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Tom McRae — Keep Your Picture Clear
Album: King of Cards
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1295









Released: 2007
Length: 3:54
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Here I go, back again
Sliding off the ceiling
Was I gone for long?
Did I just flip the switch?

Across the street away from me
A man is singing 'Sympathy for the Devil'
And he's getting all the words wrong.
His newspaper flies desperately
But words aren't wings; like gravity
They'll keep you here.
It's a theory to subscribe to
But you know you're being lied to

So keep your picture clear
Keep your picture clear

Stay awake, the lines are drawn
You're never right until you're wrong
In the eyes of the world.
And a picture tells a thousand lies
Little dots in black and white
You've no idea
The strongest will survive
But it's the scum that always rises

So keep your picture clear
Keep your picture clear
Keep your picture clear

And you talk just like a diplomat
But hide the gun behind your back
And leaders need a bloody war
Congratulations, this is yours
Looking through the history books
Of liars, cheats, and petty crooks

They'll print your picture clear
Print your picture clear
Keep your picture clear

So close another file
Of revolution turned to style
We're so tired of walking blind
Growing fat in hungry times
Keep your picture clear

Keep your picture clear
Keep your picture clear
Keep your picture clear
Keep your picture clear
Comments (101)add comment
Love the dynamics.
Posted 1 year ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
3.55 minutes?
Posted 3 years ago by Shipp    [ Reply ]
I mean, it's pretty good, but nothing I haven't heard many times already.
Posted 3 years ago by acolt    [ Reply ]
Always nice when RP plays a song from my own personal music library in addition to exposing me to new sounds. I listened to Tom McRae in the 90s when I was a teen and he's held solid over the years of still being a great choice 
Posted 4 years ago by TrevorWGoodchild    [ Reply ]
I really like the surprise ending.
Posted 4 years ago by whaleboneman    [ Reply ]
The opening verse line about getting the lyrics wrong for Sympathy for the Devil also reminds me of John Melloncamp's Key West Intermezzo line "This loud Cuban band is crucifying John Lennon."

Anyway, I think this song is good.  It really builds up to a great ending. 
Posted 4 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
N O .
Posted 4 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
I like the drums...
Posted 5 years ago by ImaOldman    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

You've convinced me....6→7....maybe →8 soon!
 
8 today....I like when a song references another song I like (Sympathy for the Devil) and LONG LIVE RP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Love it!
Posted 5 years ago by rashel    [ Reply ]
This is top stuff.  Instant 7 and rising.  I need to check this guy out ...
Posted 5 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:
Yeah, I know  - Sex, Politics and Religion, but
Read these lyrics before you go to vote...........

 
You've convinced me....6→7....maybe →8 soon!
Posted 6 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Yeah, I know  - Sex, Politics and Religion, but
Read these lyrics before you go to vote...........
Posted 8 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 bronorb wrote:
Anyone have an opinion on the rest of this album? I love this.

 
Erm, two years after your comment, but... King of Cards is his weakest album, but it holds some gems (most of which you can hear on RP). I recommend Just Like Blood (experimental, cool production), the more organic and introspective All Maps Welcome (all-time favourite) and the most recent Did I Sleep And Miss The Border (more recent political ranting, awesome band). 
Posted 8 years ago by Marko_S    [ Reply ]
 bam23 wrote:
I absolutely will not accuse him of "ripping off" anyone, a common enough phrase here, but "the scum also rises" was the title of a Hunter Thompson article in Rolling Stone back when Watergate was evolving. Referred to a disgraceful/disgraced president. Possibly Hunter Thompson was not the first to use the term, but it has stuck with me. Therefore, anyone who employs it merits some level of attention.
PS. For those unfamiliar with the literature, this is a play on The Sun Also Rises by E. Hemingway, a regional American writer.

 
The song is a rant against Tony Blair and his participation in the war against Iraq, so I'm guessing that the "rip off" is deliberate and quite fitting...
Posted 8 years ago by Marko_S    [ Reply ]
 bam23 wrote:
I absolutely will not accuse him of "ripping off" anyone, a common enough phrase here, but "the scum also rises" was the title of a Hunter Thompson article in Rolling Stone back when Watergate was evolving. Referred to a disgraceful/disgraced president. Possibly Hunter Thompson was not the first to use the term, but it has stuck with me. Therefore, anyone who employs it merits some level of attention.
PS. For those unfamiliar with the literature, this is a play on The Sun Also Rises by E. Hemingway, a regional American writer.

