| The Big Picture | |
| Cover: | TheBigPictureSingle.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Y Kant Tori Read |
| 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 |
| Producer: | Joe Chiccarelli |
| Prev Title: | 'Baltimore' |
| Prev Year: | 1980 |
| Next Title: | Cool on Your Island |
| Next Year: | 1988 |
"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.
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.
7" Single (Atlantic 7-89086)
12" Promo Single (Atlantic PR2298)