Chappell Roan, Picture You | Midnight Heat

In the 81st edition of Midnight Heat (2024), we explore the naughty, sexy vibes behind “Picture You” by Chappell Roan.

Ah, bring on Midnight Heat ! Wait – it is not usually hot at midnight! Well, it is steaming hot at midnight when it comes to this naughty, innuendo, and sex-laden column featuring songs intended for nighttime. We are talking about that after-dark type $hi†, ya dig? These risqué, unapologetic records often raise eyebrows and temperature alike. In the 81^st edition of Midnight Heat (2024), we explore the naughty, sexy vibes behind, “Picture You” by Chappell Roan.

“Draw the blinds / Light every candle / Slip off my pretty dress down my chest.” Ooh-la-la, Chappell Roan (Kayleigh Rose Amstutz) – it’s getting hot in here! Amstutz released her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess in September 2023.  The critically acclaimed LP ‘blew up’ in 2024 thanks to the popularity of “HOT TO GO!” and a non-album track, “Good Luck, Babe!”. “HOT TO GO!” is the song to beat from The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess but the album is loaded with bops. “Picture You”, the ninth track, is one of ‘em. Amstutz and producer Dan Nigro penned the fabulous, sexy, retro-pop, compound duple ballad.

“Counting lipstick stains where you should be,” Chappell concludes the first verse memorably.  The pre-chorus is even more memorable because it raises eyebrows: “Oh, I need you around / I’m getting close now.” Use your imagination .  Anyways, “Picture You” thrives off of tuneful melodies during the verses.  The melody is most tuneful during the memorable, high-flying chorus where she asks:

“Do you picture me like I picture you?

Am I in the frame from your point of view?

Do you feel the same? I’m too scared to say

Half of the things I do when I picture you.”

Hmm, things she does, huh? Men are more notorious for it, but women do it too . The songwriting is engaging songwriting from the opening tip to the closing note.  In the second verse, Chappell wants to know “all your perversions.” Spicy! Beyond strong lead vocals and memorable lyrics, Amstutz gets a lift from background vocals and a classy, refined musical backdrop. “Picture You” is sexy, ‘self-indulgent,’ and utterly sweet.

Chappell Roan // KRA International Inc. / Island // 2023

Chappell Roan, Picture You: Midnight Heat No. 81 (2024) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; KRA International Inc. / Island; Hasan Muneer, Natan from Pexels; Aristal Branson, Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay]