This Picture

This Picture is a single by alternative rock band Placebo. Released in July 2003, it was lifted from their album Sleeping with Ghosts. "This Picture" was remixed by Junior Sanchez for the bonus remix CD of "Once More with Feeling (album)". It tells the story of a relationship involving sadomasochism and an abusive female in a position of dominance. In the lyrics, the phrase "ashtray girl" is meant to refer to a woman who uses her partner as an "emotional ashtray"; "cigarette burns on my chest" makes reference to a supposed particular fetish of James Dean. As singer/lyricist Brian Molko commented, prior to its performance at a concert: "There's an old story that somebody told me once about James Dean. For those of you who don't know this yet, James Dean was gay. Yes, I'm sorry, it's true. He had a particular fetish where he liked to have cigarettes stubbed out on his chest. That's kind of an image that's always stayed with me, and part of the inspiration for this song." The music video features Italian actress, Asia Argento.

[Intro] I hold an image of the ashtray girl Of cigarette burns on my chest I wrote a poem that described her world And put our friendship to the test And late at night Whilst on all fours She used to watch me kiss the floor What's wrong with this picture? What's wrong with this picture? [Verse 1] Farewell the ashtray girl Forbidden snowflake Beware this troubled world Watch out for earthquakes Goodbye to open sores To broken semaphore You know we miss her We miss her picture [Chorus] Sometimes it's fated Disintegrated For fear of growing old Sometimes it's fated Assassinated For fear of growing old [Verse 2] Farewell the ashtray girl Angelic fruitcake Beware this troubled world Control your intake Goodbye to open sores Goodbye and furthermore You know we miss her We miss her picture [Chorus] Sometimes it's fated Disintegrated For fear of growing old Sometimes it's fated Assassinated For fear of growing old [Bridge] Hang on Though we try It's gone Hang on Though we try It's gone [Chorus] Sometimes it's fated Disintegrated For fear of growing old Sometimes it's fated Assassinated For fear of growing old [Outro] Can’t stop growing old Can’t stop growing old Can’t stop growing old Can’t stop growing old Can’t stop growing old