He was born in Northampton, England, and grew up in Perth, Western Australia. He attended UWA (University of Western Australia) before launching onto the world stage at the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe Festival by winning the Best Newcomer Perrier Comedy Award.
His eccentric appearance (wild unkempt hair, heavy eyeliner and bare feet juxtaposed with a crisp and clean suit and tails, and a grand piano) adds to his comedic performances.
Notable songs include “Inflatable You”, “Rock N Roll Nerd” and the anthem “Canvas Bags”, the latter often used as a finale in which Tim will discard his jacket and lead the audience in an increasingly dramatic environmental pledge for people to reject plastic bags in favour of reusable canvas ones.
His 2005 and 2006 shows (Dark Side and So Rock, both named for songs within the shows) have been recorded to CD.
His first DVD, called 'So Live', was filmed in June 2007 in Sydney.
He currently resides in London with wife Sarah. They had a baby girl on November 24th, 2006 - Violet Minchin.
He also has a son, Caspar, who was born on July 3, 2009.
Beauty
Tim Minchin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She will dance with any bastard
She's undiscerning in her choice of partners
I could have her of course if I wish
But I object to her promiscuousness
Beauty just doesn't suit me
For beauty is a harlot
I won't be fooled by her vulgar charm
It is the easiest trick in the book
Music's the worm and beautys the hook
And I know you would swallow her whole
But Im not here to pander to souls
For beauty is a siren
Trying to draw me from my chosen mission
I won't be tempted by her seductive singing
On principle I refuse to be party to her abuse
It is not my job to squat in the gutter
Sharing the teat with you beauty drunk suckers
You paid to see satire and rage
I swear I won't let beauty set foot on this stage
For beauty is a siren
A spotlight hungry superficial harlot
She will toy with your defenceless heart and leave you
Tear streaked when the lights come on
You look around to find her gone
And despite your sighs you've not a clue
That as you fell from her she stole from you
For beauty is a harlot
She will lie with any two bit artist
And for all those other bastards
She seems to come so easily
But she comes too hard for me
In Tim Minchin's song "Beauty," the singer seems to be expressing a deep mistrust and dislike of the concept of beauty, personifying it as a "harlot," a "siren," and an "easy lay" for "lazy artists." He suggests that while beauty may be alluring to some, he is too principled to be drawn in by its charms or use it as a shortcut to success. Instead, he hints that his own chosen mission in the arts is something more substantial and enduring than the fleeting pleasures of superficial beauty.
One interpretation of this song might be that it is a rejection of the idea that an artist's primary goal should be to create something that is pleasing to the eye or ear, rather than something that is challenging or thought-provoking. The singer seems to be saying that he values substance and authenticity over surface-level appeal, and that he is willing to resist the temptations of beauty in order to achieve his artistic goals.
Another possible interpretation is that the song is a critique of the way that beauty is often commodified and packaged for mass consumption by the entertainment industry. The singer suggests that beauty can be a tool for exploitation and manipulation, leading people to invest in things that are ultimately empty or unsatisfying. He insists that he will not succumb to this kind of artifice, and that he would rather create something that is raw and honest, even if it is less conventionally beautiful.
Overall, "Beauty" is a complex and evocative song that raises interesting questions about the nature and value of art. By framing beauty as a "harlot" and a "siren," Minchin invites the listener to consider whether the pursuit of beauty is something to be celebrated or questioned. Through his witty and insightful wordplay, he reminds us that the pursuit of true artistic excellence requires more than just a pretty face or a catchy melody.
