pretty isn't pretty – English Lyrics

• By: Olivia Rodrigo
• Album: GUTS

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw and relatable world of Olivia Rodrigo's "pretty isn't pretty," a poignant anthem for anyone navigating the pressures of appearance. This song offers an authentic vocabulary to discuss self-image, societal expectations, and the frustration of feeling 'never enough.' Its straightforward yet impactful lyrics make it an excellent tool for language learners to grasp contemporary emotional expressions and cultural commentary within modern pop music.

[English]

Bought a bunch of makeup, tryna cover up my face

I started to skip lunch, stopped eatin' cake on birthdays

I bought a new prescription to try and stay calm

'Cause there's always somethin' missin'

There's always somethin' in the mirror that I think looks wrong

When pretty isn't pretty enough, what do you do?

And everybody's keepin' it up, so you think it's you

I could change up my body and change up my face

I could try every lipstick in every shade

But I'd always feel the same

'Cause pretty isn't pretty enough anyway

...

You can win the battle, but you'll never win the war

You fix thе things you hated and you'd still feel so insecure

And I try to ignorе it, but it's everythin' I see

It's on the poster on the wall, it's in like every magazine

It's in my phone, it's in my head, it's in the boys I bring to bed

It's all around, it's all the time, I don't know why I even try

When pretty isn't pretty enough, what do you do?

And everybody's keepin' it up, so you think it's you

I could change up my body and change up my face

I could try every lipstick in every shade

But I'd always feel the same

'Cause pretty isn't pretty enough

And I bought all the clothes that they told me to buy

I chased some dumb ideal my entire life

And none of it matters and none of it ends

You just feel like shit over and over again

No, it'll never change

Pretty isn't pretty enough, mmm

Everybody's keepin' it up, oh

Pretty isn't pretty enough

Pretty isn't-

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
makeup /ˈmeɪkʌp/ A1	noun - cosmetics applied to the face
cover /ˈkʌvər/ A1	verb - to hide or conceal something
skip /skɪp/ A1	verb - to miss or omit something
prescription /prɪˈskrɪpʃən/ B1	noun - a written recommendation for medication
calm /kɑːm/ A2	adjective - peaceful and quiet
missing /ˈmɪsɪŋ/ A2	adjective - not present or lacking
mirror /ˈmɪrər/ A1	noun - a reflective surface
shade /ʃeɪd/ A2	noun - a slight variation in color
insecure /ˌɪnˈsɛkjʊr/ B1	adjective - lacking confidence or assurance
ignore /ɪɡˈnɔːr/ A2	verb - to disregard or pay no attention to
poster /ˈpoʊstər/ A1	noun - a large printed picture or notice
magazine /ˌmæɡəˈziːn/ A1	noun - a periodical publication
ideal /aɪˈdiːəl/ B1	adjective - perfect or most suitable
matter /ˈmætər/ A2	noun - a subject or situation under consideration verb - to be important or significant
chase /tʃeɪs/ A2	verb - to pursue or seek after
shit /ʃɪt/ B2	noun - a vulgar term for feces; used to express frustration