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All the Pretty Girls Lyrics
All the pretty girls like Samuel
He really doesn't share
Though it's more than he can handle
Life is anything but fair, life is anything but fair
Just as soon as they turn over
Come and sweep them off their feet
It's only making me feel smaller
All the hidden love beneath
So won't you lay me
Won't you lay me down
Won't you lay me, won't you lay me down
All alone, alone again
No one lends a helping hand
I have waited, I have waited
Takes a toll, my foolish pride
How long before I see the light
I have waited, I have waited
For you
To lay me down
Sail on by
Sail on by for now
They play naked in the water
You know it's hard
Heaven knows I've tried
But it just keeps getting harder
So won't you lay me
Won't you lay me down
Won't you lay me, won't you lay me down
I'll wait, I'll wait, I'll wait, I'll wait for you
For you
For you to lay me down
He really doesn't share
Though it's more than he can handle
Life is anything but fair, life is anything but fair
Come and sweep them off their feet
It's only making me feel smaller
All the hidden love beneath
Won't you lay me down
Won't you lay me, won't you lay me down
No one lends a helping hand
I have waited, I have waited
Takes a toll, my foolish pride
How long before I see the light
I have waited, I have waited
For you
To lay me down
Sail on by for now
They play naked in the water
You know it's hard
Heaven knows I've tried
But it just keeps getting harder
Won't you lay me down
Won't you lay me, won't you lay me down
For you
For you to lay me down
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This song seems to appear in my opinion about a boy who seems to be in a terrible situation and thought having a girl in his life relinquish the dark with the light. However it seems that even he can't have that especially when he says "No one lends a helping hand I have waited, I have waited Takes it's toll, one's foolish pride How long before I see the light." So in the end lay me down could mean he wants to die after trying to find hope in his life only to watch it cause more internal conflict with other people like Samuel.
@OnceIwasADogi Good observation, from there it seems obvious to me that there's a double meaning intended as two definitions of "lay down" apply so well to the lyrics
@OnceIwasADogi Good observation, from there it seems obvious to me that there's a double meaning intended as two definitions of "lay down" apply so well to the lyrics
@OnceIwasADogi I also noticed this double meaning in the song. Either way, it is beautifully done
@OnceIwasADogi I also noticed this double meaning in the song. Either way, it is beautifully done
I did ramble a bit but i think you'll like my interpretation if you keep reading. I think there are a lot of interesting opinions but I wanted to comment on it because its such a pretty song. I tried to look up the meaning but I couldnt find an interpretion like mine so I thought I'd share, even a few years late.
I really don't agree with some of the comments about it being a song about misogyny. Thats very sad and at the risk of sounding rude, quite shallow. The words are being taken at face value in those comments. We know in poetry/ songs words hardly ever mean just their book definitions.
I think a lot of comments are coming from one perspective, 'a boy,' but if you read the lyrics as, 'a girl,' the interpretation becomes something a lot different and a lot more sad. I know from some of their other songs, they aren't written from their own perspectives.
Probably the most mentioned interpretation is unrequited love, which seems the most accurate. I think the song itself is written from a young women's perspective but can apply to anyone because its a theme in our young adult lives, or lives in general, yes? She's telling this story from the perspective of all the pretty girl's but also from her own perspective/ experience. I think the first few lines are the most important in interpreting then the rest becomes a bit more obvious when you're looking at it from the right angle. I do somewhat break it down line by line so it is a little long. Some verses also seem to convey a double meaning.
•"All the pretty girls like Samuel" (I do too, but I'm just one of the pretty girls)
•"Oh, he really doesn't share" (He doesnt really share--- a reciprocating love to all the girls/ me, because I'm just the same as them to you)- it seems like an unfinished sentence, hes just a boy dating, experimenting as a young man. What its not about, is a boy named samuel sharing his women?!? Come on
•"Though it's more than he can handle" (hes not on the same level to reciprocate the love back to any of the girls/me because he's just a boy having fun)- its a lot when you're in a relationship and one person is more in love than the other, hes not capable of handling their hearts with the same care
•"Life is anything but fair, life is anything but fair" (its not fair to all the pretty girls, but really.. its not fair to me) why? See prevous line
•"Just as soon as they turn older" •"He'll come and sweep them off their feet" (when all the pretty girls are older, ie. when we're ALL older and mature and gone, he'll finally find his 'one'....) they/them=her, refering to the singular
•"It's only making me feel smaller" (....and i know deep down, it won't be me, and it makes me feel small in your world)
•"All the hidden love beneath" (but i have all this love for you that i can't feel to the fullest because you don't love me back like that, we cant have this deeper love like i want)
•"So won't you lay me •Won't you lay me down •Won't you lay me, won't you lay me down" (I'll take what i can get here and now, in this moment) she knows its not forever, she doesnt own his heart the way he owns hers
•"All alone, alone again" •No one lends a helping hand" (Our time is over but I'm not over him like he's over me, all the reassuring words from friends and family// or trying to replace you with someone else, etc, doesnt help make my love for you go away) no one=nothing is helping
•"I have waited, I have waited" •"Takes a toll, my foolish pride" •"How long before I see the light" •"I have waited, I have waited" •"For you" •"To lay me down" (I watch you with all the other pretty girls (before and after,) its hard and i know im a fool, when will i ever get over you/ learn, Im still waiting for you to come back or just let me go for good)
•"Sail on by" •"Sail on by for now" •"They play naked in the water" •"You know it's hard" •"Heaven knows I've tried" •"But it just keeps getting harder" (So go ahead and have your fun with them, with me, I'm still not over you, but its getting harder everytime) "heaven knows I've tried, but it just keeps getting harder"- to get over him? To stop going back to him? Both?
