Photograph (Demo)

R.E.M.

Track 27 on Automatic for the People [25th Anniversary Edition]

Producers

R.E.M.’s “Photograph (Demo)” is an unfinished outtake from the recording session which resulted in Automatic for the People. The song was ultimately revised and released as… Read More

1 viewer

Photograph (Demo) Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I found this photograph
Stashed between the old joist walls
In a trunk behind the attic
Desk where on something falls
Stuck between forgotten songs
Written in a foreign hand
Mass-printed for the fans
Of some forgotten big brass band

[Chorus]
Was she willing when she said
Those are pretty photographs
Were they happy in their time?
Does this picture tell a lie?
Big smiles for the camera
They call it their own
A moment to forget your troubles
Call it your own

[Verse 2: Non-lyrical Vocalizing]

[Chorus]
Did you get ahead of it?
Movies hadn't happened yet
Television's just a dream
Radio was soon to bring
Big smiles to your father
You call it your own
A moment to forget your troubles
Call it your own

[Interlude]
Natalie, Natalie, Natalie, Natalie, Natalie

[Chorus]
Was she willing when she said
Those are pretty photographs
Were you happy in your time?
Does this picture tell a lie?
Big smiles for your father
They call it your own
A moment to forget your troubles
Call it your own

[Outro]
Big smiles for your father
Call it your own
A moment to forget your troubles
Call it your own

Embed

About

R.E.M.’s “Photograph (Demo)” is an unfinished outtake from the recording session which resulted in Automatic for the People. The song was ultimately revised and released as a collaboration with Natalie Merchant on the 1993 abortion rights benefit Born to Choose. Even in its raw, demo form, “Photograph” feels very much of a piece with the songs on Automatic for the People: it features a nostalgic set of lyrics about times-gone-by over a jaunty-yet-melancholic acoustic bed.