"Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me)" is a song by the British–American rock… Read Full Bio ↴"Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me)" is a song by the British–American rock band Paul McCartney and Wings, released on their 1973 album Band on the Run. The longest track on the album, it was not released as a single. The song includes interpolations of "Jet" and "Mrs. Vandebilt," the second and fourth tracks on the album, respectively.

McCartney says he was on vacation in Montego Bay, Jamaica where he "snuck" onto the set of the film Papillon where he met Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen. After a dinner with Hoffman, with McCartney playing around on guitar, Hoffman did not believe that McCartney could write a song "about anything", so Hoffman pulled out a magazine where they saw the story of the death of Pablo Picasso and his famous last words, "Drink to me, drink to my health. You know I can't drink anymore." McCartney created a demo of the song and lyrics on the spot, prompting Hoffman to exclaim to his wife: "…look, he's doing it… he's doing it!"

While recording Band on the Run in Lagos, Nigeria, Wings were invited to former Cream drummer Ginger Baker's ARC Studios in the nearby suburb of Ikeja. While Baker insisted to McCartney that they should record the entire album there, McCartney was reluctant and agreed he would spend one day there. "Picasso's Last Words" was recorded during that time and Baker contributed by playing a tin can full of gravel.

Picasso's Last Words
Paul McCartney & Wings Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

A grand old painter died last night
His paintings on the wall
Before he went, he bade us well
And said goodnight to us all

Drink to me, drink to my health
You know I can't drink any more
Drink to me, drink to my health

You know I can't drink any more

Three o'clock in the morning
I'm getting ready for bed
It came without a warning
But I'll be waiting for you baby
I'll be waiting for you there

So drink to me drink to my health
You know I can't drink any more
Drink to me drink to my health
You know I can't drink any more

Jet, ooo, ooo, ooo
Jet, ooo, ooo, ooo
Jet, ooo, ooo, ooo
Jet, ooo, ooo, ooo

Drink to me, drink to my health
You know I can't drink any more
Drink to me, drink to my health
You know I can't drink any more

I'll be waiting for your baby, yeah yeh

Drink to me, drink to my health
You know I can't drink any more
Drink to me, drink to my health
You know I can't drink any more

Drink to me, drink to my health
You know I, hey ho, ho hey ho
Ho hey ho, ho hey ho
Ho hey ho, ho hey ho

Ho hey ho, ho hey ho
Ho hey ho, ho hey ho

Overall Meaning

"Picasso's Last Words" is a tribute to the famous Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, who passed away in 1973. The song was recorded by Paul McCartney & Wings and released on their album Band on the Run in 1973. The first verse of the song speaks about the painter's death and the legacy he left behind in the form of his paintings that adorned many walls. Before his death, he bade farewell to everyone, and the singer seems to be paying him homage in this song.

The chorus, which repeats the words "Drink to me, drink to my health", appears to be a toast to the memory of Picasso. McCartney himself has stated that the chorus is a reference to a traditional British tune called "Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes." The lines "You know I can't drink any more" that are repeated throughout the song suggest that the singer is either a recovering alcoholic or someone who doesn't want to indulge in drinking anymore.

The second verse talks about the singer getting ready for bed at three in the morning and waiting for someone. The identity of this person is unclear, but it's possible that the singer is waiting for their lover to join them. The song ends with the repeated line "Ho hey ho", which is simply Paul McCartney making up a chant for fun.

Overall, "Picasso's Last Words" appears to be a tribute from Paul McCartney to the great artist who inspired him in many ways. The song is a celebration of Picasso's life and work, and it captures the essence of the man who was known for his revolutionary painting techniques.

Line by Line Meaning

A grand old painter died last night
Last night, a great painter passed away

His paintings on the wall
His artworks remain on the walls

Before he went, he bade us well
Before his departure, he gave us his farewell greetings

And said goodnight to us all
He also said goodnight to all of us present

Drink to me, drink to my health
Raise a drink in my honor and to my health

You know I can't drink any more
However, I cannot drink anymore

Three o'clock in the morning
As it is three in the morning

I'm getting ready for bed
I am just about to go to bed

It came without a warning
Something unexpected occurred

But I'll be waiting for you baby
Nevertheless, I will always be waiting for you

I'll be waiting for you there
I will always be here, waiting for you