Pretty Hurts
Beyoncé · Beyoncé [2013]
Mama said, you're a pretty girl
What's in your head it doesn't matter
Brush your hair, fix your teeth
What you wear is all that matters
Just another stage
Pageant the pain away
This time I'm gonna take the crown
Without falling down, down down
Pretty hurts
Shine the light on whatever's worse
Perfection is the disease of a nation
Pretty hurts, Pretty hurts
Pretty hurts
Shine the light on whatever's worse
Tryna fix something
But you can't fix what you can't see
It's the soul that needs the surgery
Huh Uh Uh
Blonder hair, flat chest
Tv says, bigger is better
Soft beach, sugar free
Vogue says, thinner is better
Just another stage
Pageant the pain away
This time I'm gonna take the crown
Without falling down, down down
Pretty hurts
Shine the light on whatever's worse
Perfection is the disease of a nation
Pretty hurts, Pretty hurts
Pretty hurts
Shine the light on whatever's worse
Tryna fix something
But you can't fix what you can't see
It's the soul that needs the surgery
Ain't got no doctor or pill
That can take the pain away
The pain's inside
Ain't nobody frees you from nobody
It's the soul It's the soul
That needs surgery
It's my soul that needs surgery
Plastic smiles and denials can only take you so far
Then you break when the fake fascade leaves you in the dark
You look at shattered mirrors
In the shards of a beautiful past
Pretty hurts
Shine the light on whatever's worse
Perfection is the disease of a nation
Pretty hurts, pretty hurts
Pretty hurts
Shine the light on whatever's worse
Tryna fix something
But you can't fix what you can't see
It's the soul that needs the surgery
When you're alone all by yourself
And you're lying in your bed
Perfection stares right into you
Are you happy with yourself?
Strip away the masqarade
The illusion has been shed
Are you happy with yourself?
Are you happy with yourself?
Yey Yes
Huh Uh Uh
Pretty Hurts
Released on Beyoncé's 2013 self-titled album, 'Pretty Hurts' stands as a standout track from her solo career, blending R&B and pop sensibilities with a distinct vocal performance. The song explores themes of self-worth and the complexities of beauty, delivered with a confident tone that reflects her artistic evolution during this period. Its production features a polished, modern sound characteristic of early 2010s pop, yet it retains the emotional depth and lyrical precision for which she is renowned. As a key component of her discography, the recording showcases her ability to navigate personal narratives within a mainstream framework, earning critical acclaim and solidifying her status as a leading figure in contemporary music.