There are lots of songs that deal with photos. Songs about family portraits, Polaroids, pictures of beautiful girls, snap shots, Nikon cameras, and picture books. All of these photos bring back memories sometimes good and sometimes bad. Here is a look at some of these songs.
Photographs and Memories
“Photographs and Memories” is the fifth track, on side one, of You Don’t Mess Around with Jim. It was the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Jim Croce, released in April 1972 by ABC Records. One of the saddest, most moving ballads to the memories of former lovers. This is the sole testimony of the intangibility of lost feelings,
the only proof that the loved one existed… even if she/he is still around, it’s not the same person that lives in the memories, and frozen in time in pictures. Photographs & Memories: His Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits album released on September 26, 1974. The album was Croce’s second posthumous release following his 1973 death in an airplane crash.
Photographs and Memories - written by Jim Croce
Photographs and memories
Christmas cards you sent to me
All that I have are these
To remember you
Memories that come at night
Take me to another time
Back to a happier day
When I called you mine
But we sure had a good time
When we started way back when
Morning walks and bedroom talks
Oh how I loved you then
Summer skies and lullabies
Nights we couldn't say good-bye
And of all of the things the we knew
Not a dream survived
Photographs and memories
All the love you gave to me
Somehow it just can't be true
That's all I've left of you
Polaroid
“Polaroid” is a song recorded by Australian country artist Keith Urban. The track was written by Griffen Palmer, Geoff Warburton, Steph Jones, Sam Fischer, and Mark Trussell, while Urban produced the track with Joey Moi. It was the third single released in Australia off Urban’s eleventh studio album The Speed of Now Part 1, and the first single off the album released in the United Kingdom.
Urban stated that when he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, he and his band lived in a “rundown” house, and someone had given them a Polaroid camera which they used to take many pictures that were hung up on their wall. Urban said “the idea that this couple in this photograph who were at a party that they didn’t really want to be at … And then, all these years later, they’re still together,” was a “great lyric”.
"Polaroid" written by Griffen Palmer, Geoff Warburton, Steph Jones, Sam Fischer, and Mark Trussell
Sometimes I forget who we were back then
That Saturday night stealin' cold beer and cigarettes
At a house we didn't know, wearin' our now vintage clothes
Lookin' at this photo
Oh, I remember someone saying, "Smile"
Who would have thought we'd still be smilin' now
We've come a long way
Since we were strangers in the basement
At a party we hated
Tryna make conversation
The night it was taken
I didn't have a clue
That someday I'd be something more
Than just a boy in a Polaroid with you
Ooh, mmm
Ooh, mmm
Too many times these moments they come and go
How lucky was I that our moment was set in stone
Even though the colors faded
And everybody changes
I'm holdin' on to this photo
Oh, I remember fawnin' just like that
And now it's kinda crazy lookin' back
We've come a long way
Since we were strangers in a basement
At a party we hated
Tryna make conversation
The night it was taken
I didn't have a clue
That someday I'd be something more
Than just a boy in a Polaroid with you
Ooh, mmm
Ooh, mmm
Oh, I remember someone saying, "Smile"
Who would have thought we'd still be smilin' now
We've come a long way
Since we were strangers in a basement
At a party we hated
Tryna make conversation
The night it was taken
I didn't have a clue
That someday I'd be something more
Than just a boy in a Polaroid with you
Ooh, mmm-mmm, with you
Ooh, tryna make conversation
The night it was taken
I didn't have a clue
That someday I'd be something more
Than just a boy in a Polaroid with you
Photograph
“Photograph” is a song by Ringo Starr, released in 1973 as a single from his album “Ringo.” Co-written by Starr and George Harrison, the song is a heartfelt reflection on the passage of time and the enduring power of memories captured in photographs. Its melodic simplicity and sincere lyrics struck a chord with listeners, and “Photograph” became one of Starr’s most successful solo releases, reaching the top of the charts in the United States.
Starr and Harrison began writing the song in the South of France in May 1971. Ringo had hired a luxury yacht, the Marala, for the duration of the Cannes Film Festival. The pair played “Photograph” during an evening get-together that included their wives Maureen Starkey and Pattie Boyd, and singer Cilla Black. They all contributed ideas for the lyrics.
The song features Harrison’s distinctive slide guitar playing and the collaborative spirit of the former Beatles. “Photograph” not only showcases Starr’s vocal talents but also highlights the enduring camaraderie among the band members even after their official breakup. With its nostalgic and poignant themes, the song remains a classic representation of the musical legacy of Ringo Starr and the Beatles.
