At the height of her career her songs were recorded by some of pop music’s most important stars: Mama Cass, Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell, Astrud Gilberto, Julie London, Jackie DeShannon, Carmen McCrae, The Lennon Sisters, and Claudine Longet. Her first song to be recorded was "Moon Ride" by the jazz singer Chris Connor in 1958, while she was still in high school. Later, there were two hit versions of the Margo Guryan-penned "Sunday Morning" released a year apart in the late 1960s — the first by Spanky And Our Gang, and the second by Oliver (who had previous success with "Good Morning Starshine" and "Jean").
Although she preferred writing songs that others could record and perform, in 1968 Guryan recorded and released an album entitled "Take a Picture". Although the success of this record back then was limited, it has since become a much sought-after collector’s item.
"Take A Picture" was reissued in 2000 by Franklin Castle Records. A collection of demos entitled 27 Demos is also available.
Take A Picture
Margo Guryan Lyrics
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Words and Music by Margo Guryan
Sunny days, happy times
Take a picture so we can remember
Just in case of cloudy days to come
See the smile on my face
Take a picture so we can remember
The things you do to make me smile this way
Ask a stranger to take a picture
We should have one side by side
Look at me, and say `I love you'
Aren't I the picture of pride
Sunny days, happy times
Take a picture so we can remember
The things we share, the dreams we're dreaming of
Come and take a picture of love
©1968 (renewed) DARTMOOR MUSIC
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
In Margo Guryan’s “Take a Picture”, the lyrics describe a couple enjoying happy moments together and urging each other to take pictures in order to cement those moments and hold onto them in case darker times arrive. The song opens with the singer urging whoever they’re singing to, to take a picture of the moments they’re experiencing together. The desire to remember these happy moments is so strong that they want to have photos to look back on. The chorus emphasizes this point, repeating that a picture should be taken to keep memories of love alive even when things get tough.
The second half of the song has the singer asking a stranger to take a (presumably iconic) picture of them together as they smile and profess their love for each other. And in the end, the song reminds the listener that love is worth capturing and holding onto, no matter what.
The message of “Take a Picture” is simple yet profound - love is worth holding onto, even when things turn tough. The song is a powerful reminder of the power of memory and the importance of preserving the good moments in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunny days, happy times
These days are bright and cheerfull.
Take a picture so we can remember
Capture these happy moments through photographs.
The way it feels to love each other
Remind ourselves of how we loved one another.
Just in case of cloudy days to come
So that we can remind ourselves of happy moments when times get tough.
See the smile on my face
I'm happy and content.
Take a picture so we can remember
Capture that smile in a photo.
The things you do to make me smile this way
Recall the things you do that make me happy.
Ask a stranger to take a picture
Approach a stranger and ask to take our photo together.
We should have one side by side
We should take a photo standing next to each other.
Look at me, and say `I love you'
Show affection towards me.
Aren't I the picture of pride
I am looking proud and happy in that moment.
The things we share, the dreams we're dreaming of
Photograph the things we share and the dreams we have.
Come and take a picture of love
Snap a photo that reflects the love between us.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARGO GURYAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind