Besides these two songs, five more of Montgomery's singles have reached the top of the country charts: "I Love the Way You Love Me", "Be My Baby Tonight", "If You've Got Love", "I Can Love You Like That", and "The Little Girl", while thirteen more have reached Top Ten. Montgomery's recordings of "I Swear" and "I Can Love You Like That" were both released concurrently with R&B versions by the group All-4-One. Montgomery has also released eleven studio albums, counting a Christmas album.
John Michael joined the family band (which also included his brother, Eddie Montgomery, who would later join Troy Gentry in the duo Montgomery Gentry) as guitarist before taking the lead singing role when his parents divorced. Afterwards, he made a frugal living on the local honky-tonk scene as a solo artist playing what he referred to as "working man's country." Eventually, Atlantic Records signed him.
That's Not Her Picture
John Michael Montgomery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wish it was
It came with the wallet
I keep it because
It reminds me of her
It reminds me of us
But that's not her picture
I don't know why
It may be the blonde hair
It may be the smile
It brings back the feeling
For a little while
But that's not her picture
[Chorus]
I know it's wrong, it's a total stranger
A photo from the discount store
But her picture's home in a thousand pieces
Scattered on the bedroom floor
She might have her eyes
Might have her face
Might look like her
In so many ways
It fools the heart
It fills the space
But that's not her picture
[Chorus]
That's not her picture
I wish it was
It came with the wallet
I keep it because
It reminds me of her
It reminds me of us
But that's not her picture
Thank you for asking
I miss her so much
But that's not her picture
The song "That's Not Her Picture" by John Michael Montgomery tells the story of a man who keeps a picture of a woman in his wallet, but it's not actually her. He keeps it because it reminds him of her and their memories together, but he knows it's not the same. He admits that it may be the blonde hair and smile that attract him to the photo, but ultimately the picture is just a painful reminder of what he has lost.
The lyrics are filled with conflicting emotions - the man simultaneously feels comfort from the photo but also guilt for keeping it. The chorus emphasizes this inner turmoil, as he acknowledges that it's a "total stranger" in the picture and that the real photo of his lost love is "scattered on the bedroom floor." The final line of the song, "I miss her so much, but that's not her picture," showcases the man's sadness and longing for his former lover.
Overall, the song is a bittersweet reflection on how we hold onto memories and mementos of past relationships, even if they can never truly replace the real thing.
Line by Line Meaning
That's not her picture
The photo in my wallet is not of the person I miss and long for.
I wish it was
However, I still keep it even though it's not her because it represents memories of her.
It came with the wallet
The photo was in the wallet when I bought it and I haven't replaced it since then.
I keep it because
The photo may not be of her, but it resembles her enough for me to hold onto it.
It reminds me of her
When I look at the picture, it brings back memories and feelings of her and our relationship.
It reminds me of us
The picture symbolizes not just her, but also memories of the times we shared together.
I haven't replaced it
I don't feel ready to move on and replace the photo with one that is truly of someone else.
It may be the blonde hair
The photo may resemble her due to physical features like her blonde hair and smile.
It brings back the feeling
Although it's not her, looking at the photo still brings back feelings of love for her.
For a little while
But unfortunately, the feeling doesn't last long once I realize it's not really her picture.
I know it's wrong, it's a total stranger
I acknowledge that it's not right to hold onto a photo of a stranger as if it's someone I know and love.
A photo from the discount store
I bought the wallet and the picture came with it, but it has no sentimental value.
But her picture's home in a thousand pieces
The actual photo of her that I treasured so much has been destroyed, and I can't bring myself to throw it away.
Scattered on the bedroom floor
I can't bear to clean up the pieces of the photo that still remain in my bedroom.
She might have her eyes
The person in the photo may have physical features that resemble her, such as her eyes or face.
Might have her face
The stranger in the photo could have a similar face shape and structure as her.
Might look like her
Overall, the photo could be mistaken for her from a distance or in certain lighting.
In so many ways
The photo has enough similarities to her real appearance that it can bring me comfort and solace.
It fools the heart
The photo can trick me into thinking that I'm seeing her and revive the strong emotions I feel for her.
It fills the space
Even though it's not her, having the photo in my wallet fills the void that missing her has created.
Thank you for asking
The fact that you inquired about the photo shows that you care about me and understand my situation.
I miss her so much
I still have deep feelings of longing and love for her, despite the fact that her photo is no longer with me.
But that's not her picture
At the end of the day, the photo is not actually of her, and I am acutely aware of that fact.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY SCOTT BURR, BILL ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind