Unpretty

"Unpretty" originated from a poem of the same name written by TLC member Tionne "T-boz" Watkins, which dealt with a woman's struggle with her self-image. The poem also addressed the comparisons many people make between themselves and the sometimes unrealistic concepts of beauty, as it is commonly portrayed in the media. Upon reading the poem, TLC producer Dallas Austin helped Watkins adapt the poem into a song, which TLC recorded as an empowering song for their fan base to overcome feelings of physical inadequacy. Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas sing lead on the song, with backing vocals by Watkins and Debra Killings. A remixed version, sampling Dennis Edwards & Siedah Garrett's "Don't Look Any Further", was produced by JayDee of 1208Ent. & "Mad" Mike Lewin. Some versions of the remix feature a rap by TLC member Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes. "Unpretty" was later covered by La Musique Populaire for their 2004 boxed set A Century of Song.

[Produced by Dallas Austin] [Verse 1: T-Boz] I wish I could tie you up in my shoes Make you feel unpretty too I was told I was beautiful But what does that mean to you? Look into the mirror, who's inside there The one with the long hair Same old me again today, yeah [Pre-Chorus: Chilli] My outsides look cool My insides are blue Everytime I think I'm through It's because of you I try different ways But it's all the same At the end of the day I have myself to blame I'm just trippin' [Chorus] You can buy your hair if it won't grow You can fix your nose if he says so You can buy all the make-up That M.A.C. can make, but if You can't look inside you Find out who am I to Be in the position that make me feel So damn unpretty I'll make you feel unpretty too [Verse 2: T-Boz] Never insecure until I met you Now I'm bein' stupid I used to be so cute to me Just a little bit skinny Why do I look to all these things To keep you happy? Maybe get rid of you And then I'll get back to me, yeah [Pre-Chorus: Chilli] My outsides look cool My insides are blue Everytime I think I'm through It's because of you I try different ways But it's all the same At the end of the day I have myself to blame Can't believe I'm trippin' [Chorus] You can buy your hair if it won't grow You can fix your nose if he says so You can buy all the make-up That M.A.C. can make, but if You can't look inside you Find out who am I to Be in the position that make me feel So damn unpretty You can buy your hair if it won't grow You can fix your nose if he says so You can buy all the make-up That M.A.C. can make, but if You can't look inside you Find out who am I to Be in the position that make me feel So damn unpretty And make you feel unpretty too And make you feel unpretty (Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh) [Chorus] You can buy your hair if it won't grow You can fix your nose if he says so You can buy all the make-up That M.A.C. can make, but if You can't look inside you Find out who am I to Be in the position that make me feel So damn unpretty You can buy your hair if it won't grow (Hahahaha) You can buy all the make-up That M.A.C. can make, but if You can't look inside you Be in the position that make me feel so