The original band, billed simply as "The Modern Lovers", existed from 1970–74 but their recordings were not released until 1976 or later. It featured Jonathan Richman and bassist Ernie Brooks with drummer David Robinson (later of The Cars) and keyboardist Jerry Harrison (later of Talking Heads). The sound of the band owed a great deal to the influence of The Velvet Underground, and is now considered one of the leading bands of the "proto-punk" scene. It pointed the way towards much of the Punk, New Wave and Indie rock music of later decades. Their only album, the eponymous The Modern Lovers, contained stylistically unprecedented[citation needed] songs about dating awkwardness, growing up in Massachusetts, and love of life and the USA.
After recording several tracks in 1972 and '73, including "I'm Straight" (referring here to abstaining from drug use), and "Government Center", Richman wanted to scrap the tracks that were recorded and start over with a mellower, more lyrical sound. The rest of the band, while not opposed to such a shift later, insisted at the time that they record as they already sounded. They continued and eventually, the first album was released in 1976. Long before its release, however, creative differences split the band apart.
Later, Richman used the name Modern Lovers for a variety of backing bands, always billed as "Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers." These bands were quieter and featured more low-key, often near-childlike, songs, as Richman drew on folk-rock and other genres. Out of Richman's original bandmates, only Robinson was part of any of the other Modern Lovers incarnations.
Pablo Picasso
The Modern Lovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some people try to pick up girls
And get called asshole
This never happened to Pablo Picasso
He could walk down your street
And girls could not resist to stare
And so Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole
When he would drive down their street
In his El Dorado
He could walk down your street
And girls could not resist to stare
Pablo Picasso never got called an asshole
Not like you
Alright
Well he was only five foot three
But girls could not resist to stare
Pablo Picasso never got called an asshole
Not in New York
Ah, well
Show me not, smock me not, obnoxious me not, bell bottom, bummer or asshole
Remember the story of Pablo Picasso
He could walk down your street
And girls could not resist to stare
Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole
All right, this is it
Well
Some people try to pick up girls
And get called an asshole
This never happened to Pablo Picasso
He could walk down your street
And girls could not resist to stare
And so Pablo Picasso was never called
The Modern Lovers' song "Pablo Picasso" is a humorous tribute to the famed Spanish artist who was known for his eccentricities and unconventional approach to art. The song begins with the lyrics "Some people try to pick up girls/And get called asshole/This never happened to Pablo Picasso". Here, the songwriter suggests that Picasso possessed a certain charisma and sexual allure that made him irresistible to women, unlike the average man who may be seen as creepy or disrespectful when trying to hit on women. The songwriter goes on to describe how the sight of Picasso would cause women to turn green with envy and stare at him in admiration.
In the chorus, the songwriter repeats the phrase "Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole," emphasizing the idea that Picasso was a unique figure who was above social conventions and could do no wrong. The second verse reveals that the artist was only five foot three, making his power over women even more astounding. In the final verse, the songwriter advises listeners to remember the story of Pablo Picasso and his ability to captivate people wherever he went. The song is both a celebration of the artist's legendary status and a playful commentary on male-female relations.
· The song was written by Jonathan Richman when he was 19 years old and originally recorded in 1972.
· The song was produced by John Cale, former member of the New York avant-garde rock band, The Velvet Underground.
· Modern Lovers reunited in 1976 to record a version of the hit single, however, the song never charted higher than 92.
· Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song #355 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
· David Bowie also covered “Pablo Picasso” on the B-side of his single “Sorrow” in 1973.
· The Modern Lovers launched their live career opening for John Cale at the Roundhouse in London in 1972. This would mark the beginning of punk rock.
· Jonatham Richman was a fan of rock & roll icon Elvis Presley and is believed to have written “Roadrunner” as tribute to Elvis.
· “Pablo Picasso” was one of the twelve songs added to the original album on the 1976 re-release.
· The Modern Lovers later provided a number of other songs for the soundtrack of the acclaimed film "There's Something About Mary".
· Though the song itself does not mention Pablo Picasso’s artwork, the cover of the single and and the video for the song both feature some of Picasso's most famous paintings.
Chords:
Verse
D A E A
D A E A
Chorus
G A D A
G A D A
Line by Line Meaning
Some people try to pick up girls
There are people who actively try to pick up girls
And get called asshole
But they are often called assholes for doing so
This never happened to Pablo Picasso
However, Pablo Picasso did not face this problem
He could walk down your street
Pablo Picasso could simply walk down a street
And girls could not resist to stare
And girls would be unable to resist staring at him
And so Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole
As a result of this, he was never called an asshole like others who tried to pick up girls
Well, the girls would turn the color of an avocado
The effect he had on girls was so intense that they would turn green like an avocado
When he would drive down their street
Especially when he drove down their street
In his El Dorado
In his luxurious Cadillac El Dorado
He could walk down your street
Again, he was able to simply walk down a street
And girls could not resist to stare
And girls would still be unable to resist staring at him
Pablo Picasso never got called an asshole
And so he was still never called an asshole
Not like you
Unlike those who tried to pick up girls
Well he was only five foot three
Despite being only 5'3" tall
But girls could not resist to stare
Girls still couldn't help but stare at him
Pablo Picasso never got called an asshole
Again, he was never called an asshole
Not in New York
Not even in the notoriously tough city of New York
Show me not, smock me not, obnoxious me not, bell bottom, bummer or asshole
Don't try to dress me up or make me something I'm not, or else you'll end up like those who get called assholes
Remember the story of Pablo Picasso
Think about the story of Pablo Picasso and how he was able to capture attention without trying too hard
He could walk down your street
Once again, he was able to simply walk down a street
And girls could not resist to stare
And girls still wouldn't be able to resist staring at him
Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole
And so he continued to avoid the designation of asshole
All right, this is it
The song concludes with this statement
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Jonathan Richman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Robinson
My brother was the drummer and the keyboardist was Jerry Harrison who later joined Talking Heads, when they did this live they switched instruments.
T-Rexx
your brother is an awesome drummer!
DRChupacabrah
that's rad
Shane Watson
Is your brother David? If so, he played on an absolutely legendary album!
Ed Helvey
David Robinson of the Cars?
Florida Cracker Guitar Tips
In early 1980’s, heard this on local independent radio (WMNF) working night shift cleaning a restaurant while in college. New music like this was a life-saver compared to Corp FM radio rehashing the same stuff over and over again.
Jim Wilson
love it!
Chester Marcol
No Pablo Picasso, no Pixies.
True story
Natasha Fernandes
i love when he says 'el derado'
Joe Horizon
Jonathan Richman. I love this cover and Bowie's too.