Music Review: TLC "Unpretty"
TLC
from 
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JoeUser Forums
Unpretty
Album: Fanmail
Year: 1999
TLC suffer from low self-esteem in the patronizing "Unpretty."
Slushy strings open the single, setting a schoolgirlish tone. T-Boz says she says she still feels like an adolescent girl. People compliment her and tell her she's a pretty woman. However, she doesn't believe it. When she looks in the mirror, she sees pimples on her face and stringy hair. She doesn't like her appearance.
In the pre-chorus, Chili says she's ugly. She's wearing designer clothes and tons of makeup. However, it's just a cover-up. She tears her looks down all the time. She's her own worst enemy.
In the chorus, TLC say a beautiful appearance can be bought. Weaves exist to make women's hair longer and fuller. Plastic surgeons can shave off the tip of the nose to make it be petite. Make up is used to make lips be a luscious red. However, they note that women need to realize they don't all those products. They are beautiful inside. However, they resent being put in a position of feeling inadequate.
In the second verse, T-Boz mentions that her boyfriend makes her feel that she lacks something. She says she's downplaying her intelligence and changing herself so he will like her more. Before, she liked that she was slender. But now, she feels fat. She wonders why she is depending on him for her self-confidence. She thinks that she has to break up with him and concentrate on liking herself for a while.
The pre-chorus is sung again.
The chorus is sung twice.
In the bridge, Chili and T-Boz "oh oh oh" for about 30 seconds.
The chorus is sung twice to close the single.
T-Boz and Chili pander to 'tweens and come across as disingenious as a result. First, they set up their image in previous album as "Crazysexycool." It meant they were assertive, sensual and were spontaneous. They weren't going to back down for anybody. They were in control. "Unpretty" has them being the opposite: passive, uncertain, and scared. It's an image that doesn't suit them.
T-Boz's vocals are awkward and pointed. She struggles to emote misery. However, she's end up being biting instead. Chili, on the other hand, is self-assured. There's not even a hint of heartache in her voice.
"Unpretty" is lackluster and unbelievable. It's yet another vapid social message song that lectures.
Album: Fanmail
Year: 1999
TLC suffer from low self-esteem in the patronizing "Unpretty."
Slushy strings open the single, setting a schoolgirlish tone. T-Boz says she says she still feels like an adolescent girl. People compliment her and tell her she's a pretty woman. However, she doesn't believe it. When she looks in the mirror, she sees pimples on her face and stringy hair. She doesn't like her appearance.
"I wish 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)."
In the pre-chorus, Chili says she's ugly. She's wearing designer clothes and tons of makeup. However, it's just a cover-up. She tears her looks down all the time. She's her own worst enemy.
"My outsides look cool/My insides are blue/Everytime I think I'm through/It's because of you
I've tried different ways/But it's all the same/At the end of the day/I have myself to blame/I'm just trippin'."
In the chorus, TLC say a beautiful appearance can be bought. Weaves exist to make women's hair longer and fuller. Plastic surgeons can shave off the tip of the nose to make it be petite. Make up is used to make lips be a luscious red. However, they note that women need to realize they don't all those products. They are beautiful inside. However, they resent being put in a position of feeling inadequate.
"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 man can make/But if you can't look inside you/Find out who am I too/Be in the position to make me feel/So damn unpretty/I'll make you feel unpretty too."
In the second verse, T-Boz mentions that her boyfriend makes her feel that she lacks something. She says she's downplaying her intelligence and changing herself so he will like her more. Before, she liked that she was slender. But now, she feels fat. She wonders why she is depending on him for her self-confidence. She thinks that she has to break up with him and concentrate on liking herself for a while.
"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 youAnd then I'll get back to me (hey)."
The pre-chorus is sung again.
The chorus is sung twice.
In the bridge, Chili and T-Boz "oh oh oh" for about 30 seconds.
The chorus is sung twice to close the single.
T-Boz and Chili pander to 'tweens and come across as disingenious as a result. First, they set up their image in previous album as "Crazysexycool." It meant they were assertive, sensual and were spontaneous. They weren't going to back down for anybody. They were in control. "Unpretty" has them being the opposite: passive, uncertain, and scared. It's an image that doesn't suit them.
T-Boz's vocals are awkward and pointed. She struggles to emote misery. However, she's end up being biting instead. Chili, on the other hand, is self-assured. There's not even a hint of heartache in her voice.
"Unpretty" is lackluster and unbelievable. It's yet another vapid social message song that lectures.