Painting by Numbers

Lyrics

[Verse 1] It's not that complicated No more than a clench of fist – She want to paint her heart out She want to tell it as she sees it is Authority condemns her They say to paint's a waste without a base Some bedrock of idea [Chorus 1] Painting by numbers doesn't add up Painting by numbers doesn't add up It's passionless bed-rest Work-body that's headless A head that's without heart – Painting by numbers doesn't add up to art [Verse 2] Her constant vows mean nothing Not content alone that sells – The Market Theory beckons No-one remembers what the story tells; No-one remembers passion We just recite the line That art is fine and fashion costly [Chorus 2] Painting by numbers doesn't add up; Safety in numbers, put your hands up In mute surrender... They'll break her or bend her For the heart on her sleeve Painting by numbers all the modern world believes [Bridge] And the whole thing falls apart When the movement's more important than the art; When we're more concerned With what's been thought than said This is the moment when the culture's dead [Instrumental] [Verse 3] It's not that complicated It's simple as can be: She want to paint her heart out They want a programme for the BBC Where academic critics can talk of art that's fine Like holy wine – the Blessed Intellectuals! [Chorus 2/3] Painting by numbers doesn't add up; Safety in numbers, put your hands up The poets from Venus assume that they've seen us – They're quick to depart Painting by numbers doesn't add up to art [Chorus 2/1] Painting by numbers doesn't add up; Safety in numbers, put your hands up It's passionless bed-rest Work-body that's headless A head that's without heart – Painting by numbers doesn't add up to art [Instrumental Outro]