It\’s no secret that Beyoncé is one of the most talented, influential, and successful musicians of all time. With her unique voice and powerful lyrics, she has created some of the most memorable and powerful songs of the 21st century. One of her most popular and recognizable songs is \”Pretty Hurts,\” which was released in 2013. The song is an anthem for many, inspiring them to be comfortable in their own skin and to never succumb to society\’s standards of beauty. In this article, we will discuss the lyrics of the song and their meaning.

Pretty Hurts by Beyonce – The Lyrics

The song begins with the lines: \”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.\” These lines are a reflection of society\’s expectations of women and how they are often judged on their physical appearance.

The Pressure of Beauty Standards

The chorus of the song speaks to the pressure of beauty standards and the toll it can take on an individual. Beyoncé sings \”pretty hurts, shine the light on whatever\’s worse, perfection is the disease of a nation, 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.\” This speaks to the fact that society\’s standards of beauty can be damaging to an individual\’s mental health and self-worth. It can be difficult to accept oneself if one is constantly being told they are not good enough.

The Cost of Beauty

The lyrics of the song also touch on the cost of beauty. Beyoncé sings \”we shine the light on whatever\’s worse, tryna fix something but you can\’t fix what you can\’t see, beauty is pain, and there\’s nobody left to blame, we sacrifice our love and our sanity.\” This speaks to the fact that many people go to extreme lengths to adhere to society\’s beauty standards. They may spend large amounts of money on products and treatments that are unnecessary or unhealthy. They may also sacrifice their own mental health in the pursuit of perfection.

The Cycle of Insecurity

The song also speaks to the cycle of insecurity that many people feel when they do not measure up to society\’s standards. Beyoncé sings \”we try, we try, but we can\’t accept the way we are, so we keep on trying to make ourselves hard, and it\’s the soul that\’s supposed to be pretty, and it\’s the soul that\’s supposed to be free.\” This speaks to the idea that many people feel trapped in an endless cycle of insecurity and dissatisfaction. They may try to change themselves in order to fit into society\’s standards, but they are never truly satisfied.

The Power of Self-Acceptance

The song also speaks to the power of self-acceptance. Beyoncé sings \”pretty hurts, but we can be more than pretty, we can be free.\” This speaks to the idea that we can be more than just our physical appearance. We can be our own unique individual, who is confident and comfortable in their own skin. We can embrace our flaws and find the beauty within ourselves.

The Message of the Song

The overall message of the song is that society\’s standards of beauty can be damaging and oppressive, but there is power in self-acceptance and loving oneself. We should never succumb to the pressure of trying to fit into society\’s standards, but instead we should embrace our own unique beauty and find the confidence to be comfortable in our own skin.

Conclusion

Beyoncé\’s song \”Pretty Hurts\” is an anthem for many, inspiring them to be comfortable in their own skin and to never succumb to society\’s oppressive standards of beauty. The song speaks to the damaging effects of beauty standards, the cost of beauty, the cycle of insecurity, and the power of self-acceptance. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of loving and accepting oneself, no matter what society may say.