This Picture (song)

Infobox Single
Name = This Picture
Artist = Placebo


from Album = Sleeping with Ghosts
Released = July 2003
Format =
[ Recorded = ]
Genre = Alternative rock
Rock
Length = 3.34
Label = Virgin Records
Writer = Brian Molko; Placebo
Producer = ???
[ Certification = ]
Chart position =
* #23 (UK)
Last single = "The Bitter End" (2003)
This single = "This Picture" (2003)
Next single = "Special Needs" (2003)

"This Picture" is a single by alternative rock band Placebo. Released in July 2003, it was lifted from their album "Sleeping with Ghosts".

It tells the story of a relationship involving sadomasochism and an abusive female in a position of dominance. In the lyrics, the phrase "ashtray girl" is meant to refer to a woman who uses her partner as an "emotional ashtray"; "cigarette burns on my chest" makes reference to a supposed particular fetish of James Dean. As singer/lyricist Brian Molko commented, prior to its performance at a concert,

There's an old story that somebody told me once about James Dean. For those of you who don't know this yet, James Dean was gay. Yes, I'm sorry, it's true. He had a particular fetish where he liked to have cigarettes stubbed out on his chest. That's kind of an image that's always stayed with me, and part of the inspiration for this song.

The music video features Italian actress, Asia Argento.

Remixed by Junior Sanchez on bonus remix CD of One More with Feeling

Track listings

CD
# "This Picture"
# "Soulmates"
# "Where Is My Mind?" (XFM live version)

Australia
# "This Picture" - 3:36
# "Soulmates" -3:23
# "Where Is My Mind?" (XFM live version) - 3:56
# "Daddy Cool" (Boney M) - 3:21
# "Teenage Angst" (piano version) - 3:34

7"
# "This Picture"
# "Where Is My Mind?" (XFM live version)

DVD
*"This Picture" (video)
*Interview Footage
*"This Picture" (Acoustic version recorded by RTL2 France)
*"Jackie" - audio track.