Music by Noel Hogan & Dolores O’ Riordan
Lyric… Read Full Bio ↴CREDIT INFORMATION
Music by Noel Hogan & Dolores O’ Riordan
Lyrics Dolores O’ Riordan
Produced and Engineered by Stephen Street
Additional Engineering by Aiden McGovern at Windmill Studios
Mixed at Maison Rouge, Fulham, London
Published by Island Music Ltd 1993
Pretty
The Cranberries Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're so pretty the way you are
And you have no reason
To be so insolent to me
You're so pretty the way you are
La, la
You got to say it if you want to
La, la
You got to say it if you want to
But you won't change me
You're so pretty the way you are
You're so pretty the way you are
And you have no reason
To be so insolent to me
You're so pretty the way you are
La, la
You got to say it if you want to
But you won't change me
La, la
You got to say it if you want to
But you won't change me
The lyrics to The Cranberries' song "Pretty" could be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possibility is that the singer is addressing someone who is unhappy with their appearance or personality, reassuring them that they are fine the way they are. The repetition of the phrase "You're so pretty the way you are" emphasizes this message, suggesting that beauty comes from within and is not dependent on external factors like makeup or fashion. However, the second half of the chorus - "You got to say it if you want to, but you won't change me" - implies that the singer has encountered resistance or criticism from the person they are addressing. The use of the word "insolent" suggests that this criticism may be disrespectful or rude, and the repetition of the "La, la" refrain adds a note of defiance to the overall tone of the song.
Another possible interpretation is that the song is about self-acceptance, with the singer addressing themselves rather than someone else. In this reading, the repetition of the phrase "You're so pretty the way you are" would be a form of self-affirmation. The mention of someone being "insolent" could be interpreted as the inner critic or the voice of self-doubt that often undermines our confidence. The line "You got to say it if you want to, but you won't change me" could be seen as a declaration of self-determination, refusing to be swayed by negative thoughts or external pressures.
Interestingly, the song's music video, which features the band performing in a forest, includes images of children playing and running around. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the freedom and innocence of being true to oneself, unencumbered by expectations or standards imposed by others.
Line by Line Meaning
You're so pretty the way you are
I find you beautiful just the way you are, without needing any changes.
You're so pretty the way you are
I repeat myself to emphasize that you don't need to change anything about yourself.
And you have no reason
There is no justification or explanation for your rude behavior towards me.
To be so insolent to me
Your disrespectful and rude behavior towards me is unwarranted and unacceptable.
You're so pretty the way you are
Despite your behavior towards me, I still find you beautiful just the way you are.
La, la
A non-lexical vocable used to fill space or indicate a transition in the song.
You got to say it if you want to
If you have something to say about me or how I look, you have to speak up and tell me to my face.
But you won't change me
Regardless of what you say or how you feel, I won't change for you or anyone else.
La, la
A non-lexical vocable used to fill space or indicate a transition in the song.
You got to say it if you want to
I challenge you to speak up and tell me how you really feel about me, if you have the courage to do so.
But you won't change me
No matter what you say or do, I am comfortable with who I am and won't change just to appease you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NOEL ANTHONY HOGAN, DOLORES MARY O'RIORDAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hydra11b__18
Her voice brings me to tears every time..
@jdt5d7rjdtdcrgfurv68
I dedicated this song to my daughter for our father/ daughter dance at her quinceñero. She was born with down syndrome almost 18 years ago and this song says it perfectly. She truly is so pretty the way she is. I love you, Jade. 💖
@jeanniebooth171
Amen ❤
@narrativetherapist4082
You must have missed the line about being insolent.
@27sebastiaan
RIP Dolores 😔..thank you for all the beautiful songs you gave us..
@Gildedbutterfly1976
Oh this takes me back to such a carefree time in my life. I miss the early ‘90s. 😪
@miyukishijisha8540
Sheels1976...meet you there*^^*
@aurabellamancini137
Cranberries was me and my mates life ive loved delores always.
@dropkickninja5379
Please someone make a time machine
@avamasquerade
I miss the spirit of the time, even if it was mostly people ODing in a Portland loft somewhere, and even if I wasn't there cause I was 10...