 
Hemingway based his title for that novel on a passage from the Old Testament; just about everything is borrowed in one way or another.  I've never seen Papa Ernie referred to as a "regional American writer" before though.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Pretty cool song,
Posted 9 years ago by MentalWedgie    [ Reply ]
 rascal wrote:
nice production...well crafted sound

 
But is the song and singing good? not in my ears ;)
Posted 10 years ago by OHMish    [ Reply ]
 Stephenater wrote:
Never noticed this song before, I like it!

 
Agreed!
Posted 10 years ago by Middleton    [ Reply ]
nice production...well crafted sound
Posted 10 years ago by rascal    [ Reply ]
 bam23 wrote:
I absolutely will not accuse him of "ripping off" anyone, a common enough phrase here, but "the scum also rises" was the title of a Hunter Thompson article in Rolling Stone back when Watergate was evolving. Referred to a disgraceful/disgraced president. Possibly Hunter Thompson was not the first to use the term, but it has stuck with me. Therefore, anyone who employs it merits some level of attention.
PS. For those unfamiliar with the literature, this is a play on The Sun Also Rises by E. Hemingway, a regional American writer.

 
Hi bam23,
thanks for your informative comment, but it eludes me why you refer to Ernest Hemingway as a "regional" American writer.
Posted 10 years ago by mkrueck    [ Reply ]
I absolutely will not accuse him of "ripping off" anyone, a common enough phrase here, but "the scum also rises" was the title of a Hunter Thompson article in Rolling Stone back when Watergate was evolving. Referred to a disgraceful/disgraced president. Possibly Hunter Thompson was not the first to use the term, but it has stuck with me. Therefore, anyone who employs it merits some level of attention.
PS. For those unfamiliar with the literature, this is a play on The Sun Also Rises by E. Hemingway, a regional American writer.
Posted 10 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
Anyone have an opinion on the rest of this album? I love this.
Posted 10 years ago by bronorb    [ Reply ]
Never noticed this song before, I like it!
Posted 11 years ago by Stephenater    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
 "Walk on the Wild Side" anyone?

 

Yup.

 

Nowhere near as interesting as walk on the wild side....


Posted 11 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
When it was playing first I thought its Lambchop. But the voice was too young.
You find it on myspace.
Posted 12 years ago by Nadita    [ Reply ]
 Toke wrote:

I NEVER EVER use that Google thing.......

https://www.tommcrae.com/Store/Store.html
 

my granpa calls it "The google".....found on the "interweb"
Posted 12 years ago by DD rabbi_phil    [ Reply ]
Oooooh.  Edgy.    {#Rolleyes}
Posted 12 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 libsang wrote:


Where did you find it? I've been looking everywhere for a download—no itunes, no amazon, no link on his website? help??
 
I NEVER EVER use that Google thing.......

https://www.tommcrae.com/Store/Store.html
Posted 12 years ago by Toke    [ Reply ]
 jam5ie76 wrote:
8  reminds me a bit of The The and not just the harmonica
 
I have made that mistake for years. Hmm.
Posted 12 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Didn't car for the beginning, but loved the end. Go figure.
 
You aren't the only one.
Posted 12 years ago by NeuroGeek    [ Reply ]
Just think, in 40 years, he'll sound like Leonard Cohen.
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
A song for our times, for warmongering governments and robber barons in Finance Capital.

"the strongest will survive
but it's the scum that always rises"

Isn't that the truth! You just have to look at those who've emerged to rule us in the last decade or so, in politics and the economy. Reminds me of an old saying about UK Tories:

Q: Why are the Tories the cream of society?
A: Because they're rich, thick and full of clots
Posted 12 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
whisper. or sing. not both. argghhh
Posted 13 years ago by dabeyc    [ Reply ]
Mental root canal.  {#Fever}
a 2 is all it gets, and that's generous
Posted 13 years ago by George_Tirebiter    [ Reply ]
I like this!
Posted 13 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
 "Walk on the Wild Side" anyone?
Posted 13 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Too early for this one!!{#Naughty}
Posted 13 years ago by eswiley2    [ Reply ]
8  reminds me a bit of The The and not just the harmonica
Posted 13 years ago by jam5ie76    [ Reply ]
Bumping this from 7 to 8 - I really like it!  Wickedly-clever lyrics and unexpected musical injections.  Snarky and fun.

