Pretty When You Cry
Vast Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're made of my rib or baby
You're made of my sin
And I can't tell where
Your lust ends
And where your love begins

I didn't want to hurt you baby
I didn't want to hurt you
I didn't want to hurt you
But you're pretty when you cry

And the moon gives me
Permission and I enter
Through her eyes
She's losing her virginity and
All her will to compromise

I didn't want to hurt you baby
I didn't want to hurt you
I didn't want to hurt you
But you're pretty when you cry

I didn't want to fuck you baby
I didn't want to fuck you
I didn't want to fuck you
But you're pretty
When you're mine

I didn't really love you baby
I didn't really love you
I didn't really love you
But I'm pretty when I lie

You hurt me baby
I hurt you baby

If you knew how much I love you
You would run away
But when I treat you bad
It always makes you want to stay

I didn't want to hurt you baby
I didn't want to hurt you baby




I didn't want to hurt you baby
I didn't want to hurt you baby

Overall Meaning

The first stanza of the lyrics has a biblical reference as the singer talks about the person being made of their rib or sin, similar to the creation story in the book of Genesis where Eve is created from Adam's rib. The singer confesses their confusion as they cannot distinguish where the person's lust ends, and where their love begins, indicating a sense of blurred lines between desire and affection. In the second stanza, the moon, often seen as a symbol of femininity and emotion, gives the singer permission to enter the person through their eyes, symbolically taking advantage of their vulnerability. The person is losing their virginity and will to compromise, suggesting they are being coerced into something they may not necessarily want.


The chorus of the song is where the singer contradicts themselves. They claim they did not want to hurt the person, but then proceed to say that they are "pretty when you cry," implying a twisted sense of pleasure from the other's pain. The third stanza has the singer explicitly saying they did not want to have sex with the person, but they are "pretty when you're mine," indicating that appearances are more important than consent. In the final stanza, the singer confesses that they did not really love the person, but they are still "pretty when I lie," possibly suggesting they have a fixation with appearances and aesthetics. The end of the song has both the singer and the person acknowledging they hurt each other, but there is a sense of ambiguity on whether they will continue this toxic relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

You're made of my rib or baby
You are a part of me or my creation.


You're made of my sin
You embody my wrongdoing and misdeeds.


And I can't tell where Your lust ends And where your love begins
I am confused about your motives and the distinction between your sexual desire and romantic feelings.


I didn't want to hurt you baby I didn't want to hurt you I didn't want to hurt you But you're pretty when you cry
I regret causing you pain, but I find your emotional distress intoxicating and attractive.


And the moon gives me Permission and I enter Through her eyes She's losing her virginity and All her will to compromise
The moon represents a catalyst for my actions, as I take advantage of a vulnerable woman who is sacrificing her morals and beliefs.


I didn't want to fuck you baby I didn't want to fuck you I didn't want to fuck you But you're pretty When you're mine
I didn't necessarily desire a physical relationship with you, but I enjoy owning and dominating you.


I didn't really love you baby I didn't really love you I didn't really love you But I'm pretty when I lie
My feelings for you were insincere and superficial, and I take pleasure in deceiving you.


You hurt me baby I hurt you baby
Our relationship is characterized by mutual damage and pain.


If you knew how much I love you You would run away But when I treat you bad It always makes you want to stay
My intense affection for you is dangerous and unhealthy, and my mistreatment of you reinforces a toxic cycle of dependence and abuse.


I didn't want to hurt you baby I didn't want to hurt you baby I didn't want to hurt you baby I didn't want to hurt you baby
Repeated apologizing for my actions does not excuse or repair the harm I have caused you.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: BERNARD (GB 2) SUMNER, GILLIAN LESLEY GILBERT, PETER HOOK, STEPHEN PAUL DAVID MORRIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@carbon-m8

I found this video randomly on the internet 17 years ago. It was in Quicktime format and definitely low-resolution by today's standards. YouTube was just in it's infancy and this video was my first post. I loved Vast and still do 17 years later. This was long overdue, by the way.

@DroidLocks6971

I learned about this song listening to a book called the butcher and the wren

@assbat1205

I need a higher quality of this its so cinematic

@user-lw6yt8qg3j

I actually have a original C.D. but people will never understand about every song has multiple people and actual actions. Plus great music

@Chuggertron9000

If someone could upload a nice, crisp HD version of this, I'd be eternally grateful. Hands down one of my favourite music videos, and it definetly deserves it.

@kaydscott425

Filmed on vintage camera. Wouldn't be as cool. Appreciate the art or yeah maybe fix it yourself. We do have technology nowadays.

@BootleggerMCMXX

@@kaydscott425 I wouldn't say it was shot on a vintage camera, rather an analog one and director of this video pretty famous Philipp Stölzl shoots in 1998, the Arriflex 435 (35mm) was already available, Evanescence - Bring me to live (2003) also filmed by him with this camera. All we need is original tape converted to digital format and the right hands to do it.

@tommyhansen1556

Right lol

@dustyntonks7388

😂

@dustyntonks7388

you missed the point methinks 😊😢😂

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