Beyoncé
Pretty Hurts lyrics
- Language
- English
- Level
- Intermediate
- Released
- 2013
- Genre
- Pop
- Length
- 4:18
"Ms. Third Ward, your first question
What is your aspiration in life?"
"Oh, my aspiration in life would be
To be happy"
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
We shine the light on whatever's worst
Perfection is a disease of a nation
Pretty hurts, pretty hurts
Pretty hurts
We shine the light on whatever's worst
You're tryna fix something
But you can't fix what you can't see
It's the soul that needs a surgery
Blonder hair, flat chest
TV says, "bigger is better"
South 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
We shine the light on whatever's worst
Perfection is a disease of a nation
Pretty hurts, pretty hurts (Pretty hurts)
Pretty hurts (Pretty hurts)
We shine the light on whatever's worst
You're tryna fix something
But you can't fix what you can't see
It's the soul that needs a surgery
Ain't got no doctor, or pill that can take the pain away
The pain's inside, and nobody frees you from your body
It's the soul, it's the soul that needs surgery
It's my soul that needs surgery
Plastic smiles and denial can only take you so far
Then you break when the fake facade leaves you in the dark
You left with shattered mirrors
And the shards of a beautiful past
Pretty hurts (Pretty hurts, pretty hurts)
We shine the light on whatever's worst (Pretty hurts)
Perfection is a disease of a nation
Pretty hurts, pretty hurts (Pretty hurts)
Pretty hurts (Pretty hurts)
We shine the light on whatever's worst
You're tryna fix something
But you can't fix what you can't see (Pretty hurts)
It's the soul that needs a surgery
When you're alone all by yourself
When you're lying in your bed
Reflection stares right into you
Are you happy with yourself?
Stripped away the masquerade
The illusion has been shed
Are you happy with yourself?
Are you happy with yourself?
Yeah, yes
Ah, ah
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Key vocabulary
- another
- one moreA1
- away
- not here; elsewhereA1
- beach
- sand by the seaA1
- better
- more good; improvedA1
- body
- physical personA1
- break
- stop working or break apartA1
- doctor
- medical professionalA1
- down
- not up; sadA1
- far
- at a long distanceA1
- first
- at the beginningA1
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About this song
Beyoncé Knowles is an American singer and songwriter who works across pop, R&B, hip-hop, and dance music, recognized for shaping Black cultural themes through her albums and high-profile performances. She first rose to prominence with Destiny’s Child before becoming a solo artist known for records including Lemonade, RENAISSANCE, and Cowboy Carter.