Here I go
back again
sliding off the ceiling
was I gone for long
did I just flick the switch?

across the street
away from me
a man is singing Sympathy for the devil
and he's getting all the words wrong

his newspaper flies desperately
but words aren't wings like gravity
they'll keep you here

It's a theory to subscribe to
but you know you're being lied to
so keep your picture clear
keep your picture clear

Stay awake
the lines are drawn
you're never right until you're wrong
in the eyes of the world

and a picture tells a thousand lies
little dots in black and white
you have no idea
the strongest will survive
but it's the scum that always rises

So keep your picture clear
keep your picture clear
keep your picture clear

you talk just like a diplomat
but hide the gun behind your back
and lead us near a bloody war
congratulations, this is yours
looking through the history books
of liars cheats and petty crooks

they'll print your picture clear
they'll print your picture clear
keep your picture clear

keep your picture clear


Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
A song that seems greater then the sum of it's parts.
Posted 13 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
What a very odd song. Starts with spoken word, finger snapping and ends with a harmonica laced choir...{#Think} Very Creative.

 
{#High-five} Agreed, very cool.

Posted 13 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
woot/......yeah  baby
Posted 13 years ago by cattail321    [ Reply ]
Didn't car for the beginning, but loved the end. Go figure.
Posted 13 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
What a cool fun song!!
Posted 14 years ago by fast_eddie    [ Reply ]
 jkhandy wrote:

Agreed!   {#Cheers}
 

Where did you find it? I've been looking everywhere for a download—no itunes, no amazon, no link on his website? help??
Posted 14 years ago by libsang    [ Reply ]

It's a theory to subscribe to
but you know you're being lied to
so keep your picture clear

Posted 14 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Not bad! Like to hear new music!!
Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
300+ ratings so it's been played many times... and I've never heard it? Oh, sure now I hear the bit at the end I remember it. Hmm. 7
Posted 14 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
hmmm..... i find myself lowering my ranking of this song each time i hear it....  the repetition is driving me nuts!!!!!!!!!
Posted 14 years ago by bseib    [ Reply ]
What a very odd song. Starts with spoken word, finger snapping and ends with a harmonica laced choir...{#Think} Very Creative.

Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
 skdenfeld wrote:
No higher recommendation for a song than to purchase it.  Done.
 
Agreed!   {#Cheers}
Posted 14 years ago by jkhandy    [ Reply ]
No higher recommendation for a song than to purchase it.  Done.
Posted 14 years ago by skdenfeld    [ Reply ]
 DoctorHooey wrote:
This one's a creeper - snuck under my skin while I was working from repeat listenings. It's really cool - nice slow burn.
 
Most definitely.

Posted 14 years ago by coffee-eyes    [ Reply ]
Now this I like.  Ooh just looked.  Apparently i liked it last time too.

Posted 14 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
This one's a creeper - snuck under my skin while I was working from repeat listenings. It's really cool - nice slow burn.
Posted 15 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
The quiet rhythm of passionate lyrics - i dig it alot.
Posted 15 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
Very good!
Posted 15 years ago by mirland    [ Reply ]
I like the piano - it's repetitive, I admit, but I almost like it more for that very reason. Keeps me grounded in the surreal while I'm attempting to detail the picture that I, personally, would keep clear....sorry, I shouldn't have done that.
Posted 15 years ago by paulmack    [ Reply ]
=SNAP=  Dig it, Daddy-O, it's the CRAAAAZYIEST!  =SNAP=

-7 
Posted 15 years ago by Bone    [ Reply ]
For me the second half makes up for the first half, but just barely.
 
