Running 2:38, this song lyrically is an expression of Wainwrights love for beauty, the "pretty things" that are all around us. It's not clear who he is addressing in the song, but the Want One album deals with a number of his relationships as he confronts his demons.
Pretty Things
Rufus Wainwright Lyrics
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Pretty lies, so what if I like pretty lies
From where you are
To where I am now
I need these pretty things
Around the planets of my face
Everything's a sign of my astrology
From where you are
To where I am now
Is its own galaxy
Be a star and fall down somewhere next to me
And make it past your color TV
This time will pass and with it will me
And all these pretty things
And don't say you don't notice them
The lyrics to Rufus Wainwright's song "Pretty Things" suggest an appreciation for aesthetics and a willingness to go along with deception if it enhances the overall beauty of life. The first verse, "Pretty things, so what if I like pretty things, Pretty lies, so what if I like pretty lies," implies that the singer isn't concerned with the truthfulness of an image but rather the visual appeal. The line "I need these pretty things around the planets of my face" shows the singer’s obsession with having visual beauty around them.
The chorus, "From where you are to where I am now, I need these pretty things," suggests a divide between the singer and the listener, where the singer's desire for beauty might be interpreted as superficial, but to the singer, it's essential to their existence. "Everything's a sign of my astrology" implies the singer believes their obsession with aesthetics is more profound than surface-level beauty.
The bridge, "Be a star and fall down somewhere next to me, and make it past your color TV, this time will pass and with it will me, and all these pretty things, and don't say you don't notice them," suggests that the singer feels lonely and wants someone to come down and share in their passion. The line "make it past your color TV" suggests that the singer is aware the listener may not share the same passion for beauty since they don't take the time to look at it, but the singer still feels the need for validation.
Line by Line Meaning
Pretty things, so what if I like pretty things
I do not care about people's judgements when it comes to my liking towards beautiful things
Pretty lies, so what if I like pretty lies
Even though the truth may be harsh, it is still hard to resist a well-constructed lie
From where you are
The starting point of a person or object in space and time
To where I am now
The current location and state of the artist
I need these pretty things
The artist has a requirement for aesthetically pleasing objects
Around the planets of my face
The singer believes that their facial features hold symbolic relevance and ties to the cosmos
Everything's a sign of my astrology
The singer perceives all events and moments in their life as being intertwined with their astrological destiny
Is its own galaxy
The journey and progression from one point in time to another creates a unique, personal galaxy
Be a star and fall down somewhere next to me
The artist desires for someone or something to be with them, even if it means falling from their high position
And make it past your color TV
The artist wants to escape the shallow, superficial nature of modern-day life and media
This time will pass and with it will me
The singer acknowledges that life is temporary and will eventually end for them
And all these pretty things
All of the beautiful and aesthetically pleasing possessions and experiences will pass along with the artist
And don't say you don't notice them
The singer knows that others also appreciate and notice the beauty in the world
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind