Picture That

Roger Waters' song 'Picture That' is a vivid and unsettling exploration of modern societal and political issues. The lyrics paint a series of stark, often jarring images that reflect the chaos, corruption, and disillusionment of contemporary life. Waters uses a stream-of-consciousness style to take the listener on a journey through various scenes, each more disturbing than the last, to highlight the absurdity and tragedy of the human condition.

The song opens with personal and relatable imagery, such as leaning on a port rail and tossing away a cigarette, before quickly shifting to more global and political themes. Waters juxtaposes everyday actions with scenes of violence and war, such as a child with a hand on a trigger and prosthetics in Afghanistan. This contrast serves to underscore the pervasive impact of global conflicts on individual lives. The repeated imagery of a leader with 'no fucking brains' is a scathing critique of political leadership, suggesting incompetence and a lack of moral direction.

As the song progresses, Waters delves deeper into the absurdity and despair of modern existence. He describes a world where traditional structures and norms are upended—courthouses without laws, cathouses without whores, and shithouses without drains. These images create a sense of a world turned upside down, where nothing functions as it should. The mention of Guantanamo Bay and private planes further critiques the disparity between the powerful and the powerless, highlighting issues of human rights and inequality.

The song's closing lines, with references to selling organs and the insatiable greed of humanity, leave the listener with a sense of hopelessness and cynicism. Waters' use of vivid, often grotesque imagery serves to shock and provoke, encouraging the listener to reflect on the state of the world and their place within it. 'Picture That' is a powerful commentary on the disillusionment and moral decay of contemporary society, urging us to confront the harsh realities we often choose to ignore.