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Placebo — This Picture
Album: Sleeping With Ghosts
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2897









Released: 2003
Length: 3:31
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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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?

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

Sometimes it's fated
Disintegrated
For fear of growing old
Sometimes it's fated
Assassinated
For fear of growing old

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

Sometimes it's fated
Disintegrated
For fear of growing old
Sometimes it's fated
Assassinated
For fear of growing old

Hang on
Though we try
It's gone

Hang on
Though we try
It's gone

Sometimes it's fated
Disintegrated
For fear of growing old
Sometimes it's fated
Assassinated
For fear of growing old

I can't stop growing old
I can't stop growing old
I can't stop growing old
I can't stop growing old

I can't stop growing old
Comments (202)add comment
Seen them live at pukkelpop in Belgium about ten years ago. My girlfriend at the time had never heard of Placebo, but since I was already a big fan, we were in the front of the crowd. They were magnificent, and my girl (who was not much of a rock-fan) was completely blown away by the sheer brilliance. 

It was a good day... 
Wish I could go back in time to be there once again. Sometimes I do.
Posted 3 hours ago by Braindrinker    [ Reply ]
 Edweirdo wrote:

Apparently Brian Molko is being investigated in Italy  for shouting out “Giorgia Meloni, piece of shit, fascist, racist.”  Which only increases his standing as far as I'm concerned.




who did the down vote?
Posted 5 months ago by salice    [ Reply ]
8 for the song. Plus one for the cover art.  
Posted 11 months ago by musicjunkie1963    [ Reply ]
Screw all you haters of Placebo, for whatever reason it is. They rock. I don't care how Brian's vocals are, what they are or what they appear to be. I met them after a concert years ago and they are very friendly and genuine. Get over yourselves. 
Posted 11 months ago by tripp1    [ Reply ]
6.9?! What the hell.
It's an easy 8.
Posted 1 year ago by PrincipalSkinner    [ Reply ]
Superb cover art.  Speaks eloquently to the fleeting nature of love.
Posted 1 year ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:

ummm, ok even Decembrist's nasal shrieker sounds better than this clown


  not a decemberists fan at all, but...i love your comment.
without looking, i can pick placebo out every time because of the whiney voice. this one is a little better than beautiful james, which for me is really, really annoying.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Apparently Brian Molko is being investigated in Italy  for shouting out “Giorgia Meloni, piece of shit, fascist, racist.”  Which only increases his standing as far as I'm concerned.
Posted 1 year ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Placebo is the best? 😍
Posted 1 year ago by plasibo81    [ Reply ]
Just rocks....
Posted 1 year ago by Ben_Smedley    [ Reply ]
I especially like the vocals
Posted 3 years ago by jasonv    [ Reply ]
this band was amazing live 20 years ago!!! godlike.
Posted 3 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
More placebo,pleaseeee😊
Posted 3 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
Photo is SO brill,
Posted 3 years ago by deniseperry    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:

Great sound.  Don't know why it is rated so low.

something about the vocals doesn't work for me but the album cover is interesting

Posted 3 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
Nice technique in album cover photo.

<edit, 5 mins later>  Can't stop growing old?  Obviously written by a youngster who's never attended a funeral.
Posted 6 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
That intro is begging for William Shatner's participation.
Posted 6 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Good song from a good band.
Posted 6 years ago by Thin_Air    [ Reply ]
Cool song....cool artwork...solid "8"
Posted 7 years ago by Emwolb    [ Reply ]
nice!
Posted 8 years ago by DocStrangelove    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
ummm, ok even Decembrist's nasal shrieker sounds better than this clown

 
Why be so negative? The song rocks at least.
Posted 8 years ago by olivertwist    [ Reply ]
ummm, ok even Decembrist's nasal shrieker sounds better than this clown
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 jpfueler wrote:

My brain went Ben Folds and Will Shatner but the voice doesn't match.

 

I was thinking Secret Machines...
Posted 8 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Nice tune!
Posted 9 years ago by AbileneTexas    [ Reply ]
Very catchy tune.  Like it!
Posted 9 years ago by Johnny_Wave    [ Reply ]
Sometimes it's hated
Assassinated
For fear of growing old
Posted 9 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
 changodelaplaya wrote:

Because most of those who rate songs on RP are negative punks. I gave it a 9. {#Cool}

 
Right on! I just did the same. 
Posted 9 years ago by JanzieNL    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
Great sound.  Don't know why it is rated so low.
 
Because most of those who rate songs on RP are negative punks. I gave it a 9. {#Cool}
Posted 9 years ago by changodelaplaya    [ Reply ]
Great sound.  Don't know why it is rated so low.

Posted 9 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
it hasn't been played in a too long time !!! I love it ! the past hour has been amazing Bill. this is going to be a great day !! :D
Posted 9 years ago by ChrisVIII    [ Reply ]
 Easyrider wrote:
Love it😉
 
Love it too.  Glad to hear this on RP.  Deserves a higher rating.
Posted 10 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 Emwolb wrote:

One of my favorite album covers.....get in line :)
 
That cover vaguely reminds me of this oldie - "Force It" by UFO, design by Storm Thorgerson.
force it
This was the "censored" version for North American release.
Posted 10 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 DeemerDave wrote:

The guy on the cover looks like Jonny Greenwood. The girl looks like someone I would like to spend some time with.

{#Redface}



 
One of my favorite album covers.....get in line :)
Posted 10 years ago by Emwolb    [ Reply ]
I've always appreciated the uniqueness and sound of this group...would love to hear more
Posted 10 years ago by FluorideFreeMN    [ Reply ]
Placebo stole my heart with their cover version of "Running up that hill". I love that special voice and that music
Posted 10 years ago by Vero_Luxemburg    [ Reply ]

The guy on the cover looks like Jonny Greenwood. The girl looks like someone I would like to spend some time with.

{#Redface}


Posted 10 years ago by DeemerDave    [ Reply ]
Plus 1 for the cover art.
Posted 10 years ago by dziebell    [ Reply ]
 ench wrote:

I had to triple-check this wasn't REM... Unfortunately I think my love of REM makes it hard to appreciate this song.

 
My brain went Ben Folds and Will Shatner but the voice doesn't match.
Posted 10 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
like the lyrics
Posted 10 years ago by Lauriea    [ Reply ]
More Placebo please!
Posted 11 years ago by niccca    [ Reply ]
 palad1 wrote:
Felt
Posted 11 years ago by palad1    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill. This song triggered a satori moment for me. In a UK supermarket. Felled like the 90s all over again. 

Thanks.  
Posted 11 years ago by palad1    [ Reply ]
I really like this song and group...a good example of a group that has grown on me...many years ago a friend loaned me the Cd and i did not think much of it
Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
I really like this, too.  Fun.
Posted 11 years ago by cbazinet    [ Reply ]
couldn't help but notice that the album cover of this record is similar in color and look to the preceding tune's album art (Moby's "Play")
Posted 11 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
 Segue wrote:
Sounds like REM at 45 RPM

 
I had to triple-check this wasn't REM... Unfortunately I think my love of REM makes it hard to appreciate this song.
Posted 11 years ago by ench    [ Reply ]
 Segue wrote:
Sounds like REM at 45 RPM

 
"I saw GOD, man!" (Tommy Chong)
Posted 11 years ago by ajlept    [ Reply ]
no matter how much people critisize placebo they will always have their unique sound and songwriting... and the albums placebo and without you i'm nothing are amazing... and all you that play it hard ask david bowie who made a douet with them from the second album...
amazing live as well!
Posted 12 years ago by loukas1982    [ Reply ]
Love it😉
Posted 12 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
Good song, though I imagine several of the negative reviews would disappear if Bill could mix "Protect Me From What I Want" into a cleverly-themed playlist. 
Posted 12 years ago by ufamsm    [ Reply ]
 Nadine wrote:
had a short (& enthusiastic) affair with their "without you I'm nothing" release in '98. i opted OUT really quick...

nowadays I simply can't get over his voice...it touches the bad nerves in my temporal lobe...or however that brainarea is called responsible for hearing...
 
{#High-five} 

bought "Without you..." on the strength of the opener, Pure Morning, alone. I later realized that it was the only good song on the disk, teaching a valuable lesson about making sure to listen critically through whole albums before buying.
Posted 12 years ago by stahlwerk    [ Reply ]
 DarkieDark wrote:

Well like Brian Molko (The guy "with the Adam's Apple") once said to a reporter who asked him if he's a man or a woman:
"I'm more of a man than you'll ever be, and more of a woman you'll ever get"
;-)

 
{#Lol} - BTW, cover sorta looks like Ghost in reverse, yes? Where Demi dies (hmm, ponder this) and Swayze lives?
Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
had a short (& enthusiastic) affair with their "without you I'm nothing" release in '98. i opted OUT really quick...

nowadays I simply can't get over his voice...it touches the bad nerves in my temporal lobe...or however that brainarea is called responsible for hearing...
Posted 12 years ago by Nadine    [ Reply ]
The first song I have heard on RP to date that has made me remove my headphones.
Posted 12 years ago by JIan    [ Reply ]
Is this a great song or does it just seem that way because I expected it to?
Posted 12 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
More Placebo!
Posted 12 years ago by niccca    [ Reply ]
 jpfueler wrote:
Like Common People?
 