"Photograph" written by Richard Starkey and George Harrison
Every time I see your face
It reminds me of the places we used to go
But all I've got is a photograph
And I realize you're not coming back anymore
I thought I'd make it
The day you went away
But I can't make it
'Til you come home again to stay
I can't get used to living here
While my heart is broke, my tears I cry for you
I want you here to have and hold
As the years go by, and we grow old and gray
Now you're expecting me to live without you
But that's not something that I'm looking forward to
I can't get used to living here
While my heart is broke, my tears I cry for you
I want you here to have and hold
As the years go by, and we grow old and gray
Every time I see your face
It reminds me of the places we used to go
But all I've got is a photograph
And I realize you're not coming back anymore
Every time I see your face
It reminds me of the places we used to go
But all I've got is a photograph
And I realize you're not coming back anymore
Every time I see your face
It reminds me of the places we used to go
But all I've got is a photograph
Photograph
“Photograph” is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran from his second studio album, × (2014). Sheeran co-penned the song with Snow Patrol guitarist Johnny McDaid in a hotel room in Kansas. The pair wrote together while Sheeran supported the band on the North American leg of the band’s Fallen Empires Tour in 2012.
Sheeran described this cut about the pain of love when you’re separated from your sweetheart to The Daily Telegraph as his “collateral” song. “If the rest of the album is s–t we can sell it on this one,” he explained. The Emil Nava directed music video features footage taken from old family home movies of Ed Sheeran. The clip takes viewers on a journey through the singer’s life from a tiny baby and a little kid playing various instruments to a teenager on his guitar and the present day performing in front of huge crowds.
"Photograph" written by Edward Christopher Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Martin Peter Harrington, and Thomas E. Leonard Loving can hurt, loving can hurt sometimes But it's the only thing that I know When it gets hard, you know it can get hard sometimes It is the only thing makes us feel alive We keep this love in a photograph We made these memories for ourselves Where our eyes are never closing Hearts are never broken And time's forever frozen still So you can keep me Inside the pocket of your ripped jeans Holding me closer 'til our eyes meet You won't ever be alone, wait for me to come home Loving can heal, loving can mend your soul And it's the only thing that I know, know I swear it will get easier Remember that with every piece of ya Hmm, and it's the only thing we take with us when we die Hmm, we keep this love in this photograph We made these memories for ourselves Where our eyes are never closing Hearts were never broken And time's forever frozen, still So you can keep me Inside the pocket of your ripped jeans Holding me closer 'til our eyes meet You won't ever be alone And if you hurt me That's okay, baby, only words bleed Inside these pages, you just hold me And I won't ever let you go Wait for me to come home Wait for me to come home Wait for me to come home Wait for me to come home Oh, you can fit me Inside the necklace you got when you were sixteen Next to your heartbeat where I should be Keep it deep within your soul And if you hurt me Well, that's okay, baby, only words bleed Inside these pages, you just hold me And I won't ever let you go When I'm away, I will remember how you kissed me Under the lamppost back on Sixth street Hearing you whisper through the phone "Wait for me to come home"
Pictures of Lily
“Pictures of Lily” is a song by the British rock band The Who, released in 1967. Written by the band’s guitarist and primary songwriter, Pete Townshend, the song tells the story of a young man who is having trouble sleeping, and his father recommends pictures of Lily to help him sleep. The twist in the narrative comes when the protagonist discovers that Lily is actually a pin-up girl, and the images of her are causing his infatuation and sleepless nights.
Musically, “Pictures of Lily” features the distinctive guitar work of Pete Townshend and the powerful vocals of Roger Daltrey. The song was well-received and became a hit for The Who, reaching the top 10 in the UK and the US. It remains a classic example of The Who’s ability to blend rock, pop, and storytelling into a compelling and memorable song.
"Pictures of Lily" written by Peter Townshend I used to wake up in the morning I used to feel so bad I got so sick of having sleepless nights I went and told my dad He said, "Son now here's some little something" And stuck them on my wall And now my nights ain't quite so lonely In fact I, I don't feel bad at all Pictures of Lily made my life so wonderful Pictures of Lily helped me sleep at night Pictures of Lily solved my childhood problems Pictures of Lily helped me feel alright Pictures of Lily Lily, oh Lily Lily, oh Lily Pictures of Lily And then one day things weren't quite so fine I fell in love with Lily I asked my dad where Lily I could find He said, "Son, now don't be silly" "She's been dead since 1929" Oh, how I cried that night If only I'd been born in Lily's time It would have been alright Pictures of Lily made my life so wonderful Pictures of Lily helped me sleep at night For me and Lily are together in my dreams And I ask you, "Hey mister, have you ever seen" "Pictures of Lily?"
