pretty isn’t pretty
Tbc & Olivia Rodrigo Lyrics
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I started to skip lunch, stopped eatin' cake on birthdays
I bought a new prescription to try and stay calm
'Cause there's always somethin' missin'
There's always somethin' in the mirror that I think looks wrong
When pretty isn't pretty enough, what do you do?
And everybody's keepin' it up, so you think it's you
I could try every lipstick in every shade
But I'd always feel the same
'Cause pretty isn't pretty enough anyways
You can win the battle, but you'll never win the war
You fix the things you hated, and you'd still feel so insecure
And I try to ignore it, but it's everythin' I see
It's on the poster on the wall, it's in the shitty magazines
It's in my phone, it's in my head, it's in the boys I bring to bed
It's all around, it's all the time, I don't know why I even try
When pretty isn't pretty enough, what do you do?
And everybody's keepin' it up, so you think it's you
I could change up my body and change up my face
I could try every lipstick in every shade
But I'd always feel the same
'Cause pretty isn't pretty enough
And I bought all the clothes that they told me to buy
I chased some dumb ideal my whole fucking life
And none of it matters, and none of it ends
You just feel like shit over and over again
No, it'll never change
Pretty isn't pretty enough, mmm
Everybody's keepin' it up, oh
Pretty isn't pretty enough
But pretty isn't-
The song "pretty isn't pretty" by Tbc & Olivia Rodrigo explores the theme of society's unrealistic beauty standards and the pressure to conform to them. The lyrics depict a person who feels compelled to change their physical appearance in order to fit in and be considered attractive. They buy makeup to cover up their face, try to lose weight by skipping meals, and even resort to prescription medication to calm their insecurities. However, despite their efforts, they still feel like something is always missing, and they constantly find fault with their reflection in the mirror.
The chorus of the song questions the notion of beauty and its sufficiency. The person wonders what to do when being pretty isn't enough, as they observe how everyone around them seems to strive for perfection and believe that they themselves are the problem. They contemplate changing their body and face, trying different lipsticks, but ultimately, they realize that no matter how much they alter their appearance, they still feel the same - inadequate.
The second verse emphasizes the never-ending battle for self-acceptance and the futile nature of trying to fix the things one dislikes about themselves. The person acknowledges that they try to ignore the pervasive influence of societal ideals on their self-perception, but it consumes them. It's in the advertisements, magazines, and even in the people they involve themselves with intimately. They express their frustration and confusion, questioning why they even bother to try when pretty isn't enough in the first place.
Overall, the song delves into the destructive effects of society's obsession with beauty and the toll it takes on individuals' self-esteem. It highlights the constant striving for an unattainable ideal and the internal battle against feeling insecure and inadequate. It sends a message of defiance against the pressure to conform and an acknowledgment that striving for external beauty alone will not bring true happiness or fulfillment.
Interesting facts about the song "pretty isn't pretty":
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
Bought a bunch of makeup
I purchased a large amount of cosmetic products
Tryna' cover up my face
Attempting to hide or conceal my facial features
I started to skip lunch
I began to avoid eating my midday meal
Stopped eatin' cake on birthdays
I ceased consuming cake during birthday celebrations
Bought a new prescription
I acquired a fresh prescription
To try and stay calm
In an effort to maintain a state of tranquility
'Cause there's always something missin'
Because there is constantly a feeling of something lacking
There's always something in the mirror that I think looks wrong
I consistently perceive flaws when I look at myself in the mirror
When pretty isn't pretty enough
In instances where beauty fails to satisfy entirely
What do you do?
What course of action should be taken?
And everybody's keepin' it up
Moreover, everyone is maintaining appearances
So you think it's you
Resulting in the belief that you are the problem
I could change up my body and change up my face
I have the option to alter my physique and facial features
I could try every lipstick in every shade
I could experiment with various shades of lipstick
But I always feel the same
However, I consistently experience the same emotions
'Cause pretty isn't pretty enough anyways
Because beauty alone is not sufficient, regardless
You can win the battle
Although you may triumph in a particular conflict
But you'll never win the war
Victory in the grand scheme of things is unattainable
You fix the things you hated
Even after rectifying the aspects you despised
And you'd still feel so insecure
You will still experience profound self-doubt
And I try to ignore it, but it's everything I see
Although I attempt to disregard it, it permeates my entire perception
It's on the poster on the wall, it's in the shitty magazines
It is present on posters hanging on walls and within low-quality publications
It's in my phone, it's in my head, it's in the boys I bring to bed
It exists within my mobile device, my thoughts, and the people I engage with intimately
It's all around, it's all the time and I don't know why I even try
It surrounds me constantly, without respite, and I am uncertain why I persist in my endeavors
And I bought all the clothes that they told me to buy
Moreover, I acquired all the clothing items recommended to me
I chased some dumb ideal my whole fucking life
I relentlessly pursued a foolish notion throughout my entire existence
And none of it matters and none of it ends
However, none of it holds significance and none of it reaches a conclusion
You just feel like shit over and over again
You constantly experience deep feelings of negativity
No, it'll never change
No, the situation will never improve
Pretty isn't pretty enough
Simply being beautiful is insufficient
Everybody's keepin' it up
Everyone is upholding appearances
Pretty isn't pretty enough
Beauty alone fails to satisfy entirely
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Amy Allen, Daniel Nigro, Olivia Rodrigo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
conta conta
this is so pretty, i can’t stop listening 😭