If William Shatner remade this song, I think I would enjoy it more.
Posted 12 years ago by SinisterDexter    [ Reply ]
 apd wrote:
Beautiful cover art - just the right mix of weird and sexy. And I love how the dudes hand is casting a shadow on the ghost.
 
Yeah, the cover art is a wet dream, literally. (it looks like she is in the shower)
Posted 12 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Thank goodness for the PSD button!!!
Posted 12 years ago by dragonlady    [ Reply ]

Ouch.


Posted 12 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
don't normally like them, but thissong has got me groovin{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 12 years ago by rlr511    [ Reply ]
Play Special Needs next time, I would like to hear that one too. :)
Posted 13 years ago by j2e1n9    [ Reply ]
Beautiful cover art - just the right mix of weird and sexy. And I love how the dudes hand is casting a shadow on the ghost.
Posted 13 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
a row of icky songs. Still Love RP despite. cool cover though!
Posted 13 years ago by jocelynsart    [ Reply ]
Hard on the ears.
Posted 13 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
 plaice3 wrote:
unnerving noise to my ears ... eeek!
 
kill this song, not good enough

 
Posted 13 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
unnerving noise to my ears ... eeek!
Posted 13 years ago by plaice3    [ Reply ]
 jpfueler wrote:
Like Common People?
 

funny, I thought the same thing.
Posted 13 years ago by edbollix    [ Reply ]
Like Common People?
Posted 13 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
Me like Placebo too....{#Lol}
Posted 13 years ago by Neil66    [ Reply ]
I like Placebo. Has anyone else had problems finding their stuff on iTunes, too? I have.
Posted 13 years ago by j2e1n9    [ Reply ]
6 + 1 for the artwork.
Posted 13 years ago by rickhoran    [ Reply ]
Kind of strange listening to a song that sounds like a bad Suburbs song coming after a song called the Suburbs.
Posted 14 years ago by MortimerS    [ Reply ]
 ick wrote:
This guys voice makes me want to punch him in the adam's apple!  (If he has one.)
 
Well like Brian Molko (The guy "with the Adam's Apple") once said to a reporter who asked him if he's a man or a woman:
"I'm more of a man than you'll ever be, and more of a woman you'll ever get"
;-)

Posted 14 years ago by DarkieDark    [ Reply ]
 annie_fannie wrote:


i almost blew soda out my nose when i read this. thanks for the laugh!
 
You're welcome.

Posted 14 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
Best band in the world!
Been following them for over 10 years now, and they only keep getting better.
Thanks Bill, and would LOVE to hear more from them.
Posted 14 years ago by DarkieDark    [ Reply ]
 ick wrote:
This guys voice makes me want to punch him in the adam's apple!  (If he has one.)
 

i almost blew soda out my nose when i read this. thanks for the laugh!
Posted 14 years ago by annie_fannie    [ Reply ]
This guys voice makes me want to punch him in the adam's apple!  (If he has one.)


Posted 14 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
The beginning of the song reminded me of "Detachable Penis."
Posted 14 years ago by vit    [ Reply ]
Interesting album cover
Posted 14 years ago by Shaker    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:
Do you think they considered what the name Placebo would say about them as a band?
 
I'm sure they did, and it could be interpreted as a clever commentary on the state and role of music - something with no efficacy which yet affects its users because they expect it to be efficacious. (As it happens, there's considerable empirical evidence that placebos work in themselves, even when users know they're taking placebos - weird, or what? As they say in Yorkshire, there's nowt as queer as folk. )

Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 skogman wrote:
I still hear "goodbye to open source" :) M$ lover, I bet ;)
 
 {#High-five}   Take a look at page 1 of the comments :)

Posted 14 years ago by spaceman    [ Reply ]
 25demayo wrote:

Sounds like William Shatner singing "Common People" {#Stupid}


 
HA HA! That song is worth a great laugh. 
Nothing like this though
{#Think}

Posted 14 years ago by lysisphere    [ Reply ]
i can't help it... i love the sound of these guys. it all started with "every you, every me"... {#Jump}
Posted 14 years ago by soulcollision    [ Reply ]
Sounds like REM at 45 RPM
Posted 14 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:


Yeah, right.  I was thinking the same thing.  I would say it's the worst name of a rock band since Status Quo.
 

If you have the chance to see them live: try it! Great rock-music, great live-act!

