It is the seventh track of Lana Del Rey's third studio album, Ultraviolence.
Pretty When You Cry
Lana Del Rey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Am I the girl that you dream of?
All those little times you said that I'm your girl
You make me feel like your whole world
I'll wait for you, babe, that's all I do, babe
Don't come through, babe, you never do
Because I'm pretty when I cry
I'm pretty when I cry
I'm pretty when I cry
I'm pretty when I cry
All those special times I spent with you, my love
They don't mean shit compared to all your drugs
But I don't really mind, I've got much more than that
Like my memories, I don't need that
I'll wait for you, babe, you don't come through, babe
You never do, babe, that's just what you do
Because I'm pretty when I cry
I'm pretty when I cry
I'm pretty when I cry
I'm pretty when I cry
Don't say you need me when
You leave and you leave again
I'm stronger than all my men
Except for you
Don't say you need me if
You live last, you're leaving
I can't do it, I can't do it
But you do it best
'Cause I'm pretty when I cry, I'm pretty when I cry
Pretty when I cry, I'm pretty when I cry
Pretty when I cry, I'm pretty when I cry
I'm pretty when I cry
I'm pretty when I cry
The lyrics to "Pretty When You Cry" by Lana Del Rey tell a story of a woman who is deeply in love with someone who doesn't treat her well. The opening lines of the song suggest that this person is the center of her universe, as she imagines all of the stars in the sky shining just for them. She wonders if she's the kind of girl they dream of, and remembers all the times they've told her she's their girl. These words make her feel special and loved, like she's the most important person in the world to this person.
However, the lyrics take a dark turn when she begins to discuss the other things in this person's life that are more important than her. They are addicted to drugs, something she doesn't approve of, and she feels like all the good times they've shared together are meaningless in comparison to their habit. Despite this, she still loves them deeply and would do anything to be with them. She waits for them, even though they almost never show up, and when they're not there, she cries. But even in her sadness, she is still "pretty when [she] cries," which suggests that even her pain is beautiful.
The bridge of the song reveals that this person is not treating her well. They say they need her, but then leave and come back whenever they feel like it, leaving her heartbroken each time. Despite this, she can't seem to let go of them, even though she knows she should. The song ends with the repeating refrain of "I'm pretty when I cry," which suggests that the singer sees even her sadness as something beautiful, but also that she's trapped in this toxic cycle of love and pain.
Overall, the song is a haunting reminder of the power of toxic relationships, and how easy it can be to become trapped within them, even when we know they're bad for us.
Line by Line Meaning
All the pretty stars shine for you, my love
You are the center of my universe and everything around you seems to be shining just for you.
Am I the girl that you dream of?
I'm wondering if I am the perfect girl for you and if I fulfill all your dreams and desires.
All those little times you said that I'm your girl
You've told me that I'm yours and it's made me feel special and wanted.
You make me feel like your whole world
When I'm with you, I feel like I'm everything to you and that nothing else matters.
I'll wait for you, babe, that's all I do, babe
I'll be patient and wait for you no matter how long it takes.
Don't come through, babe, you never do
But you never come through or keep your promises when it comes to me.
Because I'm pretty when I cry
You seem to enjoy seeing me cry because you think I look pretty that way.
All those special times I spent with you, my love
Despite all the good times we've shared, they don't matter as much to you as your addiction to drugs.
They don't mean shit compared to all your drugs
Your drug addiction has taken priority over the happy memories we've shared together.
But I don't really mind, I've got much more than that
Even though I'm hurt by your addiction, I don't mind as much because I know I have other things in my life that bring me joy.
Like my memories, I don't need that
I don't need drugs to be happy because I have my memories of us together.
Don't say you need me when
Don't try to convince me that you need me in your life when you keep leaving and coming back.
You leave and you leave again
You constantly leave me behind and it makes it hard for me to trust you.
I'm stronger than all my men
I'm a strong person and I've dealt with many difficulties in my life before.
Except for you
But you have a hold on me that no one else could ever have or understand.
Don't say you need me if you live last, you're leaving
If you keep choosing your drugs and addiction over me, don't bother trying to convince me that you need me.
I can't do it, I can't do it
I can't keep waiting for you, hurting over your absence, and being second to your addiction.
But you do it best
Despite my struggles, I keep coming back to you because you have a hold on me like no one else.
'Cause I'm pretty when I cry, I'm pretty when I cry
You seem to enjoy seeing me cry because you think I look pretty that way.
Pretty when I cry, I'm pretty when I cry
You enjoy seeing me in pain and crying because it pleases you.
Pretty when I cry, I'm pretty when I cry
You think I'm beautiful even when I'm in my most vulnerable state.
I'm pretty when I cry
My sadness and tears make me even more beautiful in your eyes.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Elizabeth Grant, Blake Stranathan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Cochran
on West Coast
Amazing how the film maker lifted the filming of this video directly from the Chet Baker documentary Let's Get Lost - black & white hanging at the beach and cruising in the backs of convertables
ciggywater
on National Anthem
such a goddess
Abygail Fernandez Smith
on West Coast
ganda
Inside Bilderberg
on Cruel World
Love this song.
Romatizzalid Bozin Veda Loca
on West Coast
barcelona akhawa
Dawit Dawit
on Ultraviolence
nice
Dawit Dawit
on West Coast
best