Morrissey - Paint A Vulgar Picture (live)

Dec. 1, 1997 Lisebergshallen, Gothenburg, Sweden

[@josh656]

Criminally underrated “You could have walked away, couldn’t you?”

[@GuillaumeDeleurence]

Probably one of the best Smiths songs. A pure jewel.

[@leticiaoliveira3644]

probably one of the best songs ever.

[@frederick909]

Exactly.

[@sexobscura]

I know they didn't pen it, but it doesn't hold a candle to *'Golden Lights'*

[@mijadreams3486]

@@sexobscura LMAO

[@danielesantoro3806]

Definitely the best british song ever.

[@cjph69]

I met Morrissey at the soundcheck. And I danced my legs down to the knees. The Smiths were the best!

[@pk1961]

I have never loved anyone more in my entire life than Morrissey. This song WILL make a comeback. KROQ - you listening????????

[@timothymcgivern6883]

What an amazing, beautiful song. When ur dancing in ur room to ur idols music, forgetting they are human, just like you. I adore this song and it is why MORRISSEY is such a genius.

[@leticiaoliveira3644]

brilliant. this song is a true masterpiece. love the smiths, they will forever have a place in my heart. love morrissey, love the way he is, the way he sings... I just love it all. could someone play this song at my funeral? I would really like it. fucking great song. it speaks to me in a way like no other can. actually, all the smiths songs do that to me. the songs nowadays are so empty! I wish everyone could hear them. I'm so sad I wasn't alive when they were still together. this song is gold. oh my, I got all emotional over the smiths yet again lol

[@jamestaylor935]

your right this record is so underrated one of their best in my eyes.......

[@MiserableMoz]

CAN I TAKE YOUR COMMENT AND COMBAT IT IN A SONG?

[@INFPinSA]

Leticia, just curious, are you an INFP by chance?

[@leticiaoliveira3644]

@@INFPinSA wow, definetely wasn't expecting to see a reply to a comment I made so many years ago (though my opinion hasn't changed lol). I'm actually an INFJ, so you almost got it right hahaha

[@INFPinSA]

​@@leticiaoliveira3644 Haha! Morrissey fans of the world unite! I was looking for a live version of this song. it's one of my favorites. So was reading the comments and as I was reading yours I was thinking, she HAS to be an INFP! :P By the way, where do think Moz falls? kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqGZaZiMnbRjj9E

[@TheGypsyKing33]

Love how he changes the lyrics from "you" to "I" !! Guess he's admitting to taking part in all the industry hoopla he was originally criticizing?

[@damonmazuryk6126]

The cool think about it is that it’s also referring to the other smiths song “you just haven’t eared it yet baby”

[@azzy4627]

Rolling stones magazine rated this song 71/73 in the top 73 Smith's songs of all time, whats the deal

[@Mrdede1998]

I know. What a great song about the music industry and the idealised view the young and hopeless have of the people in it.

[@jesus3373]

I change my mind about the best Smiths'song ever everyday. Definitely in my top 10 though. Rusholme Ruffians is my fave ATM :)

[@LA7777777777]

16 years later, which is your favourite now?

[@M4rko96]

I really feel depressed with this song. I just love it, especially the line "sadly, this was your life; and you could've said no if you'd wanted to"

[@feke19833]

But me and my 'true love' Will never meet again...

[@Iannrsv]

Morrissey is the King!

[@chmglh]

Absolutely love this tune one of their greatest, incredible to think the smiths never played it live :(. What i would give to see a reunion, just to see johnny and morrissey nail this!

[@glorf3558]

Fantastic, couldnt agree more.

