Pictures of Matchstick Men
Encyclopedia
"Pictures of Matchstick Men" is the first hit single by Status Quo, released in November 1967. It reached number seven in the British charts
, number eight in Canada, and number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100
, becoming their only hit single in the United States. It was originally intended to be a B-side to "Gentleman Joe's Sidewalk Cafe", but it was decided to swap the B-side and the A-side of the single. There are two versions of the song, a stereo and mono version, with significant differences: the mono version, which was the original single, has the trademark psychedelic wah-wah
guitar in the breaks between lyrics, but the stereo version omits it.
The song opens with a single guitar repeatedly playing a simple four note riff
before the rhythm guitar
comes in with chords
and the drums and lyrics begin. "Pictures of Matchstick Men" is one of a number of songs from the late sixties to feature the audio effect phasing
. The song is an example of bubblegum
psychedelia
. Their following release, "Black Veils of Melancholy
", was similar but flopped, which caused the group to change direction.
Francis Rossi said about the song:
The "matchstick men" of the song refers to the paintings of L.S. Lowry.
.
In 2007, My Name is Earl
Season 3, Episode 11: Burn Victim featured the song
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, number eight in Canada, and number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, becoming their only hit single in the United States. It was originally intended to be a B-side to "Gentleman Joe's Sidewalk Cafe", but it was decided to swap the B-side and the A-side of the single. There are two versions of the song, a stereo and mono version, with significant differences: the mono version, which was the original single, has the trademark psychedelic wah-wah
Wah-wah pedal
A wah-wah pedal is a type of guitar effects pedal that alters the tone of the signal to create a distinctive effect, mimicking the human voice...
guitar in the breaks between lyrics, but the stereo version omits it.
The song opens with a single guitar repeatedly playing a simple four note riff
RIFF
The Resource Interchange File Format is a generic file container format for storing data in tagged chunks. It is primarily used to store multimedia such as sound and video, though it may also be used to store any arbitrary data....
before the rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
comes in with chords
Chord (music)
A chord in music is any harmonic set of two–three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. These need not actually be played together: arpeggios and broken chords may for many practical and theoretical purposes be understood as chords...
and the drums and lyrics begin. "Pictures of Matchstick Men" is one of a number of songs from the late sixties to feature the audio effect phasing
Phasing
In the compositional technique phasing, the same part is played on two musical instruments, in steady but not identical tempo...
. The song is an example of bubblegum
Bubblegum pop
Bubblegum pop is a genre of pop music with an upbeat sound contrived and marketed to appeal to pre-teens and teenagers, produced in an assembly-line process, driven by producers, often using unknown singers.Bubblegum's classic period ran from 1967 to 1972...
psychedelia
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
. Their following release, "Black Veils of Melancholy
Black Veils of Melancholy
Black Veils Of Melancholy is a Francis Rossi composition which became Status Quo's second single. The record's failure to achieve any real success saw the band then being thought of as just 'one hit wonders'...
", was similar but flopped, which caused the group to change direction.
Francis Rossi said about the song:
The "matchstick men" of the song refers to the paintings of L.S. Lowry.
Cover versions
- The Slickee BoysThe Slickee BoysThe Slickee Boys were a Washington, D.C. area punk-psychedelic-garage rock band whose most-remembered lineup consisted of guitarist Marshall Keith, guitarist Kim Kane, singer Mark Noone, and drummer Dan Palenski. The band has become a legend in the D.C. punk community...
released an up-tempo version on their 1982 album Cybernetic Dreams of PiCybernetic Dreams of PiCybernetic Dreams of Pi, released in 1983, is The Slickee Boys second "proper" album , and the first to be recorded all in one place at the same time. It was released on LP by the Minneapolis record label Twin/Tone...
. - In 1986, the Forgotten RebelsForgotten RebelsThe Forgotten Rebels are a punk rock band from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. With roots dating back to 1977 to the present day, the Forgotten Rebels have left a discography of seven albums and a collection of EPs and singles that have influenced many other Canadian and international bands forming in...
released a punk version on their album The Pride and Disgrace. - In 1989, Camper Van BeethovenCamper Van BeethovenCamper Van Beethoven is an American alternative rock group formed in Redlands, California in 1983.An eclectic band, Camper Van Beethoven mixes elements of pop, ska, punk rock, folk and alternative country, as well as various types of world music. Their aggressive musical pluralism created a...
scored a number-one hit on BillboardBillboard (magazine)Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
's Modern Rock Tracks chart with their version from their album Key Lime Pie. - In 1995, Johnny Q. PublicJohnny Q. PublicJohnny Q. Public was a Christian alternative rock band from Springfield, Missouri. Although their sound was wholly modern, it was influenced by bands such as Led Zeppelin and Cream. In addition to their music they were known for their Charismatic theology, which they would dramatically display...
, a Christian rockChristian rockChristian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
band, prominently used a riff from this song in the song "Body Be" on their album Extra-Ordinary. - In 1995, Arjen Anthony LucassenArjen Anthony LucassenArjen Anthony "Oswold Jr." Lucassen is a progressive metal/rock composer, singer and musician from the Netherlands, best known for his long-running progressive opera project titled Ayreon....
