"The Big Picture" is a song by American synth-pop band Y Kant Tori Read, commercially released by Atlantic Records in 1988 exclusively as a 7" vinyl single in a generic label sleeve. Two versions of a promotional 7" vinyl were also released, one with light blue labels and one with dark blue labels. A 12" promotional vinyl single was also issued with an accompanying picture sleeve. The song was a commercial failure and received absolutely no critical comment.
| "The Big Picture" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Y Kant Tori Read | ||||
| from the album Y Kant Tori Read | ||||
| B-side | "You Go to My Head" | |||
| Released | 1988 | |||
| Genre | Synth-pop | |||
| Length | 4:14 (7" single) 4:38 (12" single) | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Joe Chiccarelli | |||
| Y Kant Tori Read singles chronology | ||||
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A music video for "The Big Picture" was shot by Marty Callner. The only band member to appear in it is Tori Amos. It is typical of the era, featuring a scantily clad Amos cavorting and wreaking havoc on a sound-stage made to resemble the back alleys of Los Angeles. It is notable for a narrative introductory bit during which Amos argues with a police officer about her illegally parked car. Amos' excuse is that someone broke into her car and stole her underwear: "That's gross!" The officer, undeterred, hands her the ticket and walks off with her garter belt hanging out of his back pocket.
Notably, graphic artist Rantz Hoseley, a friend of Amos' at the time, appears in the video as a street punk upon whose pants Amos spray-paints. Hoseley went on to edit the best selling Amos-themed comic anthology Comic Book Tattoo.
Track listing
edit7" Single (Atlantic 7-89086)
- "The Big Picture" – 4:19
- "You Go to My Head" – 3:55
12" Promo Single (Atlantic PR2298)
- "The Big Picture" – 4:19
- "The Big Picture" – 4:19