[@andreastephenson3891]

Beautiful! This is one of my favorite songs from the Smiths and in general. I would’ve cried my eyes out if I heard this song live! Brilliant❤️❤️

[@albertoraimondopalleggi]

This is the most beautiful song that I ever heard

[@Talvisielu]

My favorite song...I'll die to hear this live...thank you Morrissey and Smiths =)

[@Josh_J91]

Im so glad this was filmed

[@diesel929]

you said: Best song off of Strangeways, if not ever I say: Agreed

[@alexsteadman8013]

What a fcukin gem of a tune this is,best thing I’ve seen on the internet today 👌

[@avin1973]

They cannot touch you now, but me and my true love, will never meet again.

[@tmantonytv1166]

They can never taint you my darling’

[@eduardoortega9002]

They cannot touch you now

[@AFancyHippo]

You're just the same as I am, what makes most people feel happy, leads us headlong into harm.

[@oliviercalmel2]

brilliant!!! words and melody are incredible

[@PHOENIXHOUSE137]

Morrissey writes the most beautiful vocal melodies this is very rarely mentioned.

[@Josh_J91]

This song is so rare that if you type it in on KZbin other smith songs come up few spaces down haha

[@EmoAngelFuentes]

His love for the Dolls is so admirable…. Even when shunned he still appreciated every moment of them … for him to write such an ode to a memory speaks volumes of how much the human heart can admire and endure. Just like your love for them Moz, I cherish you the same . Even though you’ll never notice me, I always carry your art with me.

[@gamingforidiots401]

I danced my legs down to the knees...

[@robertodowneso]

brilliant song, strangeways was the best album (in my opinion) sad though, as it gives us a taster of how good they could have gone on to be : (

[@DavyCaRavy]

Absolutely pure Smiths wonderfulyl melodic music, wonderfully majestic

[@sidandmoi]

Are you serious? It's my fav song!!! The lyrics, the music...so perfect.

[@oliviercalmel2]

my favorite Smith' song

[@a1950hotrodcat]

I've never seen a live clip of this tune before! Thank you Suparni!

[@pamelarojas5255]

Love this song!!

[@MrRoachman]

MTV MTV MTV OH KISS THEIR ARSES, on of the greatest Morrissey lyrics

[@StudioScarecrow]

Thank you. Thank you. I know this comment is five years old, but this song is one of my favorite of all time. I never see it get brought up by critics, but it's just fucking gorgeous... that riff, that solo, those lyrics...

[@darinjaddison]

still one of my fave Smiths' songs

[@mlves7001]

"Best of! Most of"... I love The Smiths!

[@whoabrian]

Long live marr’s solo. Great track! Love the vhs footage

[@mylestails]

only one man could ever do this

[@milanotiki]

definatelly one of the most sensitive songs by the smiths,and believe me or not,I heard them all in every version,live,demo,lost tapes,remasters,etc...never trust the querry,milano tiki,belgrade,serbia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!serious as that..................

[@QualiTeaGaming]

Them all live? where and when, for there are some Smiths song Morrissey hasn't sang from strangeways?

[@santa3915]

Il mio amore..Morrissey. .visto dal vivo..stra meraviglioso! !!

[@315Bodhi17]

At the record company meeting On their hands - a dead star And oh, the plans they weave And oh, the sickening greed At the record company party On their hands - a dead star The sycophantic slags all say : "I knew him first, and I knew him well" Re-issue! Re-package! Re-package! Re-evaluate the songs Double-pack with a photograph Extra track (and a tacky badge) A-list, playlist "Please them , please them !" "Please them !" (sadly, this was your life) But you could have said no If you'd wanted to You could have said no If you'd wanted to BPI, MTV, BBC "Please them ! Please then!" (sadly this was your life) But you could have said no If you'd wanted to You could have walked away ...Couldn't you? I touched you at the soundcheck You had no real way of knowing In my heart I begged "Take me with you ... I don't care where you're going..." But to you I was faceless I was fawning, I was boring Just a child from those ugly new houses Who could never begin to know Who could never really know Oh... Best of! Most of! Satiate the need Slip them into different sleeves! Buy both, and feel deceived Climber - new entry, re-entry World tour! ("media whore") "Please the Press in Belgium!" (This was your life...) And when it fails to recoup ? Well, maybe : You just haven't earned it yet, baby I walked a pace behind you at the soundcheck You're just the same as I am What makes most people feel happy Leads us headlong into harm So, in my bedroom in those 'ugly new houses' I danced my legs down to the knees But me and my 'true love' Will never meet again... At the record company meeting On their hands - at last! - A dead star ! But they can never taint you in my eyes No, they can never touch you now No, they cannot hurt you, my darling They cannot touch you now But me and my 'true love' Will never meet again Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Steven Morrissey / Johnny Marr

