The meaning behind Kid Rock’s “Picture” is full of heartache, self-harm, and hard pills to swallow. The bitter ballad, featuring Sheryl Crow, is a desperate “I love you” left lingering in the ether.
Videos by American Songwriter
It’s not often the polarizing rock-rapper-turned-country-rocker offers listeners a peek at the heart on his sleeve. However, the man who gave us “Bawitdaba” and “Balls in Your Mouth” does just that with his liquored-up, coke-fueled heartbreak hit.
The Versions
There are two versions of “Picture” that exist – one that is a duet with Crow and one that sees vocal accompaniment from Allison Moorer.
Kid Rock and Crow penned and recorded the song together. While their version appears on Kid’s 2001 album Cocky, label disputes kept their version from being released as a single. A version was re-recorded with Moorer taking on Crow’s part, which acted as the commercial release. Despite this, the original with Crow was the one that made the song a success and cemented “Picture” as the heartbreaking song that captivates to this day.
The Lyrics
A story told from two different perspectives, “Picture” depicts the dissolution of a relationship, one strained by the temptations that come with being on the road.
Set to simple strums, delicate plucking, and sparse keys, Kid Rock opens the song. Livin’ my life in a slow hell, he sings, Different girl every night at the hotel / I ain’t seen the sunshine in three damn days / Been fuelin’ up on cocaine and whiskey / Wish I had a good girl to miss me / Lord, I wonder if I’ll ever change my ways.
Where he is usually proud to wear his wild times like a badge of honor, the rocker takes a beat to reflect on days of fast living and cheap thrills. Kid sings the chorus, I put your picture away / Sat down and cried today / I can’t look at you while I’m lying next to her.
Crow comes in, playing the part of the jilted lover and the person in the picture. I called you last night in the hotel, she sings, hip to the fact that he’s been unfaithful. Everyone knows, but they won’t tell / But their half-hearted smiles tell me something just ain’t right / I’ve been waitin’ on you for a long time / Fuelin’ up on heartaches and cheap wine / I ain’t heard from you in three damn nights.
She sings the chorus, revealing the kicker: she has a secret of her own. I put your picture away / I wonder where you’ve been / I can’t look at you while I’m lyin’ next to him.
A back-and-forth ensues as the two sing the next verse together. Crow sings, I saw you yesterday with an old friend, with Kid responding, It was the same old same “How have you been?” They both admit, Since you’ve been gone, my world’s been dark and grey.
Kid confesses You reminded me of brighter days, with Crow answering, I hoped you were comin’ home to stay. Heading in opposite directions, Crow was headed to church while Kid was on his way to drink her away. I thought about you for a long time, they both sing, Can’t seem to get you off my mind / I can’t understand why we’re living life this way.
The song comes to a close with the pair singing, I found your picture today / I swear I’ll change my ways / I just called to say I want you / To come back home. Whether they make amends isn’t really clear, but where there is hurt, there is also a lot of love left between the two narrators who confess, I just called to say I love you / Come back home.
Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.