Family Portrait (song)
"Family Portrait" is a song by Pink for her second album Missundaztood (2001). Co-written by Pink and Scott Storch and produced by Storch, the song is about relationships and her family that was about to fall to pieces, portraying the conflict through the eyes of her as a child. It was released as the album's fourth and final single in December 2002. It peaked in the top 20 in both the U.K. and U.S.
"Family Portrait" | ||||
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Single by Pink | ||||
from the album Missundaztood | ||||
Released | December 17, 2002 | |||
Recorded | 2001 | |||
Length | 4:58 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Scott Storch | |||
Pink singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Family Portrait" on YouTube |
Background
Pink told Q magazine that the song got her into trouble with her mother. The singer commented: "She went to the National Enquirer. We laugh about it now, but it wasn't the best way to address family problems."[1]
Critical reception
The single received praise from critics. Paul Matthew from UKMIX gave the song 4 out of 5 stars, saying that it is strong, catchy and different from anything she had released to date.[2] Dr. Bruce L. Thiessen praised the song's stripped down nature, stating that 'Pink has never been afraid to show her true colors. The haunting, yet urgently importuning nature of the music matches and magnifies the meaning. The intensity of every earnest guitar strum and run echoes the sense of longing for familial harmony expressed in the chorus. Pink's voice on “Family Portrait” further reflects the urgency underlying the song.'[3] Malaimport from StudyMode.com gave Pink the credit for the song in his article, 'Pink positioned the audience to understand and accept her representations of pain and frustration was clear through the uses language choices and imagery devices such as repetition and use of strong and forceful words.' [4]
Music video
The music video stars P!nk and Kelsey Lewis and was directed by Sophie Muller. The video opens with P!nk lying in different positions on the bed; as she answers a phone call, she smashes a glass and Kelsey pops up. They are then shown in what looks like a kitchen. Kelsey tries to get the attention of P!nk, who is trying to cook. Then, the two are shown eating cereal on a couch while watching a commercial for a cereal named Pretty Happy. P!nk is seen opening a door, which a man comes in, and they sit at a table.
At the end of the video, the family in the TV commercial pulls Kelsey into it. The TV then shows P!nk singing alone. Finally, the family in the TV (now with the child Kelsey) gathers around and P!nk lies down on a pillow.
Cultural impact
According to Pink's father, James Moore Jr., during an E! Entertainment's E! True Hollywood Story, this song has been unofficially named the national anthem for young kids who have been through the harsh effects of divorce of their parents: "I have got letters from parents thanking us from this song." The song, which she wrote and composed in collaboration with Scott Storch, was still going strong as of late April 2017, with millions of hits on YouTube and millions of albums sold from Missundaztood. "It took me a while to listen to 'Family Portrait' without getting emotional," Pink's mother told E! True Hollywood Story. Although the song addresses how Pink struggled through her parents's divorce, it is also addressed to kids, to encourage them to talk with their parents about how they feel about their divorce.
Track listings
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Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
All-time Charts
Certifications}
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References
- Family Portrait Songfacts
- "UKMIX - Reviews - Pink - Family Portrait". Archived from the original on April 27, 2005. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
- "P!nk- a Feature of The Phantom Tollbooth".
- "Analytical piece – Family Portrait".
- "P!NK - Family Portrait (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- "P!NK - Family Portrait (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- "Images for P!NK - Family Portrait". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- "P!NK - Family Portrait (DVD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- "Australian-charts.com – P!nk – Family Portrait". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- "Austriancharts.at – P!nk – Family Portrait" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- "Ultratop.be – P!nk – Family Portrait" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- "Ultratop.be – P!nk – Family Portrait" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- "Oficiální Česká Hitparáda - Pro týden 14/2003" (in Czech). IFPI ČR. Archived from the original on April 6, 2003. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
- "Danishcharts.com – P!nk – Family Portrait". Tracklisten. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- "Pink: Family Portrait" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- "Lescharts.com – P!nk – Family Portrait" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – P!nk – Family Portrait". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
- "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Family Portrait". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
- "Nederlandse Top 40 – P!nk" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – P!nk – Family Portrait" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- "Charts.nz – P!nk – Family Portrait". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- "Norwegiancharts.com – P!nk – Family Portrait". VG-lista. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- "Polish Airplay Charts - Lista krajowa 16/2003". PiF PaF Production. Archived from the original on October 20, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
- "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 17, saptamina 5.05-11.05, 2003". Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on February 18, 2005. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
- "Swedishcharts.com – P!nk – Family Portrait". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- "Swisscharts.com – P!nk – Family Portrait". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- "Pink Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- "Pink Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- "ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2003". Aria.com.au. Archived from the original on January 23, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- Steffen Hung (December 28, 2003). "Jahreshitparade 2003". austriancharts.at. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Archived from the original on April 17, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2003". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- Steffen Hung. "Dutch charts portal". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- Archived January 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- "Romanian Top 100 - Top of the Year 2003". Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on January 22, 2005. Retrieved January 22, 2005.
- "www.sverigetopplistan.se - Ĺrslista Singlar - Ĺr 2003". Hitlistan.se. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Archived from the original on April 15, 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. December 26, 2013. Archived from the original on December 17, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2003 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
- "British single certifications – Pink – Family Portrait". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 5, 2017. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Family Portrait in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- "American single certifications – P!nk – Family Portrait". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 3, 2021. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.
- "Pink's latest greatest hit". Billboard. January 3, 2021.
- P!nk (December 17, 2002). "Family Portrait: Music". Retrieved August 25, 2014.