Pretty by The Weeknd Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Complex Layers of Love and Absence
Lyrics
Into your arms
Said you fucked another man, finally
I knew this day would come, woah oh, oh
‘Cause I see fear in your eyes
You’ve been living out your life
As long as you know that when I land you’re mine (mhm, mhm)
It’s been exactly three sixty-five since I’ve seen your face (あったかいね)
I’ve been living on the road
And you’ve been living all alone, at home
Girl I hope
He made you satisfied (気持ちいい)
Well, baby I won’t cry
As long as you know that when I land you’re mine
And you will never feel so pretty
And you will never feel this beautiful
When I make it there
Oh, when I make it there
There are certain things that I’ve come to understand (ah, ooh)
Expectations can kill a simple man, simple woman woah oh
I try to master the art
Of that far away love
But only so much can keep a woman warm
(Warm, ooh)
Now it’s times like this that I say to myself
(Say to myself)
We’ve been living in a cold, cold world
Cold world
But at least I have you to rely (気持ちいい)
Even if for a short time (うん 気持ちいい)
As long as you know when I land you’re mine
And you will never feel so pretty
And you will never feel this beautiful
Oh, when I make it there
Oh, when I make it there
And he can’t make you feel this pretty
No, he won’t make you feel this beautiful
When I make it there
Oh, when I make it there
Ah (no, no-no)
Ah (no, no-no)
Ah (no, no, no, no, no)
Ah (oh oh oh ah)
Ooh (hoo, hoo, hoo)
Ooh (hoo, hoo, hoo)
Ooh (oh babe) (oh, oh)
Ooh, oh
Ooh, oh
Ooh, oh, oh
And you will never feel so pretty (pretty)
And you will never feel this beautiful (beautiful, oh)
When I make it there (when I make it there)
Oh when I make it there (hey)
And he can’t make you feel this pretty (pretty)
No he won’t make you feel this beautiful (beautiful) (hoo, hoo, hoo)
When I make it there (when I make it there baby) (oh baby)
Oh, when I make it there (hoo, hoo, hoo)
And you will never feel so pretty (pretty) (oh babe, no you won’t)
And you will never feel this beautiful (beautiful) (hoo, hoo, hoo, eh)
When I make it there (when I make it there) (hey)
Oh, when I make it there
And he can’t make you feel this pretty (baby)
And he won’t make you feel this beautiful (oh babe)
When I make it there (when I make it there) (hey)
When I make it there
When I make it there
Quand une putain de colombe blanche chante sa chanson
C’est tout ce qu’on entend
Les jours se défilent comme de la ficelle dans le vent
Embobiné dans ma toile, je les dévoile à nouveaux
Dix ans mon ami, que ne rien d’autre compte
Elle n’était qu’une gamine à ce moment
Souffrant d’un cœur brisé
Une douleur très profonde
C’est là où je l’ai aperçue
Seule, prête à entamer ses 17 ans
In a sweeping sonic odyssey, The Weeknd’s ‘Pretty’ captures the rawest human emotions that intertwine with the complexity of a love that lingers amidst absence. With its haunting lyrics and seductive melodies, it tears at the fabric of an imperfect relationship held together by the thin threads of desire and possession.
The Weeknd, known for his masterful storytelling through his dark, ethereal soundscapes, presents a narrative rich with introspection and stark vulnerability. The song’s lyrical journey takes listeners through a chasm of yearning, the poison of betrayal, and the possessiveness rooted in deep-seated insecurity.
The Visceral Encounter: An Exploration of Lyrics
The opening lines set the stage for a deeply personal reckoning. ‘Somebody told me it was pointless for me to come back into your arms’ immediately submerges us in the protagonist’s inner turmoil—a love rendered futile in the eyes of others. Yet, despite the betrayal (‘Said you fucked another man, finally’), there is an unmistaken claim of ownership (‘As long as you know that when I land you’re mine’), suggesting a paradox of knowing and losing.
‘It’s been exactly three sixty-five since I’ve seen your face’ speaks to the stretches of time and distance that have strained the relationship, amplifying the ache of separation. The protagonist lives ‘on the road,’ while his lover remains in stasis ‘at home,’ setting the stage for a tempestuous reunion.
Possession Versus Passion: Unpacking the Chorus
The chorus of ‘Pretty’ envelops the listener in a dichotomy of destruction and devotion. By repeating ‘And you will never feel so pretty, and you will never feel this beautiful,’ The Weeknd not only claims dominion over his lover’s sense of beauty but also echoes an underlying intention to make her reliant on his presence for self-validation.
In these lines, the song portrays a twisted perception of love where the protagonist’s ego hinges upon being the sole source of the other’s happiness and self-worth. It is a stark reminder of how adoration can swiftly slip into an unhealthy possessiveness.
Love in a ‘Cold, Cold World’: The Weeknd’s Emotional Landscape
‘We’ve been living in a cold, cold world’ captures the bleakness that contaminates their love—a sentiment often echoed in The Weeknd’s music. Yet, amidst the chill of metaphorical winter, the protagonist clings to the fleeting warmth provided by an ephemeral connection (‘Even if for a short time’).
This fleeting warmth seems to be satisfactory, as long as the protagonist gets to reclaim what he believes to be rightfully his upon his return. The song, then, is a complex dialogue between the desperate need for intimacy and the harrowing grip of possessiveness.
The Unspoken Lament: Reading Between the Lyrics
‘Pretty’ is a narrative brimming with unspoken words and concealed emotions. When The Weeknd sings ‘As long as you know when I land you’re mine,’ there is an unvoiced realization of the ephemeral nature of the relationship. The repeated assurance suggests a deep insecurity, one that cannot be mollified by mere words and grand declarations.
This insecurity is further exacerbated by the comparison with the other man. The Weeknd is adamant ‘he can’t make you feel this pretty… this beautiful,’ indicating a rivalry that exists perhaps more in the protagonist’s head than in reality. It’s a battle for significance in a lover’s past and present.
Memorable Lines: The Lingering Echoes of ‘Pretty’
Among the most poignant lyrics comes towards the end, where a mixture of French poetry and reflections casts a different light on the narrative. ‘Quand une putain de colombe blanche chante sa chanson, c’est tout ce qu’on entend’ which translates to ‘When a damn white dove sings its song, it’s all that we hear,’ evokes a sense of mourning—an elegy for lost innocence and the somber acceptance of reality.
The dovetailing of French with English, the weaving of dark with light, the complex interplay of ownership with love—all create a resonance that transcends the music and becomes a part of the listener’s own emotional fabric. ‘Pretty’ is thus not just a song but a journey into the heart of a haunted romance.
