Pretty Woman
Van Halen (Backing Track) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pretty woman, walking down the street
Pretty woman, the kind I'd like to meet
Pretty woman, I don't believe you, it must be true
No one can look as good as you
Mercy
Pretty woman, won't you pardon me?
Pretty woman, oh you look lovely as you can be
Are you lonely just like me?
Ahhrrrr!
Pretty woman, stop awhile
Pretty woman, talk awhile
Pretty woman, give your smile to me
Pretty woman, yeah yeah yeah
Pretty woman, look my way
Pretty woman, say you'll stay with me
Cause I need you, need you tonight. Ah!
Pretty woman, don't walk on by
Pretty woman, don't make me cry
Pretty woman. Don't walk away-yay. Okay.
If that's the way it must be, okay
I guess I'll go on home, it's late
There'll be tomorrow night, but wait...What do I see?
She's walking back to me
Whoa, whoa, pretty woman
The song Pretty Woman, initially recorded by Roy Orbison, was covered by Van Halen as part of their album Diver Down. The lyrics of the song revolve around a man who is amazed by the beauty of a woman he sees on the street, and he cannot help but feel the need to pursue her. The repeated lines of "Pretty woman," indicate the awe-inspiring nature of the woman's beauty, with the singer of the song going on to say that he does not believe someone could look as good as her.
The man in the song tries to get the attention of the woman by prompting her to talk to him, making conversation with her and complimenting her beauty. He pleads with her to stay with him for the night, unable to contain his need for her. As the song nears its end, he almost resigns himself to the fact that she may not want to be with him, but the woman surprises him by walking back to him.
The song exudes a sense of admiration and longing toward the woman, who embodies the idea of perfection in the eyes of the singer. It is a classic expression of infatuation and the lengths one can go to pursue their desires, with the repeated "pretty woman" serving as an ode to the beauty that captivates the heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Pretty woman, walking down the street
I see a woman who is beautiful and attractive walking down the street
Pretty woman, the kind I'd like to meet
This woman is the type that I would like to get to know better
Pretty woman, I don't believe you, it must be true
This beautiful woman seems too good to be true, but I can't deny how stunning she is
No one can look as good as you
I have never seen anyone who looks as amazing as you do
Pretty woman, won't you pardon me?
Excuse me, beautiful woman, may I have a moment of your time?
Pretty woman, I couldn't help but see
I couldn't help but notice you because you are so strikingly gorgeous
Pretty woman, oh you look lovely as you can be
You look as beautiful as you possibly could be
Are you lonely just like me?
Do you feel as alone as I do?
Pretty woman, stop awhile
Please stop and talk to me for a little while
Pretty woman, talk awhile
Let's have a conversation since we're both here
Pretty woman, give your smile to me
I am drawn to your smile, may I have it for a moment?
Pretty woman, yeah yeah yeah
Yes, you are beautiful and perfect in every way
Pretty woman, look my way
Please look over here and acknowledge my presence
Pretty woman, say you'll stay with me
Will you consider spending time with me and staying by my side?
Cause I need you, need you tonight. Ah!
I have a strong desire for you and want to spend the night together
Pretty woman, don't walk on by
Please don't ignore me and keep walking
Pretty woman, don't make me cry
I don't want to be upset and emotional because of your actions
Pretty woman. Don't walk away-yay. Okay.
Please don't leave me, it's not okay for you to walk away
If that's the way it must be, okay
If you really have to go, I understand
I guess I'll go on home, it's late
I'll go back to my place since it's getting late
There'll be tomorrow night, but wait...What do I see?
I was going to wait until tomorrow night to meet someone else, but wait...who is coming towards me?
She's walking back to me
The woman I've been admiring is coming back towards me!
Whoa, whoa, pretty woman
Wow, this beautiful woman is truly amazing
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Barbara Orbison Music Company
Written by: Bill Dees, William M. Dees, Roy Orbison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John O'Shea
Hard to believe that MTV would not show this video at the time. Now, it seems that MTV will show just about anything. Except music.
bbutters2
It never ceases to amaze me about how cool Van Halen intro's were, this is no exception. Killer intro!
rocker4u123
it saddens me how they rarely play the full version of this : (. this intro is so badass
Nightcat
I love this! MTV really sucks nowadays. Bring back the music!
Doobie1975
Great song, to me this song isn't complete without the intro
IzzysAppentite
Eddie + Alex + Michael + David = Kings of rock n roll!!
rjarvis51
I was the hunchback... it took about 23 hours to shoot. Lots of fun. We all shot another video for the US Festival. David took Taz (one of the little people) and another 'shorty' on tour as his personal bodyguards that year. Look up the Life magazine spread on the Diver Down tour... it's great.
KENIZU 24
It´s not Van Halen without David!!! David Lee Roth rocks!!!
88mpny
THE best band of all time!!!!!
pierre jergeay
Great song ! Great Van Halen