PICASSO
GRAAW Lyrics

The lyrics to GRAAW's song "Picasso" convey a sense of frustration and disillusionment with societal and political systems. The opening lines speak of being stuck in traffic and becoming acquainted with cynicism, suggesting a feeling of being trapped or stagnant. The mention of self-belief in need of a miracle implies a lack of confidence or hope in oneself.

The next lines, "if it rains, don't complain, overworked and underpaid, I'm tired of selling out, I guess I'm the renegade," express a weariness with the status quo. The artist is tired of conforming and compromising their values for the sake of survival or success. They desire to break free from the constraints of their current situation, represented by the metaphorical "old English blues."

The chorus introduces the idea of a revolution and contrasts the colors of cherry red and black and white. These contrasting colors symbolize the stark contrast between passion and righteousness (cherry red) and the neutrality or monotony of the status quo (black and white). The absence of a ruling figure in the form of a dead king implies a sense of chaos or lack of leadership within the society. In response to this, the artist declares their intention to create their own masterpiece, symbolized by painting their own Picasso with a pocket knife, suggesting a desire to create something meaningful and impactful despite limited resources.

The following verse touches on the disillusionment of the general public, who are portrayed as unsure and bitter, feeling that their minds are being manipulated by the government. The lines "every sickness starts with a little cough, now they're putting all the laws on the medicine, it's a cold predicament" critique the manipulation and control exerted by those in power. The metaphor of sickness and medicine suggests that the actions of the government are causing harm and perpetuating a harmful cycle.

The second chorus reiterates the themes of revolution and contrasts in colors. The reference to truth being dead and money ruling highlights the idea that the pursuit of wealth and power has taken precedence over truth and justice. The artist again asserts their intention to create their own masterpiece, this time emphasizing the use of a pocket knife, which may represent resourcefulness and defiance in the face of limited means.

The final verse speaks of the difficulty in finding oneself in a world filled with conflict and fear. The metaphor of climbing up a rotten tree and the apple falling on the artist symbolize a realization of the flawed and corrupt nature of their environment. The mention of picking out a flower for Jacqueline, who is stuck in a "blue La Vie" (a reference to Picasso's Blue Period), suggests a desire to escape the sadness and turmoil that Jacqueline represents.

In conclusion, "Picasso" is a song that expresses frustration with societal and political systems, as well as a desire for personal expression and creation in the face of adversity. It captures the artist's yearning for change, individuality, and the pursuit of artistic greatness in a world that often feels restrictive and disheartening.