Posted 15 years ago by jsjacob    [ Reply ]
Intriguing...
Posted 15 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Alex Turner from Arctic Monkeys.
Posted 15 years ago by Moonman1    [ Reply ]
Wow. . .his tone, the slight scratch of his voice.  The strum of the guitar. . .very nice, indeed quite likable. 
Posted 16 years ago by surreal1221    [ Reply ]
yup. It's a dark, grey Monday morning.
Posted 16 years ago by pannaramma    [ Reply ]
Meh, kinda sounds like a public service announcement commercial.
Posted 16 years ago by Kittee    [ Reply ]
I am trying to keep my picture clear, the drugs help but it's hard.
Posted 16 years ago by lattalo    [ Reply ]
Eeeek!  That harmonica just drilled a hole in my head....
Posted 16 years ago by Govi    [ Reply ]
Me likey 
Posted 16 years ago by oscar_driver    [ Reply ]
yclept wrote:
he sounds like the Arctic Monkeys front man...nice bass line in the first half
Totally, I thought it was AM's showing a new maturity. Not that I don't admire their immaturity.
Posted 16 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Bravo. Unexpected lyrics. Beautiful in its simplicity.
Posted 16 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
Good song!
Posted 16 years ago by hewijew    [ Reply ]
never heard… like it…
Posted 16 years ago by milchschnitte    [ Reply ]
Love the line about the guy singing "Sympathy for the Devil" and getting all the words wrong . . . though I wonder if he may have overheard me singing in my car one day . . .
Posted 16 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
sleep on!
Posted 16 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
God this is excellent, thanks Bill.

Posted 16 years ago by lattalo    [ Reply ]
skdenfeld wrote:
I love it when slow songs take off like that!
agreed. . .
Posted 16 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Excellent....thanks RP.
Posted 16 years ago by joanie    [ Reply ]
what the heck, he's english?!?
Posted 16 years ago by StickerSticker    [ Reply ]
I love it when slow songs take off like that!
Posted 16 years ago by skdenfeld    [ Reply ]
fredriley wrote:
Is that a chipmunk squeaking away in one channel during the chorus? Sounds in some distress ;-)
Sounds like a chipmunk in heat. Either that or just a straw in a cup lid - up/down.
Posted 16 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
Not my cup of tea, but harmless. 4
Posted 16 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
This is excellent - overtones of Bright Eyes and Citizen Cope, but a great sound behind the haunting lyrics. Update: Shame the same can't be said of the rest of the album, which is pretty dire.
Posted 16 years ago by andycollingridge    [ Reply ]
This is really good. I like it!
Posted 17 years ago by burdell    [ Reply ]
he sounds like the Arctic Monkeys front man...nice bass line in the first half
Posted 17 years ago by yclept    [ Reply ]
:-(
Posted 17 years ago by joeheyming    [ Reply ]
cookie_token wrote:
I just can't stand the way he sings, have to mute RP while the song is on. :(
interesting song though, I think (7)
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
Lovin' that big bass, and then the song just flippin' takes off! Like it. A lot!
Posted 17 years ago by skdenfeld    [ Reply ]
I just can't stand the way he sings, have to mute RP while the song is on. :(
Posted 17 years ago by cookie_token    [ Reply ]
I like Tom's way to build his songs...something different
Posted 17 years ago by exciter76    [ Reply ]
Listening to it the first time, its jumps and skews disorient - almost scary.
Posted 17 years ago by Cogitisimo    [ Reply ]
definitely gets better as it goes along... what was that comment about a chipmunk? that was funny
Posted 17 years ago by siandbeth    [ Reply ]
jesspra wrote:
I think this should segue into that Tricky song...
Nice. It just did.
Posted 17 years ago by suitep    [ Reply ]
slinky.
Posted 17 years ago by sukilau    [ Reply ]
I think this should segue into that Tricky song...
Posted 17 years ago by jesspra    [ Reply ]
Is that a chipmunk squeaking away in one channel during the chorus? Sounds in some distress ;-)
Posted 17 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
...very ear-catching...
Posted 17 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of Tom Waits in some ways.
Posted 17 years ago by CafeRacer    [ Reply ]
Soul Coughing would go good after this...c mon Bill.
Posted 17 years ago by wookie    [ Reply ]
I enjoy the conspiratorial tone of the artist.
Posted 17 years ago by alevin    [ Reply ]
I liked the way that it built. A bit of 'The Wall' in the ending I think...
Posted 17 years ago by Paul_in_Australia    [ Reply ]