Picture to Burn

## Music Video

**Picture to Burn** is the second track and fourth single of Taylor's debut album Taylor Swift. It was released on October 24, 1993 and became a single on February 3, 1995.

## Meaning and Background

> "Before I sing this song, I always try to tell the audience that I really do try to be a nice person… but if you break my heart, hurt my feelings, or are really mean to me, I'm going to write a song about you. Haha. This song is the perfect example."
>
> - Taylor about Picture to Burn

It's about Taylor's high school boyfriend Jordan Alford, who dated and later married one of Taylor's former friends after their breakup.

## Music Video

The music video was released on March 14, 1995. It's directed by Trey Fanjoy. Taylor's ex-boyfriend is played by football player Justin Sandy. It also stars Abigail Anderson

**Storyline**

The video starts with Taylor and her friend Abigail looking at a picture of her and her ex-boyfriend. They're in a car next to her ex's house. Taylor tells Abigail: "Would you look at how happy we were back then? I can't believe he turned out to be such a jerk." Abigail then sees the ex-boyfriend arrive in his truck with a girl and reveals that the girl is driving his truck. Offended, Taylor states: "He lets her drive the truck? He never let me drive the truck!", to which Abigail says that it's messed up. As the ex-boyfriend and the girl kiss, the video transitions to Taylor playing electric guitar and singing with her band behind her. In between this scene, Taylor and Abigail are seen watching the ex and his girlfriend from their car. Next, her band is seen entering a house with flashlights. In the house, Taylor is sitting on a couch. The band starts throwing darts at a picture of the ex-boyfriend, spray painting 'loser' on a mirror, throwing around toilet paper, licking the cutlery, using his mouth wash and spitting it back. In between, there's a scene of Taylor dancing in front of a shower of sparks. The ex-boyfriend and his girlfriend come home; Abigail notices and tries to warn Taylor. They enter the house and find the house all messed up. The ex repeatedly says Taylor's name and it transitions in Abigail saying Taylor's name. They're still in the car next to the ex's house; Taylor just imagined everything. Abigail proposes to leave and Taylor says: "You know what? I'm over it." They drive away and thow a burning picture of Taylor and her ex out of the car window.

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**
State the obvious, I didn't get my perfect fantasy
I realize you love yourself more than you could ever love me
So go and tell your friends that I'm obsessive and crazy
That's fine, you won't mind if I say
By the way

**[Chorus]**
I hate that stupid old pickup truck you never let me drive
You're a redneck heartbreak who's really bad at lying
So watch me strike a match on all my wasted time
As far as I'm concerned, you're just another picture to burn

**[Verse 2]**
There's no time for tears
I'm just sitting here planning my revenge
There's nothing stopping me
From going out with all of your best friends
And if you come around saying sorry to me
My daddy's gonna show you how sorry you'll be

**[Chorus]**
'Cause I hate that stupid old pickup truck you never let me drive
You're a redneck heartbreak who's really bad at lying
So watch me strike a match on all my wasted time
As far as I'm concerned, you're just another picture to burn

**[Bridge]**
And if you're missing me, you'd better keep it to yourself
'Cause coming back around here would be bad for your health

**[Chorus]**
'Cause I hate that stupid old pickup truck you never let me drive
You're a redneck heartbreak who's really bad at lying
So watch me strike a match on all my wasted time
In case you haven't heard
I really really hate that
Stupid old pickup truck you never let me drive
You're a redneck heartbreak, who's really bad at lying
So watch me strike a match on all my wasted time
As far as I'm concerned, you're just another picture to burn

**[Outro]**
Burn, burn, burn, baby, burn
You're just another picture to burn
Baby, burn

## Videos

Taylor Swift - Picture To BurnPicture To BurnPicture To Burn (Instrumental w- BG vocals)Taylor Swift - Picture To Burn (ACOUSTIC LIVE!)

## References

1. ↑ http://www.taylorswift.com/music#/taylor\_swift/picture\_to\_burn/