Dirty Pretty
In This Moment Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mirror mirror on the wall
Who's the fairest of them all?
Tell me I'm the perfect queen

Mirror mirror in my hand
Who's the fairest in the land?
Are they lining up for me?
Turn it on, tune it in, let it out
Turn it on, tune it in
Maybe I am not all that I've learned
Close your eyes, you twist and you turn
I know I am more than they see
I'm everything, everything is me
I won't be what you want me to be
Your picture perfect vanity
I don't want to be your dirty pretty

Mirror mirror unleash your tongue
Am I too old, am I too young?
Am I worthy of thy love?

Mirror mirror, you're so vain
Would you sell yourself for fame?
Are you the vulture, or are you the dove?

Turn it on, tune it in, let it out
Turn it on, tune it in
Maybe I am not all that I've learned
Close your eyes, you twist and you turn
I know I am more than they see
I'm everything, everything is me
I won't be what you want me to be
Your picture perfect vanity
I don't want to be your dirty pretty

I won't close my eyes, like you want me to
I am wild and free, I am untamable
I'm more than you'll ever see
More than just your dirty pretty

Maybe I am not all that I've learned
Close your eyes, you twist and you turn
I know I am more than they see
I'm everything, everything is me
I won't be what you want me to be




Your picture perfect vanity
I don't want to be your dirty pretty

Overall Meaning

In This Moment's "Dirty Pretty" is a powerful song about female beauty and its perception in society. The opening lines of the song, "Mirror mirror on the wall, Who's the fairest of them all? Tell me I'm the perfect queen," immediately reference the classic fairy tale of Snow White, where physical beauty was the most important attribute for a woman. However, the song takes a different turn by questioning the idea of beauty as defined by society, and who benefits from it.


The song's protagonist is aware of her own beauty, but also aware of how limiting it can be for her as a person. She questions the idea of being reduced to being "dirty pretty" – someone who is beautiful but nothing else – to satisfy the expectations of others. The lyrics "I won't be what you want me to be, your picture perfect vanity, I don't want to be your dirty pretty" convey the message that physical beauty is not everything, and the pressure to conform to society's standards of beauty can be oppressive.


The bridge of the song, "I won't close my eyes, like you want me to, I am wild and free, I am untamable, I'm more than you'll ever see, more than just your dirty pretty," highlights the idea of breaking free from society's expectations and embracing one's individuality. The song's message is empowering, encouraging women to reject the notion of "dirty pretty" and to be themselves regardless of societal pressure.


Line by Line Meaning

Mirror mirror on the wall
Asking for validation and confirmation of beauty from an external source


Who's the fairest of them all?
Inquiring about being the most beautiful and perfect being


Tell me I'm the perfect queen
Seeking approval and reinforcement of royalty and excellence


Mirror mirror in my hand
Reflecting on oneself and one's own beauty


Who's the fairest in the land?
Comparing oneself to others in terms of beauty


Are they lining up for me?
Questioning if others see and value one's beauty


Turn it on, tune it in, let it out
Opening up to the world, allowing oneself to be seen and heard


Maybe I am not all that I've learned
Questioning societal beauty standards and one's own self-worth


Close your eyes, you twist and you turn
Challenging others to see beyond superficial appearances and assumptions about oneself


I know I am more than they see
Recognizing and embracing one's true identity and worth


I'm everything, everything is me
Asserting oneself as a complex and multi-faceted individual


I won't be what you want me to be
Rejecting societal pressures to conform to certain beauty standards


Your picture perfect vanity
Rejecting the idea of perfection as defined by popular culture


I don't want to be your dirty pretty
Refusing to be seen as only a superficially attractive object


Mirror mirror unleash your tongue
Asking the mirror to provide honest feedback


Am I too old, am I too young?
Questioning if age is a factor in one's beauty and worth


Am I worthy of thy love?
Questioning if one's beauty is enough to earn love and affection


Mirror mirror, you're so vain
Acknowledging the mirror's superficial and narcissistic tendencies


Would you sell yourself for fame?
Questioning if the mirror would compromise its own standards for popularity and attention


Are you the vulture, or are you the dove?
Wondering if the mirror is a positive or negative influence on one's self-image


I won't close my eyes, like you want me to
Refusing to ignore or deny one's true self


I am wild and free, I am untamable
Embracing one's unique identity and rejecting attempts to suppress it


I'm more than you'll ever see
Asserting that one's true self is much more complex than surface-level appearances


More than just your dirty pretty
Rejecting the idea of being reduced to a shallow and superficial definition of beauty




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER JOHN HOWORTH, KEVIN CHURKO, MARIA DIANE BRINK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@00sakamotochan

Mirror mirror on the wall
Who's the fairest of them all?
Tell me I'm the perfect queen
Mirror mirror in my hand
Who's the fairest in the land?
Are they lining up for me?
Turn it on, tune it in, let it out
Turn it on, tune it in
Maybe I am not all that I've learned
Close your eyes, you twist and you turn
I know I am more than they see
I'm everything, everything is me
I won't be what you want me to be
Your picture perfect vanity
I don't want to be your dirty pretty
Mirror mirror unleash your tongue
Am I too old, am I too young?
Am I worthy of thy love?
Mirror mirror, you're so vain
Would you sell yourself for fame?
Are you the vulture, or are you the dove?
Turn it on, tune it in, let it out
Turn it on, tune it in
Maybe I am not all that I've learned
Close your eyes, you twist and you turn
I know I am more than they see
I'm everything, everything is me
I won't be what you want me to be
Your picture perfect vanity
I don't want to be your dirty pretty
I won't close my eyes, like you want me to
I am wild and free, I am untamable
I'm more than you'll ever see
More than just your dirty pretty
Maybe I am not all that I've learned
Close your eyes, you twist and you turn
I know I am more than they see
I'm everything, everything is me
I won't be what you want me to be
Your picture perfect vanity
I don't want to be your dirty pretty



All comments from YouTube:

@diannarodriguez9597

im sure we would all love a music video for this

@Alleera

I'm totally agree 

@Noodlepunk

A music video would be awesome. Should have a bunch of different women with different looks , sizes, and states of age in it. At least this is what I imagine when I listen to this song. 

@Snard11

Dianna Rodriguez I feel like this song would go very well with the "Eye of the Beholder" episode of the Twilight Zone

@alexfamie5255

Jim Snard nice reference

@derickjohnson6404

Dianna Rodriguez hell yes, all her video are emincely entertaining and just down right Peace's of art. Gotta love a good down right creepy scary Melody, that can really get right under most people's skin.

@subdragon007

It is really odd how people are bashing the sound and imagery of this album. I get the look. It's called Black Widow, and in the Cover art, and especially in the "Sick Like Me" video is a lot of imagery of a black widow spider. I have loved all the different musical styles they have employed on this album. I remember Blondie did so much experimental stuff in their day. Plus this band likes to make sure you get a show. I really like that. I hope they come down to the Gulf Coast again, and I can get out to see them live. 

@rustysteel7231

dam look how much Madonna changed up in the 80s people still jack off over her today...

@subdragon007

Wow I can't believe I'm still getting likes on this post. Cool. LOL

@Noodlepunk

I really like this Album and Song. Each song speaks to me and all the songs have some deep meaning that really touches me as a women. I loved her other albums but this shows How talented both her and the band is! 

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