Line by Line Meaning
Beauty is a harlot
Beauty is an unchaste woman
She will dance with any bastard
She is indiscriminate in her choice of suitors
She's undiscerning in her choice of partners
She is without judgement in selecting those she consorts with
I could have her of course if I wish
I am capable of obtaining her, should I desire
But I object to her promiscuousness
But I disapprove of her wanton behavior
Beauty just doesn't suit me
Beauty does not appeal to me
An easy lay for lazy artists
Beauty is easily won over by unskilled creatives
I won't be fooled by her vulgar charm
I will not be deceived by her unrefined allure
It is the easiest trick in the book
It is a simple and often used tactic
Music's the worm and beautys the hook
Music is the bait and beauty is the lure
And I know you would swallow her whole
I know you would be taken in by her completely
But Im not here to pander to souls
But I am not here to please the masses
A spotlight hungry superficial harlot
A self-seeking and shallow woman seeking attention
Trying to draw me from my chosen mission
Attempting to divert me from my intended purpose
I won't be tempted by her seductive singing
I will not give in to her enticing music
On principle I refuse to be party to her abuse
I choose not to participate in her exploitation
It is not my job to squat in the gutter
It is not my obligation to humiliate myself
Sharing the teat with you beauty drunk suckers
Joining with those who are drunk with lust for beauty
You paid to see satire and rage
You paid to witness humor and anger
I swear I won't let beauty set foot on this stage
I vow to keep beauty off this platform
She will toy with your defenceless heart and leave you
She will play with your vulnerable emotions and abandon you
Tear streaked when the lights come on
Crying when the spotlight reveals the truth
You look around to find her gone
You search for her only to realize she is no longer there
And despite your sighs you've not a clue
Despite your lamentations, you are unaware
That as you fell from her she stole from you
That as you were falling for her, she was taking from you
She will lie with any two-bit artist
She will sleep with any mediocre performer
And for all those other bastards
And for all those other undeserving men
She seems to come so easily
She seems to be easily available to them
But she comes too hard for me
But she is too difficult to attain for me
Contributed by Austin I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
El Quercu
Beauty is a harlot
She will dance with any bastard
She's undiscerning in her choice of partners
I could have her of course if I wish
But I object to her promiscuousness
Beauty just doesn't suit me
For beauty is a harlot
An easy lay for lazy artists
I won't be fooled by her vulgar charm
It is the easiest trick in the book
Music's the worm and beautys the hook
And I know you would swallow her whole
But Im not here to pander to souls
For beauty is a siren
Trying to draw me from my chosen mission
I won't be tempted by her seductive singing
On principle I refuse to be party to her abuse
It is not my job to squat in the gutter
Sharing the teat with you beauty drunk suckers
You paid to see satire and rage
I swear I won't let beauty set foot on this stage
For beauty is a siren
A spotlight hungry superficial harlot
She will toy with your defenceless heart and leave you
Tear streaked when the lights come on
You look around to find her gone
And despite your sighs you've not a clue
That as you fell for her, she stole from you
For beauty is a harlot
She will lie with any two bit artist
And for all those other bastards
She seems to come so easily
But she comes too hard for me
José Ordoqui
Beauty is a harlot
She will dance with any bastard
She's undiscerning in her choice of partners
I could have her of course if I wish
But I object to her promiscuousness
Beauty just doesn't do it for me
For beauty is a harlot
An easy lay for lazy artists
I won't be fooled by her vulgar charm
It is the easiest trick in the book
Music's the worm and beautys the hook
And I know you would swallow her whole
But Im not here to satisfy souls
For beauty is a siren
Trying to draw me from my chosen mission
I won't be tempted by her seductive singing
On principle I refuse to be party to her abuse
It is not my job to squat in the gutter
Sharing the teat with you beauty drunk suckers
You paid to see satire and rage
I swear I won't let beauty set foot on this stage
For beauty is a siren
A spotlight hungry superficial harlot
She will toy with your defenceless heart and leave you
Tear streaked when the lights come on
You look around to find her gone
And despite your sighs you've not a clue
That as you fell from her she stole from you
Curvy
Its a rare talent to be able to sing "she comes so hard to me" and still sound deep
HONK
Because it's true in multiple levels, not just the comedic one.
MunneyMerking
There is something about Tim's voice that soothes you like a lullaby.
One of the best songs ever written.
Paul Harrison
Can't believe I'd never heard this one before. Brilliant song.
IlastarothTayre
I get chills everytime I listen to this song. Tim, you're truly something special.
Charlie Steadman
Me: I won't cry this time
Also me: cries eyes out this song isn't even sad, it's just so relatable and true, it gives you a warm fuzy feeling inside, continues to cry alone
Cayden Taylor
I like how this song that makes fun of songs about beauty is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard
lloydgush
I think that's the point.
Coteaux
Tim is probably the most talented dude i know who uses all of it ironically
Püp Noomann
woosh