Michael Holly was staring at a painting Thinking of his mom, says the artist got it wrong She's much more conversational and honest Her colors always compliment All her friends look about the same She's never late for dinner by the red blocks Stacked up like a prison wall, can't keep her mom from crying Now the lonely painter notices the outlaw Whiskey in his hand How he's leaning on the canvas Lonely painter, won't you leave my ma alone You've got a mama of your own, take her away Yellow on the corner shows there's hope for modern man Blue on the horizon is how he's gonna treat his kid Sapphire pillows ain't the clouds that bring the rain The ones they say the dream was made of all just look the same So lonely painter, won't you leave my dreams alone I've got problems of my own, take them away So lonely painter, ain't your job to paint alone Now my problem are your own, we'll make them pay