Status Quo - Pictures Of Matchstick Men (1968)

Would the world of psychedelic music have been complete WITHOUT this song? I can't imagine it! The nerve of some people calling this "bubblegum psychedelia" (LOL). Yeah, right
up there with The Ohio Express and The Archies! What a horrid thought. The "matchstick men" as it turns out were intended to be the human figures that populated the art city landscapes painted by L. S. Lowry, not actual matchstick men like "the dancing men" figures that appear in the Sherlock Holmes story of the same title by Arthur Conan Doyle. Oh well, have my own "matchstick men" (not really all that matchstick like) playing guitars in this video. And, as the song lyrics go, the singer is also quite preoccupied or obsessed by a certain young lady's quite lovely face. Managed that one pretty well, I hope. Ultimately, it is all rather sad: "You in the sky you with this guy you make men cry you lie." But I didn't dwell. Why ruin such a sunny, summer psychedelic hit with all that boo-hooing? Released in November 1967, this was the band's only major hit single. It reached #7 in the UK (of course), #8 in Canada, and a not too shabby #12 in the US on Billboard and #11 on Cash Box on the week ending August 24, 1968. "Pictures Of Matchstick Men" by the Status Quo.

Woman on balcony: Raphaella McNamara.

[asboukcomfortable]

Brilliant song, so catchy! Brilliant Quo. UK 🇬🇧

[Crazeyfor]

A wonderful song that gets seeps in to your soul. I know, it's been in my soul for 55 years.

[RalphCramden-tmgi]

Thanks for posting the WAH WAH mono version. The stereo version should be shredded.

[jaygreen]

I hope Raphaella is okay and nothing bad has happened to her. I’ll bet in the few years that she’s been absent from the internet, she is more beautiful than ever. I hope she reappears soon and has been enjoying life. She has such natural beauty.

[jaygreen]

In a previous post you mentioned that in your original Becks Bolero, you had over 1 million views in one day I think. I’ve probably watched it 100 times. I was going through a rough period for a while and it really helped me get through it. I can’t explain why it affected me the way it did. It just lifted my spirits. To me, it’s by far the most passionate video I’ve seen on YT.

[MichaelBoyce-tmvw]

With wa wa effect and phasing effects.

[Danny-gurs]

I was only still in diapers then when that song came, but I remember the older kids still listening to it in the real early '70's.

[DevataDavis]

Seriously, Mike. I think I *raced* to the record story to buy this 45! My first earworm! And dammit it's still there! I never heard the term "bubblegum psychedelia" before...but, yes! That's it!

Really counting on you do do "Quinn the Eskimo (Mighty Quinn)". It's equally invasive and still occupies a chunk of my brain. 🤣

PS - I just found my copy of your original vid...from 9/18/2015. Love this mix!