Pictures
BenjaminFrancisLeftwich Lyrics


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If you crash a car into
Your best friend's house
Would you be quiet as
Words came out of their mouth

Stop, don't do it
I have been waiting for it
Stop, I knew it would come

If you find a god next to
Your girlfriend's bed
Would it be hard to
Sort out your spinning head

Stop, don't say that, dear
That you wanted him here
Stop, don't give him the clear

Take a picture of them
Take a picture of them

If you are afraid, don't be
I have the whole thing planned
We'll start in the ocean, baby
And when we find the land
We will be thankful to
All of our friends
That they didn't leave us
As we got to the end

Take a picture of them
Take a picture of them
Take a picture of them
Take a picture of them

If you find your faith in
Your parents' God
Don't be so quick to
Point out the flaws in it

You've been around and you've seen
The way that things work




But you need a compass to
Get around your house

Overall Meaning

The song "Pictures" by Benjamin Francis Leftwich is a melancholic ballad that explores the complexities of human relationships and the emotions that come with them. Each stanza presents a different scenario with a moral dilemma that requires the singer to make a crucial decision. The first stanza addresses the consequences of damaging a friendship through unfaithful actions. The lyrics suggest that the singer is aware of the gravity of the situation and the potential for irreparable damage. The refrain "Stop, I knew it would come" implies that the singer was aware of the eventual fallout and regrets not being able to avoid it.


The second stanza is about confronting infidelity within a romantic relationship. The line "Would it be hard to sort out your spinning head" captures the confusion, disbelief, and anger that come with discovering such a betrayal. The singer implores their partner to reconsider the situation before making any rash decisions. The refrain "Stop, don't give him the clear" reinforces a sense of urgency and desperation to save the relationship.


The final stanza touches on religious beliefs and the challenges of reconciling one's personal beliefs with those of their upbringing. The lyrics suggest that while the singer has explored different worldviews, they may not have found a solid foundation to build upon. The line "But you need a compass to get around your house" speaks to the importance of having a strong sense of self and identity, especially in the face of external pressures and conflicting values.


Overall, "Pictures" is a powerful, introspective song that highlights the value of honesty, introspection, and empathy in navigating complex relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

If you crash a car into
If you make a mistake and cause damage to your best friend's property


Your best friend's house
The particular property you have mistakenly caused damage to


Would you be quiet as
Would you be remorseful for what you have done


Words came out of their mouth
If your friend expressed their anger towards you


Stop, don't do it
Stop and reconsider your actions before proceeding


I have been waiting for it
I knew an unfortunate event like this would happen eventually


Stop, I knew it would come
Stop because I anticipated this and don't want this to get worse


If you find a god next to
If you unexpectedly discover something that you don't like or appreciate


Your girlfriend's bed
The specific area where you have made this discovery


Would it be hard to
Would it be tough to comprehend


Sort out your spinning head
Would it be challenging to make sense of your feelings


Stop, don't say that, dear
Stop and consider how your words may affect others


That you wanted him here
That you have an inclination towards something that may cause harm or damage


Stop, don't give him the clear
Halt the potential negative consequences before they occur


Take a picture of them
Capture a tangible object or image to remember the event


Take a picture of them
Capture something that you want to remember, even if it is painful


If you are afraid, don't be
If you are feeling anxious or scared, don't let those feelings control you


I have the whole thing planned
I have a plan to help us deal with any challenges that might come our way


We'll start in the ocean, baby
We will embark on a journey and face obstacles together, starting from scratch


And when we find the land
Once we have overcome challenges and reached our destination


We will be thankful to
We should feel grateful towards


All of our friends
Those who have supported us along the way


That they didn't leave us
That they did not abandon us when we needed them the most


As we got to the end
As we successfully navigated through challenges to reach our goal


If you find your faith in
If you uncover your belief in something that you did not previously recognize


Your parents' God
A particular religious belief passed down from your family


Don't be so quick to
Don't be too hasty to


Point out the flaws in it
Criticize or reject it hastily without fully understanding it


You've been around and you've seen
You've gained experience and insight through your existence


The way that things work
You have come to understand the patterns and mechanisms of life


But you need a compass to
You require a tool or guide to navigate through life


Get around your house
To effectively and successfully navigate through life's journey




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN J. PETER ROBINSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@RADTRIP

If you crash a car into
Your best friend's house
Would you be quiet as
Words came out of their mouth
Stop, don't do it
I have been waiting for it
Stop, I knew it would come
If you find a god next to
Your girlfriend's bed
Would it be hard to
Sort out your spinning head
Stop, don't say that, dear
That you wanted him here
Stop, don't give him the clear
Take a picture of them
Take a picture of them
If you are afraid, don't be
I have the whole thing planned
We'll start in the ocean, baby
And when we find the land
We will be thankful to
All of our friends
That they didn't leave us
As we got to the end



All comments from YouTube:

@BenjaminLeftwich

Thanks for all the kind comments. 'Pictures' will be my next single, released on February 20th. I will also be touring the UK in February, dates on sale now! x

@NaCreaters

This song makes me sad, but also gives me a sensation of comfort at the same time

@mahmudhassan9021

Duality inside our imagination.

@audrina7023

I feel the same thing

@waynecampbell5928

Melancholic... perhaps...

@waynecampbell5928

Seems to be speaking to the sense of betrayal endured and overcome after catching a lover cheating...
Take a picture of it... grow through it... and find strength in your legacy of faith to live on... move on.

@xDDrobii

Yess, me too

@fairydust15

I found my old iPod the other day. I haven't used it in about three years and when I began listening to an old playlist, I rediscovered this song. I'm so annoyed with myself for forgetting this song but on the other hand I'm so happy I discovered it again. Listening to it is like taking a trip down memory lane, like looking at a picture from the past. 

@Animindstudio

I used to listen to this album when I drove to and from work as an accountant apprentice... it was with the help of this man and his music which drove me to quit my job and follow my heart and study to become a filmmaker. Best decision I've ever made. Thanks Benjo.

@Whateverable111

God I need to talk to someone about how GOOD this is... It makes me feel so alone, especially at 3 AM while thinking about life and reading some great books... There's no way to explain what I'm feeling right now.

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