Growing up in Malibu, California, she began learning the violin at the age of four and left regular school five years later with the goal of becoming a world-class violinist; she practiced eight or nine hours a day and read a wide range of literature. Progressing to writing her own music, she studied under various teachers and went to Indiana University, which she left over issues regarding the relationship between classical music and the appearance of the performer. Through her own independent label Traitor Records, Autumn debuted with her classical album On a Day: Music for Violin & Continuo, followed by the release in 2003 of her album Enchant.
She appeared in singer Courtney Love's backing band on her 2004 America's Sweetheart tour and returned to Europe. She released the 2006 album Opheliac with the German label Trisol Music Group. In 2007, she released Laced/Unlaced; the re-release of On a Day... appeared as Laced with songs on the electric violin as Unlaced. She later left Trisol to join New York-based The End Records in 2009 and release Opheliac in the United States, where previously it had only been available as an import. Currently she is on tour to promote her newest album Fight Like A Girl. She played the role of Painted Doll in Darren Lynn Bousman's 2012 film The Devil's Carnival.
Thank God I
Emilie Autumn Lyrics
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The occasional free drink
I never asked for
The occasional admission
To a seedy little bar
Invitation to a strangers car
I'm blessed
With the ability to rend
Which only means
That when its dark outside
I have to run and hide
Can't look behind me
Thank God I'm pretty
Thank God I'm pretty
Evey skill I ever have
Will be in question
Every ill that I must suffer
Clearly brought on by myself
Though the cops would come
For someone else
I'm blessed
I'm truly privaleged
To look this good
Without clothes on
Which only means
That when I sing
Your jerking off
And when I'm gone
You won't remember
Thank God I'm pretty
Thank you God
Oh Lord
Thank you God
Oh oh
and when a gaggle of faces
Appears around me
I'ts lucky I hate
To be taken seriosly
I think my ego would fall
Right through the cracks
In the floor
If I couldn't count on men
To slap my ass anymore
I know my destiny such
That I'm all stocking and curl
So everybody thinks
That I'm a fucking suicide girl
Ohho
thank God I'm pretty
The occasional champane
I never asked for
The occasional admission
To a seedy little bar
Invitation to a strangers car
I'm blessed
With the ability to rend
A grown man tongue-tied
Which only means
That when it's dark outside
I have to run and hide
Can't look behind me
Thank God I'm pretty
Thank God
Thank God
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you God
In Emilie Autumn's song "Thank God I'm Pretty," the singer reflects on the power dynamics she experiences as an attractive woman. She sarcastically thanks God for her looks, which have granted her access to free drinks, seedy bars, and invitations to strangers' cars. However, the attention and objectification also come with danger, as she must constantly be on guard and look over her shoulder when walking alone at night. At the same time, she acknowledges that her beauty is the only skill that she needs, as it allows her to captivate and render men speechless without having to prove herself in other ways. She is aware that her appeal is often sexualized, and that people may judge her based solely on her appearance. She concludes the song with multiple repetitions of "Thank you, God," suggesting that her gratitude may be somewhat ironic.
The lyrics of "Thank God I'm Pretty" provide a biting commentary on the advantages and disadvantages that can come with beauty. On the one hand, the song recognizes the social and economic privileges that conventionally attractive people are often afforded, such as free drinks and admission to exclusive venues. On the other hand, it highlights the ways that beauty can also be a double-edged sword, making women vulnerable to unwanted attention and objectification. The song also touches on the idea that women are often judged more for their appearance than for their skills or intelligence, perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes.
Line by Line Meaning
Thank God I'm pretty
I am grateful for my physical appearance and the advantages it brings
The occasional free drink
Men offer me free drinks, despite not asking for them
I never asked for
I do not actively seek out these benefits
The occasional admission
I am invited into seedy establishments
To a seedy little bar
I am taken to places with a questionable reputation
Invitation to a strangers car
I am asked to enter a stranger's vehicle
I'm blessed
I feel fortunate
With the ability to rend
I possess the power to render
A grown man tongue-tied
I can leave a grown man speechless with my beauty
Which only means
However, this also means
That when it's dark outside
At night
I have to run and hide
I must be cautious and protect myself
Can't look behind me
I cannot let my guard down
Thank God I'm pretty
My beauty is my protection
Every skill I ever have
My talents and abilities
Will be in question
People will doubt my skills because of my appearance
Every ill that I must suffer
Any negative experience I encounter
Clearly brought on by myself
Will be blamed on me
Though the cops would come
If something were to happen
For someone else
I may not be held responsible, despite my appearance
I'm truly privileged
I am fortunate
To look this good
To have such a striking appearance
Without clothes on
Even without clothing, I am attractive
Which only means
However, this also means
That when I sing
When I perform
You're jerking off
My male audience may become sexually aroused
And when I'm gone
After my performance is over
You won't remember
You may not remember me beyond my appearance
Thank God I'm pretty
My beauty may be fleeting, but it is the source of my success
Thank you God
Expressing gratitude to a higher power
Oh Lord
A religious expression of gratitude
and when a gaggle of faces
When I am surrounded by a group of people
Appears around me
When I am in a public setting
It's lucky I hate
I am fortunate that I do not take myself too seriously
To be taken seriously
To be valued for more than my appearance
I think my ego would fall
I may become insecure
Right through the cracks in the floor
To the point of breaking down
If I couldn't count on men
If men did not respond positively to my looks
To slap my ass anymore
To sexually objectify me
I know my destiny such
I am aware of my fate
That I'm all stocking and curl
That I will become a symbol of the pin-up girl aesthetic
So everybody thinks
Everyone assumes
That I'm a fucking suicide girl
That I am a member of the alternative modeling group 'SuicideGirls'
Thank God I'm pretty
My beauty is both a blessing and a curse
The occasional champagne
Occasionally receiving champagne from men
Thank God
Expressing gratitude for the advantages my beauty gives me
Thank you
Acknowledging my good fortune
Thank you God
Expressing appreciation to a higher power
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMILIE AUTUMN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind