Swift (2006)
Background and Release
«The guy I wrote this song about, I didn't really ever 'officially' date. We almost dated. It really bothered me that he was so cocky and that's where that song came from. After school, I would come into downtown. I had a publishing deal with Sony, and I would write songs every single day, exactly what I felt. I found myself just sitting there with my guitar going, 'I hate his stupid truck that he doesn't let me drive. He's such a redneck! Oh my Gosh!' That actually became the chorus to the song, so that's one of the most honest songs I've ever written.»
Lyrical Theme
«Before I sing this song, I always try to tell the audience that I really do try to be a nice person. But if you break my heart, hurt my feelings, or are really mean to me, I'm going to write a song about you. Haha. This song is the perfect example.»
Teenage Feelings
Big Machine CEO Scott Borchetta never thought that the song was too harsh. He said it was the second or third song Taylor played for him when they first met. “That was the song where I pointed and said, ‘That’s a hit song,'” he recounted. “I had her play it again; I heard the first line and said, ‘Did you really just sing that?'”
Music Video
Live Performances
Taylor later performed “Picture to Burn” on all venues of her first headlining concert tour, the “Fearless Tour” (2009-2010). Since closing out the tour, and after 291 performances, she hasn’t acknowledged the song in concert again.
Critical Reception
Commercial Performance
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
State the obvious, I didn’t get my perfect fantasy
I realize you love yourself more than you could ever love me
So go and tell your friends that I’m obsessive and crazy
That’s fine, you won’t mind if I say
By the way
[Chorus]
I hate that stupid old pickup truck you never let me drive
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
[Verse 2]
There’s no time for tears
I’m just sitting here planning my revenge
There’s nothing stopping me from going out with all of your best friends
And if you come around saying sorry to me
My daddy’s gonna show you how sorry you’ll be
[Chorus]
I hate that stupid old pickup truck you never let me drive
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
[Bridge]
If you’re missing me you’d better keep it to yourself
Cause coming back around here would be bad for your health
[Chorus Variation]
‘Cause I hate that stupid old pickup truck you never let me drive
You’re a redneck heartbreak who’s really bad at lying
So watch me strike a match on all my wasted time
In case you haven’t heard
I really, really hate that stupid old pickup truck you never let me drive
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
[Outro]
Burn, burn, burn, baby, burn
Just another picture to burn
Baby, burn
“That’s fine you won’t mind if I say” was originally recorded as “That’s fine, I’ll tell mine you’re gay”.
Album | Taylor Swift | |||
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Released | October 24, 2006 | |||
Recorded | 2006 | |||
Studio | The Castles Studios-A (Nashville) Sound Cottage (Nashville) Sound Emporium (Nashville) | |||
Genre | Country | |||
Length | 2:55 | |||
Label | Big Machine Records | |||
Songwriters | Taylor Swift Liz Rose | |||
Producer | Nathan Chapman | |||
TAYLOR SWIFT CHRONOLOGY | ||||
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