Pablo Picasso (song)

"Pablo Picasso" is a song written by Jonathan Richman for his proto punk group The Modern Lovers. Recorded in 1973, produced by John Cale, it was finally released on their self-titled debut album in 1976. The central character of the song is the charismatic 20th Century artist Pablo Picasso. The phrase "Pablo Picasso never got called an asshole" is repeated throughout the song.

Selective list of recorded versions

• 1973 The Modern Lovers, not released until 1976 on The Modern Lovers
• 1975 John Cale, on his album Helen of Troy
• 1984 Burning Sensations on the Repo Man soundtrack
• 1991 Phranc's version of the song substitutes Gertrude Stein as the central character; it appears on her album Positively Phranc
• 2001 Arms of Kismet, on the album If I Were a Richman: a Tribute to the Music of Jonathan Richman
• 2003 David Bowie, on his album Reality; a live version recorded at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London on 8 September 2003 was released on the 'Tour Edition' of Reality