Music and art have always been deeply connected, and Songs About Painting beautifully capture this creative synergy.
Through lyrics and melodies, these songs explore themes of color, imagination, and self-expression.
Some tracks use painting as a metaphor for emotions, while others celebrate the artistic process itself.
From rock to folk to jazz, musicians have long drawn inspiration from the world of visual art.
Let’s dive into a collection of incredible songs that bring the magic of painting to life.
1. “Painting by Numbers” by Peter Hammill (1986) – Perfect Rock Song About Painting
About this song:
- Album: Skin
- Released: 1986
- Artist: Peter Hammill
- Genre: Alternative/Indie, Rock
- Key Lyric: “Painting by numbers doesn’t add up. It’s passionless bed-rest.”
“Painting by Numbers” was released in 1986 as part of Peter Hammill’s album Skin.
The lyrics criticize mechanical creativity, comparing lifeless routines to color-by-numbers painting.
Hammill, known for his poetic songwriting, uses this metaphor to explore the tension between authenticity and repetition.
The song was written during a period of artistic reflection, making it a statement against formulaic creation.
It conveys frustration with superficiality in both art and life, urging deeper emotional engagement.
2. “Painting People Blue” by Gruff Rhys (2007) – Best Indie Song About Painting
About this song:
- Album: Candylion
- Released: 2007
- Artist: Gruff Rhys
- Genre: Alternative/Indie
- Key Lyric: “Painting people blue. (People, people, people, people).”
In 2007, “Painting People Blue” was featured on Gruff Rhys’ album Candylion, a collection of whimsical and surreal songs.
The lyrics take a playful approach to the act of painting, symbolizing the way emotions and identities can be altered.
Rhys, known for his vivid storytelling, composed this song as part of an album exploring dreamlike, childlike perspectives.
The track uses repetition and layered vocals to create a hypnotic, almost meditative effect.
It suggests that people can be transformed—whether through art, love, or experiences—just like a canvas.
3. “Painting Box” by The Incredible String Band (1967) – Recommended Folk Song About Painting
About this song:
- Album: The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion
- Released: 1967
- Artist: Incredible String Band
- Genre: Folk
- Key Lyric: “For somewhere in my mind there is a painting box. I have every color there it’s true.”
The 1967 folk track “Painting Box” captures a psychedelic and poetic take on creativity and imagination.
Mike Heron of The Incredible String Band wrote the song during the height of the counterculture movement, reflecting the era’s artistic freedom.
The lyrics use the image of a painting box as a symbol for limitless expression and internal vision.
With a whimsical melody and intricate acoustic instrumentation, it evokes the feeling of an artist mixing colors on a canvas.
It celebrates the idea that everyone has a personal “painting box” within them, ready to bring imagination to life.
4. “Paint It Black” by U2 (1991) – Awesome Rock Song
About this song:
- Album: Achtung Baby (Deluxe Edition)
- Released: 1991
- Artist: U2
- Genre: Rock
- Key Lyric: “And I wanna paint it black. Maybe then I’ll fade away.”
U2’s “Paint It Black” is a cover of The Rolling Stones’ classic, adding their signature sound to the iconic track.
The song delves into themes of grief and despair, using painting as a metaphor for emotional darkness.
Bono’s haunting vocals bring a fresh intensity to the lyrics, emphasizing the weight of personal sorrow.
Recorded during the Achtung Baby sessions, this version carries the same experimental and moody atmosphere as the album.
It reinforces the idea that color—or the lack of it—can represent deep, unshakable emotions.
5. “Painting by Chagall” by The Weepies (2006) – Remarkable Folk Song About Painting
About this song:
- Album: Say I Am You
- Released: 2006
- Artist: Deb Talan, Steve Tannen, and The Weepies
- Genre: Folk
- Key Lyric: “We float like two lovers in a painting by Chagall. All around is sky and blue town.”
“Painting by Chagall” is a tender folk song by The Weepies, released in 2006 on Say I Am You.
Inspired by the dreamlike works of painter Marc Chagall, the song likens love to the weightless figures in his art.
Deb Talan and Steve Tannen composed it as an expression of deep romantic connection and escape into beauty.
The melody’s soft acoustics and poetic lyrics create an atmosphere of floating through a colorful, surreal world.
It captures the way love can make reality feel like an ethereal painting, suspended in time and space.