[@kevinlancewicz4030]

Holy shit is that beautiful

[@Ian666peace]

Strangeways is a superb album that never got toured so dome ofcthe killer tracks haven't had the same exposure of a lot of other Smiths aongs

[@MrMbws]

I saw him sing this from 20 feet away, in Central Park, NYC on this tour.

[@yourbeaut6187]

The best Smiths song

[@mequin8803]

wow what a rare treat for the fans. rare as hens teeth this song. those that say petty miss the point totally.

[@glorf3558]

Agreed.

[@leequinn2197]

I touched me at the sound check.

[@maryodell88]

Brill song didnt know it till was on Waterloo road tv prog on bbciplayer absolutely the guitar sound wowed me over

[@abluelagoon]

FANTASTIC! This is my all time favourite :D:D:D

[@Irata100]

Quality, and the lyrics are truer every year since 87 - agree about the guitars comment below: every Smiths fan could hum that solo

[@generalkawasaki9485]

thank you for this upload, I was a long time listener back in the day but grew tired of music in the dark ages basically everything after the 90s. Picked everything up again during covid, thought I had heard most bootlegs & demo's and I've NEVER heard this one live! Today I also listened to the demo and that one explains why the title is paint a vulgar picture.

[@kevinburchell2975]

Me and my true love, will never meet again.

[@AnnaAAnna163]

thank you suparni,this is my fav song in strangeways here we come

[@gilsaban1126]

Strange ways...their best album.37 minutes of pure genius.

[@oceaga]

This song is awesome

[@gamingforidiots401]

This was his love song to Johnny

[@frederick909]

ahhh *sighs*

[@zeroxxxask]

omg this was sweet! wish i could have been there..

[@sexobscura]

*the shockingly karmic irony of these lyrics is something that subsequently would come back to haunt the writer …*

[@BLLLYMUSIC]

just like "get off the stage".

[@oliverburke]

One man (like his Celtic cousin, Sean Connery) who aged soooo well. Very handsome over 40.

[@LexHipvkrita]

Que pinche Hermoses!!!!!!

[@thecurtainyvoid]

AWESOME!

[@54spiritedwill54]

Many many thanks to you for posting this!

[@hatfullahollow]

This is awesome. The Smiths broke up before touring anything off "Strangeways." Cheers to you suparni for posting!

[@jimtheskim]

@RTL ,I love this one too mate,,,,,we used to play card at my mates for days and thiS LP was always on.

[@JK2OJacko]

difficult task to be fair, i don't think he does that bad a job

[@DarkBanquet1]

One of the greatest songs EVER (but home boy on lead guitar couldn't hold Johnny Marr's guitar case).

[@cosmicactivity299]

❤❤❤

[@oysterboy9]

Really solid vocal performance from Moz. When and where was this?

[@BLLLYMUSIC]

read the description.

[@vernonhedge4530]

@@BLLLYMUSIC @ OP, where it states, Lisebergshallen, Gothenburg, Sweden, 1. December 1997

[@tarzan138]

i danced my legs down to the knees,and it freakin hurt.

[@elsquibbs]

Love it.

[@eisgren]

best smiths song ever. yup.

[@xvdanielvx]

I strongly agree.

[@vernonhedge4530]

"... you had no real way of knowing..."

