Pictures
Brian Molko and Timo Maas Lyrics

The lyrics of "Pictures" by Brian Molko and Timo Maas may generate different interpretations in the minds of the listeners, but one possible meaning could refer to the obsessive desire to capture and hold onto a moment or a person forever, without allowing the passing of time, aging, or other changes to interfere. The singer invites someone, presumably a lover or a model, to get in the car and take a ride, while promising not to hurt or touch them without consent. However, they reveal their intention to take pictures of the person, to freeze them in time, and to capture them in digital form. The repetitions of "boy" and the insistence on taking off clothes may add a layer of eroticism or control to the scenario, in which the singer assumes the role of the photographer, the observer, and the owner of the images.

The lyrics of "Pictures" can be seen as an exploration of power dynamics, objectification, and the ethics of photography. On the one hand, the singer expresses admiration and fascination for the subject of the photos, praising their beauty and promising to preserve it. On the other hand, the singer also exerts control over the person, setting conditions for their behavior and implying that they are a passive object rather than an active participant. The focus on digital media and the absence of the traditional physical album or print might also suggest a detachment from the tangible, the authentic, and the lasting value of images, as well as a potential for manipulation and falsification. Overall, "Pictures" presents a complex mix of voyeurism, desire, and manipulation that invites reflection on what it means to see and be seen.