6. “Paint a Rumour” by Eurythmics (1983) – Stunning Pop Song
About this song:
- Album: Touch
- Released: 1983
- Artist: Eurythmics
- Genre: Pop, Electronica, Dance Pop
- Key Lyric: “Paint a rumour. What’s it gonna spread?”
“Paint a Rumour” is an electrifying track from Eurythmics’ 1983 album Touch, blending pop with hypnotic electronica.
The song metaphorically links painting to the act of spreading rumors, portraying how words and gossip take on vivid life.
Annie Lennox’s haunting vocals amplify the mysterious and shadowy atmosphere, making the lyrics even more powerful.
Written during the rise of electronic dance music, this track embraced synthesizers to create a futuristic, layered sound.
Rather than focusing on traditional painting, it paints ideas and whispers in the air, illustrating how rumors evolve like brushstrokes.
7. “Paint Me a Birmingham” by Tracy Lawrence (2004) – Excellent Country Song About Painting
About this song:
- Album: Strong
- Released: 2004
- Artist: Tracy Lawrence
- Genre: Country
- Key Lyric: “I asked him if he only painted ocean scenes. He said, “For twenty dollars, I’ll paint you anything”.”
“Paint Me a Birmingham” is a heartfelt country ballad that was released in 2004 on Tracy Lawrence’s album Strong.
It tells the story of a man asking an artist to paint him a scene of the life he dreamed about but never had.
The song’s nostalgic lyrics symbolize painting as a way to preserve lost love and unfulfilled dreams.
Originally written by Buck Moore and Gary Duffy, it struck a chord with listeners for its storytelling and emotional weight.
This song highlights how art can capture emotions and memories, giving them a new life on canvas.
8. “When I Paint My Masterpiece” by The Band (1971) – Wonderful Rock Song
About this song:
- Album: Cahoots
- Released: 1971
- Artist: The Band
- Genre: Rock
- Key Lyric: “She promised she’d be there with me. When I paint my masterpiece.”
Bob Dylan wrote “When I Paint My Masterpiece”, but it was The Band’s version in 1971 that brought it to life with a rootsy, reflective sound.
The lyrics explore a restless journey, with painting a “masterpiece” serving as a metaphor for personal achievement and fulfillment.
Robbie Robertson’s signature guitar work and Levon Helm’s earthy vocals enhance the song’s introspective and adventurous spirit.
It was recorded during a time when Dylan and The Band were exploring themes of travel, destiny, and artistic legacy.
The song uses the imagery of painting to express the desire for something great yet unattainable, mirroring the struggles of creativity.
9. “Paint Her Face” by The Records (1988) – Ideal Rock Song About Painting
About this song:
- Album: Smashes, Crashes And Near Misses
- Released: 1988
- Artist: The Records
- Genre: Rock
- Key Lyric: “To paint her face. All the colors were bright.”
In 1988, “Paint Her Face” was released by The Records, a band known for its melodic power pop sound.
The song’s lyrics describe an artist bringing a woman to life on canvas, infusing color and emotion into the painting.
A blend of romance and artistic devotion, the track highlights how a subject can live forever through a painter’s vision.
It was recorded during a time when The Records experimented with deeper storytelling in their songwriting.
With its rich imagery, the song equates love and memory with the power of artistic creation.
10. “Paint It Black” by Eric Burdon (1967) – Amazing Classic Soul Song
About this song:
- Album: Together We Stand (Live Bremen ’70)
- Released: 1967
- Artist: Eric Burdon
- Genre: Classic Soul
- Key Lyric: “I see a red door and I want to paint it black. No colors in my life, you better turn them black.”
Eric Burdon’s rendition of “Paint It Black” in 1967 gave a new soul-infused energy to The Rolling Stones’ original.
His deep, bluesy vocals reimagined the song with a raw intensity that made it unique in the world of soul and rock.
The lyrics metaphorically paint the world in black to symbolize grief, depression, and a loss of joy.
Recorded live, Burdon’s version showcased his ability to interpret songs with passion, making them his own.
By turning colors into darkness, the song reinforces the idea of emotional transformation through artistic expression.
Conclusion
Songs About Painting showcase the beautiful connection between music and visual art.
Whether using painting as a metaphor or celebrating creativity, these tracks bring color to sound.
Artists across genres have drawn inspiration from the brushstrokes of life and imagination.
Music, like painting, allows for limitless self-expression and emotional depth.
Explore these songs and let them paint vivid pictures in your mind and heart.