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

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"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

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"Somebody Paints the Wall"
Single by Josh Logan
from the album Somebody Paints the Wall
Released1989
GenreCountry
Length3:22
LabelCurb
Songwriter(s)Tommy Smith, Charles Browder, Elroy Kahanek, Nelson Larkin
Producer(s)Nelson Larkin, Ron Reynolds
Josh Logan singles chronology
"Every Time I Get to Dreamin'"
(1988)
"Somebody Paints the Wall"
(1989)
"I Was Born with a Broken Heart"
(1989)

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

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Chart (1989) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[3] 62

Tracy Lawrence version

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"Somebody Paints the Wall"
Single by Tracy Lawrence
from the album Sticks and Stones
ReleasedSeptember 28, 1992
GenreCountry
Length3:18
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)Tommy Smith, Charles Browder, Elroy Kahanek, Nelson Larkin
Producer(s)James Stroud
Tracy Lawrence singles chronology
"Runnin' Behind"
(1992)
"Somebody Paints the Wall"
(1992)
"Alibis"
(1993)

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

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"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

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George Jones recorded the song as "Somebody Always Paints the Wall" on his 1990 album You Oughta Be Here with Me.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "You Oughta Be Here with Me". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  2. ^ a b "Josh Logan biography". Oldies.com. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  3. ^ "Josh Logan Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  4. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  5. ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 1827." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. January 23, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  6. ^ "Tracy Lawrence Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  7. ^ "You Oughta Be Here with Me". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-28.