, a Dutch musician, performed the song on his cover album Strange Hobby. - Ozzy OsbourneOzzy OsbourneJohn Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
, backed by Type O NegativeType O NegativeType O Negative was a gothic metal band from Brooklyn, New York City. The band also incorporated elements of doom metal and thrash metal. Their dramatic lyrical emphasis on themes of romance, depression, and death resulted in the nickname "The Drab Four"...
, covered it as part of the soundtrack to the Howard SternHoward SternHoward Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
biographical movie Private PartsPrivate Parts (1997 film)Private Parts is a 1997 American biographical comedy film produced by Ivan Reitman and released by Paramount Pictures. Written by Len Blum and Michael Kalesniko, the film is an adaptation of the 1993 best-selling book of the same name by radio personality Howard Stern, who stars as himself. It...
in 1997. - In 2000, the German band AtrocityAtrocity (band)Atrocity is a German Heavy Metal band formed in Ludwigsburg.-History:First started in 1985 as Instigators and playing grindcore, Atrocity arose as a death metal band with their debut EP, Blue Blood, in 1989, followed soon by Hallucinations, a concept album about drug use...
covered it on their single "Taste Of Sin". - Shy NoblemanShy NoblemanShy Nobleman is an Israeli rock musician, singer, songwriter, producer, keyboardist, guitarist and Actor.He is one of Israel's leading indie musicians, whose English language psychedelic and power-pop albums have been hits in Israel and enjoys increasing popularity in a number of European...
, Tel Aviv's mod hero, covered it on his How to Be ShyHow to Be ShyHow to Be Shy is the debut studio album by Israeli indie rock artist Shy Nobleman, released on June 6, 2001.Nobleman's backing band on the record is Israeli psychedelic rock band Rockfour...
tour in 2001. - In May 2001, a live cover version appeared as a B-side on The Divine ComedyThe Divine Comedy (band)The Divine Comedy are a chamber pop band from Ireland, fronted by Neil Hannon. Formed in 1989, Hannon has been the only constant member of the group, playing, in some instances, all of the non-orchestral instrumentation bar drums. To date, ten studio albums have been released under the Divine...
's single "Bad Ambassador". It was recorded during a gig at Oxford Brookes University in March that year. - In 2003, Death in VegasDeath in VegasDeath in Vegas are a psychedelic rock and electronic rock band from the United Kingdom, comprising two permanent members: Richard Fearless and Tim Holmes...
released the title track of their album Scorpio RisingScorpio RisingScorpio Rising may refer to:*Scorpio Rising , a 1964 short film by Kenneth Anger*"Scorpio Rising", a song by 10,000 Maniacs from their 1985 album The Wishing Chair*Scorpio Rising , plus the title song...
as a single (featuring Liam GallagherLiam GallagherWilliam John Paul "Liam" Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, the former frontman of the English rock band Oasis and currently of the band Beady Eye. Gallagher's erratic behaviour, distinctive singing style, and abrasive attitude have been the subject of commentary in the press...
from OasisOasis (band)Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
on vocals). The song featured a melody and chord sequence almost identical to Pictures of Matchstick Men; so much so, in fact, that Status Quo were credited as co-writers. - In 2006, Kasabian released a version of the song on the CD singleCD singleA CD single is a music single in the form of a standard size Compact Disc, not to be confused with the 3-inch CD single, which uses a smaller form factor. The format was introduced in the mid-1980s, but did not gain its place in the market until the early 1990s...
of "Shoot the RunnerShoot the Runner"Shoot the Runner" is a song by English indie rock band Kasabian and is the second track on their second album, Empire. It was released 6 November 2006 as the second single from that album in the United Kingdom, peaking at #17 in the UK Singles Chart...
", their second release from the album EmpireEmpire (Kasabian album)Empire is the second album by British indie rock band Kasabian, released in August 2006. The album went onto #1 in the UK Albums Chart upon its release and was preceded by the release of new single "Empire" on 24 July 2006....
. Although a first performance of this song was heard on Dermot O'LearyDermot O'LearyDermot O'Leary is an English television and radio presenter. He established himself as a presenter of Big Brother's Little Brother on Channel 4 before moving on to The X Factor on ITV. O'Leary has also presented on the BBC and has his own radio show on BBC Radio 2...
's BBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
show, this version was recorded in the studio for the CD release.
In popular culture
In 2011, the original version of "Pictures of Matchstick Men" was featured prominently in a television ad for Target storesTarget Corporation
Target Corporation, doing business as Target, is an American retailing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. The company is ranked at number 33 on the Fortune 500 and is a component of the Standard & Poor's...
.
In 2007, My Name is Earl
My Name Is Earl
My Name Is Earl is an American television comedy series created by Greg Garcia that was originally broadcast on the NBC television network from September 20, 2005, to May 14, 2009, in the United States...
Season 3, Episode 11: Burn Victim featured the song