Treat Her Right's self-financed debut, Treat Her Right, was released on the small Boston label Soul Selects Records in 1986. It was a modest success; Champagne's "I Got a Gun" and Sandman's cover of James Blood Ulmer's "Where Did All the Girls Come From?" received some play on college radio. "I Think She Likes Me" describes Sandman's experience in a Fairplay, Colorado bar where a woman came on to him. The group signed to RCA Records, who reissued the debut in 1988.
Tied to the Tracks was issued in 1989. Sales did not meet RCA's expectations. In the notes for their third record, the group writes, "RCA decided that if our little basement tape could do so well, why not spend fifty times more money and it will be fifty times better! (They think everything works like that.)" Treat Her Right were dropped from their RCA contract.
What's Good for You was issued on Rounder Records in 1991. The ragged, live-in-the-studio sound was partly modeled on the model established by Chess Records, which had released many classic blues and early rock and roll records.
Shortly after this third release, Treat Her Right disbanded, but reformed in 1995 under the direction of Rolling Stones backup guitar player Bob Anderson, and disbanded a second time in 1998.
Picture Of The Future
Treat Her Right Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's so mean, but I gotta love it
And I just can't let her go
I'm so whipped on her tiny little
She's a tempting animal
Spends too much and I never tell her no
Drives me nuts and she got me by the throat
And I just can't let her go
La la la, la la la la la la la, la la la
I just can't let her go
La la la, la la la la la la la, la la la
I just can't let her go
Breaks a billion hearts
I know I'm next in line
But I don't mind, yeah, oh oh oh oh
I want her, everybody wants her
She knows it, hey hey hey.
I want her, but I better run away
Oh oh oh oh
She's so mean, but I gotta love it
And I just can't let her go
I'm so whipped on her tiny little
She's a tempting animal
Spends too much and I never tell her no
Drives me nuts and she got me by the throat
She's so mean, but I gotta love it
And I just can't let her go
La la la, la la la la la la la, la la la
I just can't let her go
La la la, la la la la la la la, la la la
I just can't let her go
The song "Picture of the Future" by Treat Her Right is about a man who is in love with a woman who is mean and manipulative. Despite her negative traits, he cannot let her go because he is deeply attracted to her. He is so infatuated with her that he is willing to put up with her bad habits, such as spending too much money and driving him crazy. The woman knows that she is desirable and plays with his emotions, despite knowing that she is breaking hearts along the way.
The lyrics show the power dynamic between the two lovers, where the woman holds all the cards, and the man is powerless in the relationship. This dynamic is reinforced by the repetition of the phrase, "I just can't let her go," where the man is clearly conflicted about his feelings for the woman. He knows that she is trouble, but he cannot help himself, and he continues to pursue her despite the consequences.
Overall, "Picture of the Future" is a song about the allure of dangerous relationships and the power that one person can wield over another.
Line by Line Meaning
She's so mean, but I gotta love it
Despite her harsh behavior, I am drawn to her and feel love towards her.
And I just can't let her go
I find it impossible to break away from my connection to her, no matter how hard I try.
I'm so whipped on her tiny little
I feel completely submissive and devoted to her, no matter how small or insignificant the reason may seem.
She's a tempting animal
She has a seductive and alluring presence, drawing me towards her.
Spends too much and I never tell her no
Even when she spends excessively, I cannot refuse her requests or deny her anything.
Drives me nuts and she got me by the throat
Her behavior causes me extreme frustration and stress, yet I am still under her control and at her mercy.
Breaks a billion hearts
She has caused pain and heartbreak to countless individuals before me.
I know I'm next in line
I understand that I am not immune to the heartbreak that she has caused in the past.
But I don't mind, yeah, oh oh oh oh
Despite the potential for heartbreak, I am still willing to continue pursuing her.
I want her, everybody wants her
She is highly desired and sought after by many.
She knows it, hey hey hey.
She is well aware of her desirability and uses it to her advantage.
I want her, but I better run away
I am drawn to her, but logically I know that it would be best for me to distance myself and move on.
Contributed by Adam S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.