"Somebody Paints the Wall" is a

country music Country (also called country and western) is a genre of popular music that originated in the Southern and Southwestern United States in the early 1920s. It primarily derives from blues, church music such as Southern gospel and spirituals, ...

song written by Tommy Smith, Charles Browder,

Elroy Kahanek Elroy D. Kahanek (March 27, 1941 – March 11, 2014) was a record industry official and songwriter. He was involved with promoting various successful musicians and their work for RCA Records, Sunbird Records, Atlantic Records, and Bang II Records. ...

, 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 George Glenn Jones (September 12, 1931 – April 26, 2013) was an American country musician, singer, and songwriter. He achieved international fame for his long list of hit records, including his best-known song " He Stopped Loving Her Today", ...

who recorded the song as "Somebody Always Paints the Wall" on his 1990 album '' You Oughta Be Here with Me''. then a third by

Tracy Lawrence Tracy Lee Lawrence (born January 27, 1968) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born in Atlanta, Texas, and raised in Foreman, Arkansas, Lawrence began performing at age 15 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in ...

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".

Josh Logan version

Josh Logan's rendition was the second single from his 1988 debut album, also titled ''Somebody Paints the Wall''. It was released to radio in 1989, peaking at number 62 on the U.S. country charts.

Chart positions

Tracy Lawrence version

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.

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.

Other versions

recorded the song as "Somebody Always Paints the Wall" on his 1990 album '' You Oughta Be Here with Me''.

References

{{Tracy Lawrence 1989 singles 1992 singles Josh Logan (country singer) songs George Jones songs Tracy Lawrence songs Song recordings produced by James Stroud Curb Records singles Atlantic Records singles Songs written by Elroy Kahanek Songs written by Nelson Larkin 1989 songs