The song's theme is inner beauty, and its value over physical appearance. David Ruffin sings lead on this song, relating the story of a man who's become frustrated with dating pretty women with "ugly" attitudes. He now praises his current girl, whom he does not find as physically beautiful, but feels that her personality more than makes up for it. "She may be fine on the outside/but so untrue on the inside", is a typical lyric from the song.
Norman Whitfield recorded the song's instrumental track in 1964, two years before he got together with Eddie Holland to have lyrics written for the song. Several artists recorded "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" before the Temptations, including David Ruffin's older brother Jimmy Ruffin, and The Miracles , who included it on their 1966 "Away We A Go- Go" album. After Whitfield's previous production for the Temptations, "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", hit number-one on the Billboard R&B singles chart, he prepared "Beauty is Only" as a showcase for Ruffin and the Temptations.
"Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" was an R&B number-one hit, the Temptations' fourth, and reached number-three on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart. The song never appeared on a regular Temptations studio LP, but was featured on the group's first Greatest Hits record.
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause a pretty face got the best of me
Suddenly you came into my life
And gave it meaning and pure delight
Now, good looks I've learned to do without
'Cause now I know it's love that really counts
I know beauty's only skin deep
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah (yes indeed)
Now, you speak your words warm and sincere
And let's me know that your love is near
A pretty face you many not possess
But what I like about you is your tenderness
A pretty face may be some guys taste
But I'll take lovin' in its place
'Cause I know beauty's only skin deep
Yeah yeah yeah
And I know, beauty's only skin deep
Oh baby, oh yeah (oh yeah, oh yeah)
Beauty's only skin deep
Yeah yeah yeah
Beauty's only skin deep
Oh yeah
Now, friends ask what do I see in you
But it goes deeper than the eye can view
You have a pleasing personality
And that's an ever lovin' rare quality
Now, show me a girl, a girl that's fine
And I'll choose the one with true lovin' ev'ry time
'Cause I know that beauty's only skin deep
And I believe that (yeah yeah yeah)
Beauty's only skin deep
Oh yeah
So if you're lookin' for a lover
(Oh, yeah) don't judge a book by its cover
(Oh yeah) she may be fine on the outside
(Oh yeah) but so untrue on the inside
The Temptations' "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" speaks about the importance of seeing beyond surface-level beauty, prioritizing inner qualities such as warmth, sincerity, and tenderness. The singer initially fell victim to the beauty-centric social norms, but his love interest came and changed his perspective on relationships. He realized that it's not the face that matters but the love, which is what counts in a relationship. He acknowledges that beauty is only skin deep, and he is willing to overlook it so he can have pure love instead. The song presents personal experiences of the singer, and uses beauty as a metaphor for deeper meanings of relationships such as true love, personality, and character.
Line by Line Meaning
So in love, sad as could be
I was in love with someone who was beautiful, but they betrayed me and now I am sad.
'Cause a pretty face got the best of me
I was too focused on someone's good looks and it blinded me to who they truly were.
Suddenly you came into my life
You appeared out of nowhere and changed everything for me.
And gave it meaning and pure delight
You made my life meaningful and full of joy.
Now, good looks I've learned to do without
I have learned to not place so much value on someone's appearance.
'Cause now I know it's love that really counts
I now realize that love is the most important thing in a relationship.
I know beauty's only skin deep
I understand that beauty is only a superficial trait and not an indicator of someone's character.
Now, you speak your words warm and sincere
You speak in a way that is genuine and sincere, letting me know that your love is real.
And let's me know that your love is near
You make me feel loved and cared for.
A pretty face you many not possess
You may not have the physical beauty that other people value.
But what I like about you is your tenderness
But what I appreciate about you is your kind and gentle nature.
A pretty face may be some guys taste
Some guys may prefer a woman who is conventionally beautiful.
But I'll take lovin' in its place
But I value love over physical appearance.
'Cause I know beauty's only skin deep
Because I understand that beauty is not a reliable indicator of someone's character.
Now, friends ask what do I see in you
My friends are curious about why I am attracted to you.
But it goes deeper than the eye can view
But my attraction to you is based on more than just physical appearance.
You have a pleasing personality
I find your personality to be charming and attractive.
And that's an ever lovin' rare quality
Your personality is a rare and wonderful quality that I value highly.
Now, show me a girl, a girl that's fine
If you show me a conventionally beautiful woman,
And I'll choose the one with true lovin' ev'ry time
I will choose the woman who is capable of true love every time.
'Cause I know that beauty's only skin deep
Because I know that beauty is a superficial trait.
And I believe that (yeah yeah yeah)
And I am confident that this belief is true.
So if you're lookin' for a lover
So if you are seeking someone to love,
(Oh, yeah) don't judge a book by its cover
Do not base your opinion on someone solely on their physical appearance.
(Oh yeah) she may be fine on the outside
Just because someone looks good on the outside,
(Oh yeah) but so untrue on the inside
It does not necessarily mean they are a good person on the inside.
Lyrics © SONY ATV MUSIC PUB LLC, SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP
Written by: NORMAN WHITFIELD, EDDIE HOLLAND JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kwameaboagye940
RIP, Brother David Ruffin, Brother Paul Williams, Brother Dennis Edwards, Brother Eddie Kendricks and Brother Mel Franklin. Big up to you, Brother Otis Williams the only surviving Temptations.
@RobShamar
What about AL?
@RLOPEZ4600
Amen Kwame ! This music still lives on inside of us !
@jacquelinefox2632
Told you
@GSXR-1000
@@RobShamarhe died in the 60's
@Venessa.-qh7wx
GOD BLESS YOU Otis William's!!!
@TheBlackFenceCat
I love this song. David Ruffin has a brilliant voice.
@renataylor5550
ME TOO 💯💯💯
@beststorytime4325
@@renataylor5550you have no media
@VictorYoung-mc8pg
@renataylor5550 7th is is 😮😮😮😮😮15r