PICASSO
Beaux Arts Orchestra; Denny Laine; Linda McCartney; Paul McCartney; Paul McCartney & Wings Lyrics

The lyrics to Beaux Arts Orchestra's "Picasso's Last Words" appear to be referencing the death of Pablo Picasso, a renowned Spanish painter who passed away on April 8th, 1973. The first stanza mentions "a grand old painter" dying and leaving his paintings on the wall. This is likely a reference to Picasso's legacy as a painter and the enduring nature of his artwork. The second line of this stanza, "Before he went, he bade us well and said goodnight to us all," could be interpreted as a metaphor for Picasso's passing and his saying goodbye to the world through his art.

The chorus, which repeats the phrase "Drink to me, drink to my health," seems to be a nod to a famous anecdote involving Picasso and his friend, the writer and artist Gertrude Stein. According to legend, Stein was on her deathbed and Picasso visited her, telling her to drink to his health with a glass of Dubonnet. When Stein protested that she was dying, Picasso reportedly replied, "we must always have the courage to be happy." This story has become intertwined with Picasso's legacy and could explain the repeated call for toasts in the song.

The second verse introduces a new character and shifts the tone of the song. The singer is now preparing for bed at three in the morning and waiting for someone they address as "baby." The lines "It came without a warning / But I'll be waiting for you baby / I'll be waiting for you there" could be interpreted as a reference to death, with the singer waiting for their loved one in the afterlife. The final lines of the song, which repeat the chorus and add the word "Jet," are unclear in their meaning but could be interpreted as a nod to Picasso's love of travel and his status as an international figure.