'Paint A Vulgar Picture' Part II

Recorded in March-April 1987 at Wool Hall Studios in Bath, England, ‘Paint A Vulgar Picture’ is the 8th track on the Strangeways, Here We Come studio album. Morrissey and Johnny Marr each lent a hand to Stephen Street in the song’s production.

As with the other tracks on the Strangeways album, it is readily apparent that the musicianship of Johnny, Andy and Mike reached its apotheosis, their work over the short span of the Smiths existence having fully matured. The subtle blend of shimmering, jangly guitar, melodic basslines, propulsive drums, and an overall melancholic tone gives the song a sound that complements Morrissey’s plaintive vocals.

Listen to the song here:

The masterful musicianship of Marr, Rourke and Joyce can be fully appreciated when the vocals are removed from the track. Listen to the track sans vocals here:

Apparently saving the best for last, Marr finally indulged himself, performing his first extended guitar solo on the song¹, though some Smiths aficionados beg to differ (see ‘Shoplifters of the World Unite’).

“Coincidence or not, Marr also chose Paint A Vulgar Picture to 'lay down' his first guitar solo proper...
'Yeah, it was a big deal!' he grins wryly. 'I had to make everyone leave the studio, bring in a few candles... no, not really. The song just suited it. I always thought that if you played a guitar solo it should be something people could whistle... mind you, since then I've recorded solos that even Roger Whittaker would have problems whistling.” ²

As the author’s initial post on ‘Paint A Vulgar Picture’ was exclusively devoted to the the tracks’ lyrics, analysis in this regard in this post shall be no more than a scant précis, limited to a single quote from Morrissey:

"No, it wasn't about Rough Trade at all. So I was a bit confused when Geoff Travis, the Rough Trade big boy, despised it and stamped on it. It was about the music industry in general, about practically anybody who's died and left behind that frenetic fanatical legacy which sends people scrambling. Billy Fury, Marc Bolan..."³

A monitor mix of the song remained under wraps for nearly 25 years until it was considered for part of a reissue project. The monitor mix, taken from a record company cd-r, was eventually leaked in 2010. This recording was included on the 2010 vinyl bootleg titled The Smiths.

Cover of the 2010 bootleg

This bootleg LP features previously unreleased studio demos, outtakes and instrumentals. 'Paint A Vulgar Picture' appears on the bootleg as track D3, with its title misspelled as 'Paint A Vulger Picture' on the label.

Detail of the back cover of The Smiths bootleg featuring the misspelled song title

The monitor mix features fulsome bass and drums, each of which are much more prominent than that which is heard on the studio version. However, this is seemingly done at the expense of Johnny’s guitar, which is vaguely distant. The monitor mix does not contain the final version’s ever-present tambourine, nor Marr's 35-second guitar solo. Also missing on the demo is the final version's outro, which featured a groan from Morrissey, whistling, and finally clapping.