Ugly
Nicole Dollanger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Humiliation in your eyes when you told me
Well I'm gonna find them
Don't you worry
I'll make sure
They're really fucking sorry
You said you're embarassed of your body
Well my love I know you don't see
What I see
Anything that is beautiful
People want to break
And you are beautiful
I'm afraid
Anything that is beautiful
People want to break
And you are beautiful
I'm afraid
You said you're ashamed of your body
You'd rather die than show me
But I would love you in any
Form you take
You said that they say you're disgusting
That they told you you were fat and unworthy
Well my love I hope you trust me
When I say you have a perfect body
Anything that is beautiful
People want to break
And you are beautiful
I'm afraid
Anything that is beautiful
People want to break
And you are beautiful
I'm afraid
In "Ugly" by Nicole Dollanganger, the artist is consoling her loved one who is struggling with self-image. The lyrics are reflective of the struggles that many individuals face with body image and how society perpetuates damaging beauty standards. The first two lines speak to the loved one's experience of being made fun of and being humiliated because of their body. The following lines establish the artist's protective feelings for her loved one and her intent to defend and fight for them by finding and confronting those people who made fun of her loved one. This can be seen in the line, "Don't you worry/I'll make sure/They're really fucking sorry."
The chorus begins with the line, "Anything that is beautiful/People want to break," which highlights the perennial struggle that anyone who deviates from society's expectations of beauty and physical attractiveness must face regularly. The artist then tells her loved one that they are beautiful and admits to being afraid for them because of the injustices they are likely to face. The lyrics reveal a level of empathy and acceptance from the artist for her loved one, evident in the line "I would love you in any/Form you take."
Overall, "Ugly" emphasizes the importance of loving and accepting one's body and the devastating impact society's beauty standards can have on individuals who differ from those expectations. The artist offers her unwavering support and empathy to her loved one, creating a powerful message for anyone struggling with their self-image.
Line by Line Meaning
You said they made fun of your body
You confided in me that others have ridiculed your physical appearance
Humiliation in your eyes when you told me
I could see the pain and embarrassment in your expression as you shared your experience
Well I'm gonna find them
I will not tolerate those who hurt you and I will take action to hold them accountable
Don't you worry
You have my support and I will protect you from further harm
I'll make sure
I am committed to ensuring that those who wronged you face consequences and learn from their actions
They're really fucking sorry
I will hold those responsible accountable in such a way that they deeply regret their behavior
You said you're embarassed of your body
You feel shame and discomfort about your physical appearance
You told me you think you're really ugly
You opened up about your negative self-image and belief that you are unattractive
Well my love I know you don't see
Despite what you may believe about yourself, I see your inner beauty and worth
What I see
I recognize your unique and special qualities that make you a beautiful person
Anything that is beautiful
I acknowledge the unfortunate reality that beauty often invites cruelty and negativity from others
People want to break
Some individuals seek to undermine or destroy beauty out of jealousy, insecurity, or malice
And you are beautiful
Despite the challenges and judgment you face, you possess a captivating and valuable beauty
I'm afraid
I am scared for you and the harm that society can inflict on those who defy beauty norms
You said you're ashamed of your body
Your negative perception of your physical form causes you to feel humiliated or guilty
You'd rather die than show me
Your shame and insecurity are so intense that you would rather die than reveal your body to me
But I would love you in any
My love for you is not based on your physical appearance or adherence to societal standards
Form you take
I will accept and cherish all aspects of your being, including your body in any shape or size
You said that they say you're disgusting
Others have used cruel and hateful language to describe your physical appearance
That they told you you were fat and unworthy
These hurtful comments have made you feel that your body is unacceptable and that you lack value
Well my love I hope you trust me
I want you to believe in my love and support, even when external voices try to undermine us
When I say you have a perfect body
I want you to know that your body, like your entire self, is unique and valuable in its imperfections
Contributed by Lillian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.