A Pretty Girl Is Like
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


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A pretty girl is like a minstrel show It makes you laugh
It makes you cry You go It just isn't the same on radio
It's all about the makeup and the dancing and the Oh,
a pretty girl is like a violent crime If you do it wrong
you could do time but if you do it right it is sublime
I'm so in love with you, girl, It's like I'm on the moon
I can't really breathe, but I feel lighter A melody is like
a pretty girl Who cares if it's the dumbest in the world
It's all about the way that it unfurls A pretty girl is like




a pretty girl

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Magnetic Fields's song A Pretty Girl Is Like… paint a vivid picture about how society views pretty girls. The song suggests that a pretty girl is nothing more than a spectacle, a display of beauty for all to see. Just like a minstrel show, a pretty girl can make you feel emotions, but those emotions are shallow and fleeting, like laughter and tears. The song is saying that a pretty girl is not enough on its own, it needs makeup and dancing to be entertaining. It's not enough to just hear about a pretty girl on the radio, you need to see her and experience her in person.


The lyrics also suggest that a pretty girl is a dangerous thing, almost like committing a violent crime. If you don't approach her in the right way, you could do time, but if you do everything right, it can be a sublime experience. The song then shifts to a personal note where the singer confesses his love for a particular girl. He feels like he's on the moon but also like he can't breathe. The song ends by comparing a melody to a pretty girl, suggesting that it doesn't matter if the melody is dumb, what's important is the way it unfurls. It's a clever way of suggesting that it's the journey, not the destination, that's important—a theme that's relevant not just to music but to life in general.


Line by Line Meaning

A pretty girl is like a minstrel show
Comparing a pretty girl to a minstrel show because both can evoke different emotions, both positive and negative.


It makes you laugh
A pretty girl can make you happy and bring joy to your life.


It makes you cry You go
A pretty girl can also make you sad or emotional, and often takes your mind on a journey.


It just isn't the same on radio
Seeing a pretty girl in person is much more impactful and impressive than seeing or hearing about them through media platforms.


It's all about the makeup and the dancing and the
The beauty of a pretty girl is often attributed to the things they do to enhance their looks and the way they carry themselves.


Oh, a pretty girl is like a violent crime
Comparing a pretty girl to a violent crime because both can be dangerous, and can lead to negative consequences if done wrong.


If you do it wrong you could do time
When pursuing or interacting with a pretty girl, one must take care not to cross any boundaries, or face negative consequences.


But if you do it right it is sublime
If you approach a pretty girl in the correct manner, it can be an incredibly positive and fulfilling experience.


I'm so in love with you, girl, It's like I'm on the moon
When in love with a pretty girl, one can feel incredibly happy and excited, like they're on top of the world.


I can't really breathe, but I feel lighter
The presence of a pretty girl can evoke strong emotions and leave one breathless, but also create a sense of euphoria and levity.


A melody is like a pretty girl
Comparing a melody to a pretty girl because both can be beautiful and enchanting, and can evoke different emotions based on their composition.


Who cares if it's the dumbest in the world
The beauty of a melody or a pretty girl isn't necessarily in their intelligence, but rather their ability to evoke emotion and pleasure.


It's all about the way that it unfurls
The way that a melody or a pretty girl reveals itself over time can be just as important as the initial impression.


A pretty girl is like a pretty girl
The previous lines all serve to illustrate that a pretty girl is a unique and complex entity, and often can't be compared to anything else.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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