That’s Why You’re Beautiful
Beyonce Lyrics

Diamonds used to be coal
Just like how diamonds used to be just coal, something with a little digging and refinement can end up being incredibly valuable and beautiful

Look young 'cause they got soul
People who have a lot of energy and passion may seem 'ageless' because their radiance doesn't dull with age

That's why they're beautiful
This explains why passionate people are gorgeous

And my heart used to be cold
The artist's heart was once emotionally distant and unfeeling

'Til your hands laid on my soul
Until the artist received love from the one they're singing to, their heart remained closed off

Baby, that's why you're beautiful
The reason the person the singer is singing to is beautiful is because they were able to warm the singer's heart with love

I'm not wondering why
The singer isn't concerned with why things are the way they are

The sky's blue, that's not my business
For example, the artist doesn't feel like they need to know why the sky is blue

All I know is I
All the artist knows is their own experience

Look up and tell myself
When the artist looks up at the sky, they remind themselves of something important

Be patient, love, that could be us
They tell themselves to be patient and loving, because they could be just like the people who gave us 'the beautiful', such as older lovers

The lovers used to make love
The artist is now thinking about previous generations of lovers

And died just to give us
Many generations of lovers have died in the past for the current generation to inherit and enjoy their legacy of beauty

Their piece of the beautiful
These past lovers' legacy is the many things in life that they appreciated, such as love, beauty, and passion

Remember when we made love?
The singer recalls a passionate moment they shared with the person they're addressing

Love
The simple word reminds the artist of the profound feeling that they share with their lover

Wasn't it beautiful?
The artist and their lover's intimate moment was beautiful

Somebody's got to stay deep in love
Someone has to carry the torch of love on, even as people come and go through your life

That could be us
The singer will stay deep in love and carry it forward, ideally with the person they're addressing

That's why we're beautiful
The ongoing love is what makes the artist and the person they're addressing beautiful

That's why you're beautiful (ooh)
This line is reinforced to emphasize why the person the artist is singing to is so special and beautiful to them

Why, oh why, why
The artist's wondering why something is the case