Photograph Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Look at this photograph
Every time I do, it makes me laugh

How did our eyes get so red?
And what the hell is on Joey's head?
And this is where I grew up
I think the present owner fixed it up
I never knew we ever went without
The second floor is hard for sneaking out
And this is where I went to school
Most of the time had better things to do
Criminal record says I broke in twice
I must've done it half a dozen times
I wonder if it's too late
Should I go back and try to graduate?
Life's better now than it was back then
If I was them, I wouldn't let me in

[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, God, I, I

[Chorus]
Every memory of looking out the back door
I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
(Goodbye)
[Verse 2]
Remember the old arcade?
Blew every dollar that we ever made
The cops hated us hangin' out
They say somebody went and burned it down
We used to listen to the radio
And sing along with every song we know
We said someday we'd find out how it feels
To sing to more than just the steering wheel
Kim's the first girl I kissed
I was so nervous that I nearly missed
She's had a couple of kids since then
I haven't seen her since God knows when

[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, God, I, I

[Chorus]
Every memory of looking out the back door
I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
[Bridge]
I miss that town
I miss their faces
You can't erase
You can't replace it
I miss it now
I can't believe it
So hard to stay
Too hard to leave it
If I could relive those days
I know the one thing that would never change

[Chorus]
Every memory of looking out the back door
I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye

[Outro]
Look at this photograph
Every time I do, it makes me laugh
Every time I do, it makes me

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About

Genius Annotation

“Photograph” is a rock song recorded by Canadian rock band Nickelback, released as the lead single from their fifth studio album, All the Right Reasons.

Lyrically, the song follows the narrator reminiscing about old memories and how much has changed since growing older.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Nickelback say about "Photograph"?
Genius Answer

It’s just nostalgia, growing up in a small town, and you can’t go back to your childhood. Saying goodbye to friends that you’ve drifted away from, where you grew up, where you went to school, who you hung out with and the dumb stuff you used to do as a kid, the first love — all of those things. Everyone has one or two of those memories that they are fond of, so this song is really just the bridge for all that."

The first line Kroeger wrote for the song ended up being song’s first line, “Look at this photograph.”

The photograph I’m holding in the video is the photograph,“ he says. "I just didn’t know where I was going with it, just spitting stuff out. Next thing I know, there was a line, ‘What the hell is on Joey’s head?”

Chad Kroeger via cbc.

Credits
Produced By
Written By
Mastering Engineer
Engineer
Background Vocals
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Digital Editing
Bass Guitar
Lead Vocals
Recorded At
Mountainview Studios, Abbotsford, British Columbia
Release Date
September 20, 2005
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