Posted 15 years ago by TeleFrank    [ Reply ]
I still hear "goodbye to open source" :) M$ lover, I bet ;)
Posted 15 years ago by skogman    [ Reply ]
Bill: Somehow, I've never heard this before. Thank you - and thanks for this whole evening (to you and whoever helps with programming - I don't think I've ever enjoyed RP as much as I am tonight - and that's saying something, believe me.
Posted 15 years ago by paulmack    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this in a long time.
Thanks Bill.
Posted 15 years ago by oldman    [ Reply ]

Sounds like William Shatner singing "Common People" {#Stupid}


Posted 15 years ago by 25demayo    [ Reply ]
After the incredible Steven Wilson song prior to this, but this is quite a let down.  Meh.
Posted 15 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Nice! A bit like a hard-edged REM with even more vibrato in the lead singer's vocals. ;)  I dig it!{#Yes}
Posted 15 years ago by Tim_in_N_FL    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:
Do you think they considered what the name Placebo would say about them as a band?
 

Yeah, right.  I was thinking the same thing.  I would say it's the worst name of a rock band since Status Quo.
Posted 15 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Do you think they considered what the name Placebo would say about them as a band?
Posted 16 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
 Wolf825 wrote:
They are channeling the Pet Shop Boys.
 
I don't hear that; I don't remember The Pet Shop Boys having much guitar sound, especially of the distorted variety.

Posted 16 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 TeleFrank wrote:
Placebo live: one of my Top10-concerts I've seen so far!
{#Bananajam}
Rock on!
 
Funny I saw them at Festival Nyon in Switzerland many years ago and I had never heard of them!  

BLOWN AWAY!

Then came Ben Harper for 3 hours "OMG - I can't believe he's blowing away the band I was just blown away by!"
Life was beautiful that night. 
Posted 16 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
They are channeling the Pet Shop Boys.
Posted 16 years ago by Wolf825    [ Reply ]
Placebo live: one of my Top10-concerts I've seen so far!
{#Bananajam}
Rock on!
Posted 16 years ago by TeleFrank    [ Reply ]
 manbirdexperiment wrote:
Sounds like something Bill Shatner should be 'singing'.
 
And, I might be wrong on this, but did John McCain come up with the title for this cut?


Posted 16 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
Sounds like something Bill Shatner should be 'singing'.
Posted 16 years ago by Manbird    [ Reply ]

Thanks for playing this Bill. At least once or twice a day I have to write down a CD I must pull out when I get home; this is another. Love it!



Posted 16 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
esotericderek wrote:
I don't know....this pill's not working for me, and I can't figure out why. Oh, wait! Maybe it's because there's nothing substantial in it!
Try sticking it up your ass
Posted 16 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
cathenley wrote:
Wish I had thought of that band name...
I don't know....this pill's not working for me, and I can't figure out why. Oh, wait! Maybe it's because there's nothing substantial in it!
Posted 16 years ago by esotericderek    [ Reply ]
Wish I had thought of that band name...
Posted 16 years ago by cathenley    [ Reply ]
I DO like them, I LIKE them, Sam I am. I DO like . . . Placebo
Posted 17 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
huebdoo wrote:
I hear Rush in his voice... am I the only one?
I hear it too, now that you mention it. So this is what Rush would sound like if they recorded good rockin' music.
Posted 17 years ago by OldFrenchie    [ Reply ]
DigitalJer wrote:
I love the cover art...deeply sad!
indeed...great observation.
Posted 17 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
I love the cover art...deeply sad!
Posted 17 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
Great band
Posted 17 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
I hear Rush in his voice... am I the only one?
Posted 17 years ago by huebdoo    [ Reply ]
The singer sounds quite a bit like the guy from Alpinestars--at least on the song "Carbon Kid." ...After diligent research: whoops, dey it is: Brian Molko of Placebo *did* show up on Alpinestars' album "White Noise", including "Carbon Kid." Who sounds like who here?
Posted 17 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Had to stop coding in order to be sure that I can trust my ears.... Placebo is just awesome!
Posted 17 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
I like the insanity in his voice
Posted 17 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
YES! Love Placebo!!
Posted 17 years ago by OldFrenchie    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill! I really needed this after the agony of Leonard Cohen - 'The Future'! Waaaaa!!!!
Posted 17 years ago by KateD    [ Reply ]
I dig the cover art
Posted 17 years ago by out_to_lunch    [ Reply ]
Hey - what a cool mix? Low Cohen plus High Placebo. Does not make Cohen better - this song is too fast 4 him.
Posted 17 years ago by matz    [ Reply ]
Milfweed wrote:
This one was pretty good..I just have such a hard time getting into these guys.
... isn't it terrific?
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
PURE NOISE
Posted 17 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]
This one was pretty good..I just have such a hard time getting into these guys.
Posted 17 years ago by Milfweed    [ Reply ]