[@frederick909]

God, that tempo at the ending... as if this song could've gotten any better

[@lbalcarce1973]

Tienes razón RTL, seguramente una de las canciones más injustamente olvidades.

[@vini6548]

most underrated smiths song

[@jesus3373]

TheMozzfather is a TRUE legend.

[@alejandrocurado5134]

The smiths never got to play this song live. It would have been amazing

[@old5333]

97?? He looks like he does in 2024

[@TJMartin-sj5br]

That riff by jmar are u kidding me

[@CaritoArcoiris]

te amo ttanto

[@carlosdaniel058]

At nothing, good night.. Someone besides me, do you think this song explained the gloomy future of the band? As arguments to these I think of two things (although it hides more), photos in the albums, Things of Smiths and the sad part in the soundcheck, naming when the band attended their recordings master.. This is sad, and it really overwhelms and deepens my tired soul.

[@sidandmoi]

Well the album version is by far better. The song is really long, took me days to learn it by heart. But the lyrics are so beautiful. And the best part is from 3:45

[@ArtDekko]

"I walked a pace behind you at the soundcheck, you're just the same as I am..." - along with the tone of his voice, the longing captured there is almost too much. Doesnt get much better than that - for me anyway.

[@angstriddenyouth]

"Please depressing Belgians. This was your life.."

[@itsjustme6403]

'Please the press in Belgium.' The Smith's label had to apologise to reporters waiting in Belgium because they didn't turn up the press conference and the Belgian media slated them.

[@angstriddenyouth]

Listen to the video!!! :)

[@leequinn2197]

​@angstriddenyouth definitely changed the lyrics live as u say. He does this quite a lot, sadly doesn't play this one tho.

[@Adriansh3r0]

"Harm" suggests that the fan murders his idol who's become a disgrace. "Walked a pace behind you" stalking after being rejected. "They cannot touch you now." Says enough.

[@mechashiva2]

@Slapbass13 you're approaching this from the wrong direction. keep in mind moz was a fan club president before he was a superstar. it's not about the record industry but about the relationships between celebrities and their fans--whining about industry suits is the only thing the narrator can do for a person who they never knew but genuinely cared about.

[@GaryAskwith1in5]

@Razorhalo i don't mind i s'pose that friends don't appreciate his songs makes them more something i s'pose i just don't know anyone that will pause for a breath

[@coreev]

I wish he could’ve performed it with the smiths 😢 but I mean, that is kind of what the song is about isn’t it.

[@oscarreid208]

Alas Smith and Jones.

[@ignatiusj.reilly2124]

That last two stanzas are missing

[@arthound70s83]

all was said

[@sidandmoi]

totally.

[@contessakitty]

I like it in b flat.

[@barnabyhughes5643]

This song could have been written about Freddie Mercury. I heard rumors and suspect that Morrissey may have known something of Freddie's Aids diagnosis in the late 80's. I also suspect that Morrissey himself is either gay or bisexual and maybe he new something that we didn't about Freddie's fate at the time he recorded this song with The Smiths and the disgusting money grubbing way that the record company (and the remaining members of Queen) would ultimately cash in on the legacy of Freddie after his death. It's just a thought?

[@TJMartin-sj5br]

Climb a new entry

[@AFancyHippo]

@padraic2001eire I know... i know... exactly. 10 Thumbs up.

[@keithsmith8331]

Amazing song but still his past and present band can never touch the soul of the Smith's version.

[@tubbs_chubbs]

Such plodders aren't they!

[@GaryAskwith1in5]

@mechashiva2 what do you mean he was a fan club president?

[@Fridaymourning-qr4bl]

President of the New York dolls fan club

[@Diana-qy4mc]

what is up with up with the nose rubbing, my love?

[@luapssub2415]

NilsBuss meet paulbuss

[@Reint25]

Well, most of that was done by his record-labels like Rough Trade. Obviously he hated it(the reason he wrote this song).