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A Pretty Girl Is Like...
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

A pretty girl is like a minstrel show It makes you laugh
It makes you cry You go It just isn't the same on radio
It's all about the makeup and the dancing and the Oh,

A pretty girl is like a violent crime If you do it wrong
You could do time but if you do it right it is sublime
I'm so in love with you, girl, It's like I'm on the moon

I can't really breathe, but I feel lighter A melody is like
A pretty girl Who cares if it's the dumbest in the world
It's all about the way that it unfurls A pretty girl is like

A pretty girl

Overall Meaning

is both entertaining and dangerous, much like a minstrel show or a violent crime. The mixed emotions of laughter and tears that come with experiencing a pretty girl are highlighted, while the lack of depth in such an experience when viewed on radio or screen is acknowledged. The second half of the song speaks to the power of a pretty girl done right, where love is so all-encompassing that it feels like being on the moon. The comparison to a melody is similarly apt, as even the simplest tune can be enchanting when played just right.


This song is both witty and poignant, using the metaphor of a pretty girl to reflect on the complex experience of romance and attraction. The Magnetic Fields are known for their clever lyrics and offbeat musical style, and "A Pretty Girl Is Like..." is a prime example of both.


Line by Line Meaning

A pretty girl is like a minstrel show
Comparing a pretty girl to a minstrel show because both can entertain and evoke a range of emotions from the audience.


It makes you laugh
Just like a minstrel show, a pretty girl can make you laugh with her humor, charm, or wit.


It makes you cry
A pretty girl can also bring tears to your eyes, whether it's from sadness, joy, or some other emotion.


You go
The phrase 'you go' could mean 'you're right' or 'you got it', as if the pretty girl is communicating with the listener directly.


It just isn't the same on radio
The beauty of a pretty girl is something that can only be fully appreciated in person, not through a recording or other medium.


It's all about the makeup and the dancing and the Oh,
The superficial elements like hair, makeup, and dancing may be what initially catches one's attention, but there's often much more to the pretty girl beneath the surface.


A pretty girl is like a violent crime
Comparing a pretty girl to a violent crime because both can be irresistible yet dangerous if not handled with care.


If you do it wrong, You could do time
If one mishandles a pretty girl or commits a crime, they may face consequences that can impact their life for a long time to come.


But if you do it right it is sublime
On the other hand, if one handles a pretty girl or a situation with care and respect, it can result in a sublime and amazing experience.


I'm so in love with you, girl, It's like I'm on the moon
Expressing the artist's deep love and infatuation for a pretty girl by comparing it to the sensation of being on the moon, which is often associated with elation and wonder.


I can't really breathe, but I feel lighter
Being near a pretty girl can make one feel as if they're suffocating yet also lighter, as if the weight of the world has been lifted off their shoulders.


A melody is like A pretty girl
Comparing a melody to a pretty girl because both can be pleasing to the senses and evoke a range of emotions.


Who cares if it's the dumbest in the world
The quality of a melody or a pretty girl may not matter as much as the way it makes one feel.


It's all about the way that it unfurls
The way a melody or a pretty girl unfolds and reveals itself over time is what can make it truly special and captivating.


A pretty girl is like
Returning to the main theme of the song and reiterating how a pretty girl can be similar to many different things, each with their own unique qualities and drawbacks.


A pretty girl
Summing up the beauty and complexity of a pretty girl, and perhaps acknowledging that there may never be a perfect way to fully capture or describe it.




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephin Raymond Merritt

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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