Somebody Paints the Wall
"Somebody Paints the Wall" is a country music song written by Tommy Smith, Charles Browder, Elroy Kahanek, and Nelson Larkin. First released in 1989 by Josh Logan from his album of the same name, it was a number 62 country hit for him that year. A second version was issued by George Jones who recorded the song as "Somebody Always Paints the Wall" on his 1990 album You Oughta Be Here with Me.[1] then a third by Tracy Lawrence in 1992 from his album Sticks and Stones, and his version was a Top 10 country hit.
Content
"Somebody Paints the Wall" is a mid-tempo in which the narrator comments on his inability to advance on given opportunities: "Seems every time I make my mark / Somebody paints the wall".[2]
Josh Logan version
| "Somebody Paints the Wall" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Josh Logan | ||||
| from the album Somebody Paints the Wall | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:22 | |||
| Label | Curb | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Tommy Smith, Charles Browder, Elroy Kahanek, Nelson Larkin | |||
| Producer(s) | Nelson Larkin, Ron Reynolds | |||
| Josh Logan singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Josh Logan's rendition was the second single from his 1988 debut album, also titled Somebody Paints the Wall.[2] It was released to radio in 1989, peaking at number 62 on the U.S. country charts.
Chart positions
| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[3] | 62 |
Tracy Lawrence version
| "Somebody Paints the Wall" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Tracy Lawrence | ||||
| from the album Sticks and Stones | ||||
| Released | September 28, 1992 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:18 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Tommy Smith, Charles Browder, Elroy Kahanek, Nelson Larkin | |||
| Producer(s) | James Stroud | |||
| Tracy Lawrence singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Tracy Lawrence's version was the fourth and final single from his 1991 debut album Sticks and Stones. Released as a single in late 1992, his version was a number 8 country hit in the US, and number 19 in Canada.[4]
Chart positions
"Somebody Paints the Wall" debuted at number 68 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of October 10, 1992.
| Chart (1992-1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[5] | 19 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[6] | 8 |
Other versions
George Jones recorded the song as "Somebody Always Paints the Wall" on his 1990 album You Oughta Be Here with Me.[7]
References
- ^ "You Oughta Be Here with Me". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
- ^ a b "Josh Logan biography". Oldies.com. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
- ^ "Josh Logan Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 1827." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. January 23, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
- ^ "Tracy Lawrence Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "You Oughta Be Here with Me". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
