"Pictures of You" is the fourth and final single from the British rock band the Cure's 1989 album Disintegration. Called "chilly goth-rock" and "accessible...synth-pop", the song has a single version which is a shorter edit of the album version. There are also two different remixes on two UK 12" singles, and other singles released around the world, one of which later appeared on Mixed Up as the Extended Dub Mix and differs significantly from the album version in arrangement in that incorporates wholly original drum and bass arrangements. The other is an extended remix of the original album version which, at 7:59, runs slightly longer than the album version. There is also an edit which was released on 12" in the US, titled "extended remix" as in the European and Australasian releases, but which runs for 6:40 rather than 7:59.
According to interviews, the inspiration of the song came when a fire broke loose in Robert Smith's home. After that day, Smith was going through the remains and came across his wallet which had pictures of his wife, Mary. The cover of the single is one of the pictures. The same picture was used as the cover of the "Charlotte Sometimes" single, but that version was heavily warped and distorted.
In 2011, the song was voted #283 on Rolling Stone's "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.
Music video
Pictures Of You - The Cure Lyrics - ( I do not own this song ) Lyrics to Pictures of you by The Cure!
The Tim Pope directed video was shot in Ballachulish, Scotland during the February 1990 "week of the big snow", with Robert Smith mentioning that he had never been colder before.
Covers
- Angie Hart's version was used for a TAC (Transport Accident Commission) ad campaign to combat speeding drivers.
- Lit covered the song for their 2004 eponymous album Lit.
In pop culture
- The song appeared in several TV shows and films including in one episode of the series Mr. Robot.
- The song appeared in the last few seconds of a Casey Neistat video titled "Instagram i love you".
- The song appeared in the 2012 film The Vow.
Track listing
- 7" single (1)
- "Pictures of You" (Single edit) â€" 4:46
- "Last Dance" (live) â€" 4:42
- 7" single (2)
- "Pictures of You" (Single edit) â€" 4:46
- "Prayers for Rain" (live) â€" 4:48
- 12" single (1)
- "Pictures of You" (Extended version) â€" 8:07
- "Last Dance" (live) â€" 4:41
- "Fascination Street" (live) â€" 5:23
- 12" single (2)
- "Pictures of You" (Strange mix) â€" 6:45
- "Prayers for Rain" (live) â€" 4:48
- "Disintegration" (live) â€" 7:54
- CD single
- "Pictures of You" (Single edit) â€" 4:46
- "Last Dance" (live) â€" 4:45
- "Fascination Street" (live) â€" 5:19
- "Prayers for Rain" (live) â€" 4:48
- "Disintegration" (live) â€" 7:54
- CD single (2)
- "Pictures of You" (Single edit) â€" 4:46
- "Last Dance" (live) â€" 4:45
- "Fascination Street" (live) â€" 5:19
Chart performance
Personnel
- Robert Smith â€" vocals, six-string bass, keyboards, producer
- Porl Thompson â€" guitar
- Simon Gallup â€" bass
- Boris Williams â€" drums
- Roger O'Donnell â€" keyboards
- Lol Tolhurst â€" "other instruments"
- Bryan 'Chuck' New â€" remix
References
External links
- Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics
- Pictures of You official video on YouTube