“That song is directly related to “Casual.” They’re about the same situation and you could see how “Picture You” was about how I wanted them to see me so badly and I was obsessive over them and it turned out to be just casual for them and that’s why it was so shocking to me because I had pictured them in so many different ways, so, I think “Picture You” is a somber song as long as kind of a sexy song.“
—via Making The Album
Picture You
Chappell Roan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Slip off my pretty dress down my chest when I think of you
Every night, both lips on the mirror
It's ritualistic, counting lipstick stains where you should be
Oh, I need you around
I'm getting close now
Do you picture me like I picture you?
Am I in the frame from your point of view?
Do you feel the same? I'm too scared to say
Half of the things I do when I picture you
So tell me now (tell me now)
All your perversions
Am I doing research in a mini skirt
At the library in your hometown?
Oh, I need you around
I'm getting close now
Do you picture me like I picture you?
Am I in the frame from your point of view?
Do you feel the same? I'm too scared to say
Half of the things I do when I picture you
When I picture you
Do you picture me like I picture you?
Am I in the frame from your point of view?
Do you feel the same? I'm too scared to say
Half of the things I do when I picture you
In Chappell Roan's song "Picture You," the lyrics depict a sense of longing and desire for someone who is not physically present. The mention of drawing the blinds and lighting candles creates an intimate and private atmosphere, setting the stage for intense emotions. The line "Slip off my pretty dress down my chest when I think of you" suggests vulnerability and a feeling of being exposed, as if the thoughts of this person penetrate deep into the singer's heart.
The lyrics "Every night, both lips on the mirror, It's ritualistic, counting lipstick stains where you should be" convey a sense of ritual and repetition. The singer seems to be engaging in a habitual act of kissing the mirror, a symbolic action representing an attempt to connect with the absence of the person they desire. The presence of lipstick stains hints at the longing for physical intimacy and the pain of their absence.
The chorus poses a question to the person of interest: "Do you picture me like I picture you? Am I in the frame from your point of view? Do you feel the same? I'm too scared to say half of the things I do when I picture you." Here, the singer wonders if this person shares the same intensity of feelings and thoughts. The mention of being too scared to express these emotions suggests a fear of vulnerability and potentially being rejected.
The bridge of the song takes on a more daring tone, as the singer asks provocative questions. The lyrics "So tell me now, all your perversions, Am I doing research in a mini skirt at the library in your hometown?" highlight the desire for a deeper understanding of the person's fantasies and preferences. The mention of the mini skirt and the library in their hometown adds a layer of innocence mixed with curiosity.
Overall, "Picture You" portrays a complex mix of longing, vulnerability, and curiosity about someone who is missed deeply. The lyrics express the singer's yearning for reciprocation and the fear of confessing their true emotions. It captures the intense emotions and fantasies that arise when picturing this person, creating a profound and introspective narrative.
Line by Line Meaning
Draw the blinds, light every candle
Creating an intimate atmosphere, setting the stage for a heartfelt reflection on my emotions
Slip off my pretty dress down my chest when I think of you
Removing the façade and letting my true emotions flow, as I reminisce about you
Every night, both lips on the mirror
A repetitive behavior, kissing the mirror as a way to feel closer to you
It's ritualistic, counting lipstick stains where you should be
Engaging in a habitual act of counting the marks left by my kisses, longing for your presence
Oh, I need you around
Expressing a strong desire for your presence in my life
I'm getting close now
Feeling a growing emotional connection with you
Do you picture me like I picture you?
Wondering if you imagine me in the same way I constantly imagine you
Am I in the frame from your point of view?
Questioning if I hold a significant place in your thoughts and perspective
Do you feel the same? I'm too scared to say
Fearful of expressing my true emotions, hesitant to share my feelings
Half of the things I do when I picture you
Engaging in actions that are inspired by thoughts of you, only revealing a portion of my affection
So tell me now (tell me now)
Urgently seeking an answer or honesty from you
All your perversions
Seeking understanding of your desires and interests
Am I doing research in a mini skirt at the library in your hometown?
Wondering if I would go to great lengths, even engaging in provocative behavior, to understand you better
When I picture you
Indicating that these thoughts and emotions only occur when I think of you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Daniel Nigro, Kayleigh Rose Amstutz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Poohbear5560
✨✨💖LYRICS✨✨💖
Draw the blinds
Light every candle
Slip off my pretty dress down my chest
While I think of you
Every night
Both lips on the mirror
It's ritualistic, counting lipstick
Stains where you should be
Oh
I need you around
I'm getting close now
Do you picture me like I picture you? (Oh)
Am I in the frame from your point of view? (Oh)
Do you feel the same? I'm too scared to say (oh)
Half of the things I do
When I picture you
So, tell me now (tell me now)
All your perversions (oh, oh)
Am I doing research (am I?) in a mini skirt
At the library in your hometown?
Oh
I need you around
I'm getting close now
Do you picture me like I picture you? (Oh)
Am I in the frame from your point of view? (Oh)
Do you feel the same? I'm too scared to say (oh)
Half of the things I do
When I picture you
When I picture you
Ah, ah
Ah, ah-ah-ah
Ah, ah
Ah, ah-ah-ah
Do you picture me like I picture you?
Am I in the frame from your point of view?
Do you feel the same? I'm too scared to say
Half of the things I do
When I picture you
@trishna1622
Came here after listening on XO Kitty. I loved this song.. it's as amazing as Chappell's other songs ❤
@galindaupland-g1o
sameeeeee
@JosieLeyland
Mannn this season was SOOO good I loved it
@JosieLeyland
I watched it so quick I am so bad at only watching a couple episodes at a time 😭
@warriorbard
Same! I'm now slowly getting hooked on this artist. Her videos and sound are so fascinating!
@micansmusic
omgg same here
@lucien760
those vocal flips she does drive me INSANE she’s so good
@fayesquared
i KNOW RIGHT? i'm doing backflips and chewing on my ethernet cables while chappell roan plays in the bg
@poetrait941
vocal flips so good I thought it was caroline polachek 😭
@ronan-outoftime
when i first listened to this song i thought it was like a clever autotune trick but then i watched her tiny desk performance and realised no shes just talented 😭