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 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".[1]

Josh Logan version

"Somebody Paints the Wall"
Single by Josh Logan
from the album Somebody Paints the Wall
Released 1989
Format CD single
Genre Country
Length 3:22
Label Curb
Writer(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.[1] 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)[2] 62


Tracy Lawrence version

"Somebody Paints the Wall"
Single by Tracy Lawrence
from the album Sticks and Stones
Released September 28, 1992
Format CD single
Genre Country
Length 3:18
Label Atlantic
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.[3]

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) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[4] 19
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] 8


Other versions

George Jones recorded the song as "Somebody Always Paints the Wall" on his 1990 album You Oughta Be Here with Me.[6]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Josh Logan biography". Oldies.com. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  2. "Josh Logan Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot Country Songs for Josh Logan.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
  4. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 1827." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. January 23, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  5. "Tracy Lawrence Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot Country Songs for Tracy Lawrence.
  6. "You Oughta Be Here with Me". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-28.