"Picture to Burn" is the second track from American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift’s self-titled debut studio album, Taylor Swift, released on October 24, 2006, through Big Machine Records. The song became the fourth single from the album on February 3, 2008.
Composition[]
The lyrics describe Taylor's dissatisfaction with her ex-boyfriend (whom she describes as "just another picture to burn"), and her plans to seek revenge on him.[1] Before performing this song, Swift says, "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." The song is written in the key of G major, set in common time. The chord progression throughout the entire song, except the bridge, is G-Am-C-D.
Music video[]
As in Swift's other videos for single releases, "Picture to Burn"'s music video was directed by Trey Fanjoy.[2] The music video starts off with Swift and a friend (played by her real life best friend Abigail Anderson)[3] looking at a picture of Swift and her ex-boyfriend, before sitting in their Ford Mustang and spying on him and his new girlfriend. Swift begins daydreaming about trashing her ex-boyfriend's house, then burns the picture. In an interview with CMT, Swift stated, "The storyline of the video is, if you break up with me, my band will ransack your house."[3] (The video uses the radio edit version of the song.)
Hidden message[]
Hidden message: Date nice boys.
Audio[]
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]
And if you're missing me
You'd better keep it to yourself
'Cause coming back around here would be bad for your health
[Chorus]
'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
You're just another picture to burn
Baby, burn
[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, I'll tell mine you're gay
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]
'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
As far as I'm concerned, you're just another picture to burn
[Bridge]
And if you're missing me
You'd better keep it to yourself
'Cause coming back around here would be bad for your health
[Chorus]
'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
You're just another picture to burn
Baby, burn
Taymoji pack[]
 If you absolutely have to toilet paper someone’s house, go with 1-ply. You’ll save trees.  Matches were invented after the lighter. Probably.  Good from far but far from good.  Bullseye!  No. No. No.  The picture I understand, but this is going overboard.  As far as I’m concerned, you’re just another picture to burn.  You set my heart on fire.  Box |
Track listing[]
Promotional US CD single[]
- "Picture to Burn" (Radio Edit) - 2:55
- "Picture to Burn" (Album Version) - 2:57
- "I'm Only Me When I'm with You" - 3:36
Chart performance[]
| Chart (2008–2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 28 |
| U.S. Billboard Pop 100 | 49 |
| Canadian Radio & Records Country Singles | 1 |
| Canadian Hot 100 | 48 |
Awards and nominations[]
"Picture to Burn" received three awards from three nominations.
| Year | Organization | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | SESAC Nashville Music Awards | Country Performance Activity Awards | Won |
| 2009 | BMI Country Awards | Publisher of the Year | Won |
| Award Winning Songs | Won |
Appearances in other media[]
The song, along with "Love Story" and "You Belong with Me", are featured in the video game Band Hero.
References[]
- ↑ Vercher, Brady (2008-01-26). "Taylor Swift - "Picture to Burn"". The 9513. http://www.the9513.com/taylor-swift-picture-to-burn/. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
- ↑ "Videos: Taylor Swift, "Picture To Burn"". CMT.com. http://www.cmt.com/videos/taylor-swift/215750/picture-to-burn.jhtml. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Taylor Swift Shares Story and Success of Award-Winning "Our Song"
| Taylor Swift | ||
|---|---|---|
| "Tim McGraw" • "Picture to Burn" • "Teardrops On My Guitar" • "A Place in This World" • "Cold as You" • "The Outside" • "Tied Together with a Smile" • "Stay Beautiful" • "Should've Said No" • "Mary's Song (Oh My My My)" • "Our Song" | ||
|
| Beautiful Eyes |
|---|
| "Beautiful Eyes" • "Should've Said No" (alternate version) • "Teardrops on My Guitar" (acoustic version) • "Picture to Burn" (radio edit) • "I'm Only Me When I'm With You" • "I Heart ?" |