Family Portrait
“Family Portrait” is a song by American singer Pink from her third studio album, “Missundaztood,” released in 2001. Co-written by Pink and Scott Storch, the song addresses themes of family dysfunction and the impact of parental separation on a child. In “Family Portrait,” Pink reflects on the pain and confusion caused by her parents’ divorce when she was a child, expressing the desire for a united and happy family.
Even though Pink’s parents got divorced when she was 9 years old and she wrote the original poem at the time, she didn’t record the song until she was 21. “I tend to hold onto things,” she says.
The song’s poignant lyrics are complemented by Pink’s emotive vocal delivery. “Family Portrait” received critical acclaim for its honesty and vulnerability, and it became a commercial success, resonating with listeners who could relate to its themes of familial strife. The song showcases Pink’s versatility as an artist and her willingness to address personal and challenging topics in her music.
"Family Portrait" written by Pink and Scott Storch Uh, uh, some deep shit, uh, uh Momma please stop cryin, I can't stand the sound Your pain is painful and its tearin' me down I hear glasses breakin as I sit up in my bed I told dad you didn't mean those nasty things you Said You fight about money, bout me and my brother And this I come home to, this is my shelter It ain't easy growin up in World War III Never knowin what love could be, you'll see I don't want love to destroy me like it has done My family Can we work it out? Can we be a family? I promise I'll be better, Mommy I'll do anything Can we work it out? Can we be a family? I promise I'll be better, Daddy please don't Leave Daddy please stop yellin, I can't stand the sound Make mama stop cryin, cuz I need you around My mama she loves you, no matter what she says It's true I know that she hurts you, but remember I love You, too I ran away today, ran from the noise, ran away Don't wanna go back to that place, but don't have No choice, no way It ain't easy growin up in World War III Never knowin what love could be, well I've seen I don't want love to destroy me like it did my Family Can we work it out? Can we be a family? I promise I'll be better, Mommy I'll do anything Can we work it out? Can we be a family? I promise I'll be better, Daddy please don't Leave In our family portrait, we look pretty happy Let's play pretend, let's act like it comes Naturally I don't wanna have to split the holidays I don't want two addresses I don't want a step-brother anyways And I don't want my mom to have to change her Last name In our family portrait we look pretty happy We look pretty normal, let's go back to that In our family portrait we look pretty happy Let's play pretend, act like it goes naturally In our family portrait we look pretty happy (Can we work it out? Can we be a family?) We look pretty normal, let's go back to that (I promise I'll be better, Mommy I'll do Anything) In our family portrait we look pretty happy (Can we work it out? Can we be a family?) Let's play pretend act and like it comes so Naturally (I promise I'll be better, Daddy please don't Leave) In our family portrait we look pretty happy (Can we work it out? Can we be a family?) We look pretty normal, let's go back to that (I promise I'll be better, Daddy please don't Leave) Daddy don't leave Daddy don't leave Daddy don't leave Turn around please Remember that the night you left you took my Shining star? Daddy don't leave Daddy don't leave Daddy don't leave Don't leave us here alone Mom will be nicer I'll be so much better, I'll tell my brother Oh, I won't spill the milk at dinner I'll be so much better, I'll do everything right I'll be your little girl forever I'll go to sleep at night
Further Reading
Sources
- “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Don%27t_Mess_Around_with_Jim
- “Polaroid (Keith Urban song)” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polaroid_(Keith_Urban_song)
- The Beatles Bible. (n.d.). “Photograph.” Retrieved from https://www.beatlesbible.com/people/ringo-starr/songs/photograph/
- “Photograph (Ed Sheeran song)” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photograph_(Ed_Sheeran_song)
- “Photograph by Ed Sheeran” https://www.songfacts.com/facts/ed-sheeran/photograph
- Unterberger, R. (n.d.). “The Who Pictures of Lily.” AllMusic. Retrieved from https://www.allmusic.com/song/pictures-of-lily-mt0032877204
- The Who Official Website. (n.d.). “The Who Songs – Pictures of Lily.” Retrieved from https://www.thewho.com/music/singles/pictures-of-lily/
- “Pictures Of Lily by The Who” https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/the-who/pictures-of-lily
- Erlewine, S. T. (n.d.). “P!nk – Missundaztood.” AllMusic. Retrieved from https://www.allmusic.com/album/missundaztood-mw0000019880