I think the repeating 'lay me down' verses can refer to different moments in time. To me it seems like she keeps falling, getting her moments in between his time with the other girls but she cant stop because... love makes us do stupid things, right? I think some of the previous lines help imply that (all alone again, keeps getting harder, etc.) And if we're keeping in line with that theory it can also be asking 'when will you finally let me go.' Lay me down= ending things, being done.
Also it may be a bit of a reach but he sings most of the song in falsetto but there is a part at the end, the chorus isnt. It gives a vibe of a duet. It reinforces how you can switch perspectives to anyone in general. (But again the song itself is from the perspective of a young women.) Its a common experience, the story of our lives amiright?
@TheWhiz @Lyrael @cutewhensedated @D3vinebyD3sign @GenocidalGerbi just wanted to share my opinion with people who commented the most. I know its been nearly a decade, sheeez. I really dont think its a boys perspective but i could be wrong.
@TheWhiz @Lyrael @cutewhensedated @D3vinebyD3sign @GenocidalGerbi just wanted to share my opinion with people who commented the most. I know its been nearly a decade, sheeez. I really dont think its a boys perspective but i could be wrong.
I am pretty sure the singer is singing this song to Samuel. He wants Samuel to lay him down. It seems to me its a coming of age song.
Virginity. The struggles of a male saving himself, and more so, falling in love with someone that he can't have - or is not yet ready to have him and requires experiencing someone else first.
I find it shocking that no one else on the internet is talking about how obviously misogynistic this song is. This guy is upset that Samuel gets all the girls and he literally won’t share, like the girls are items and Samuel won’t let him have any. Its not about wanting a specific girl, it’s about feeling entitled to women and being angry they all like the hottie, Samuel. Or in other words, all the girls like the good looking guys. He wants a girl, any girl – but preferably a “pretty” one. Boo Hoo. It’s the incel anthem. And yea, I hope it’s tongue-in-cheek. I love this song, but the lyrics make me cringe.
@Lyrael I've read all the comments here about this song. First a few things to note. They're a band from Iceland, and they speak Icelandic. They may have not been aware of how some, narrow minded, overly PC, high on them self and of their own opinions, individual may interrupted their song. Art often draws inspiration from moments of passion and feelings and by dragging your PC bullsh!t into it, you, cutewhensedated,& peach143g seem to be trying to instill something dark and ugly on what was meant to be beautiful. Misogynistic?!? Song sound like to me a boy who is...
@Lyrael I've read all the comments here about this song. First a few things to note. They're a band from Iceland, and they speak Icelandic. They may have not been aware of how some, narrow minded, overly PC, high on them self and of their own opinions, individual may interrupted their song. Art often draws inspiration from moments of passion and feelings and by dragging your PC bullsh!t into it, you, cutewhensedated,& peach143g seem to be trying to instill something dark and ugly on what was meant to be beautiful. Misogynistic?!? Song sound like to me a boy who is just letting his feelings out about life and how it makes him feel. Maybe that's where your issue began with this song. Its from a BOY's perspective, going through HIS personal stuggle, and dealing with HIS feelings. However, maybe in "your little bubble" of the world you've never tried to place yourself in the perspective of a BOY and heaven forbid if his perspective isn't PC enough for you. I mean after all, instead of being more compassionate and understanding which takes some effort and investment, I'm sure it's easier for you to just tag a label on it. Which probably has something to do with the fact that you're time is too valuable to waste on others with differing views. It's easier to follow the flock, than find your own path.
@D3vinebyD3sign Unfortunately many people, including yourself, don't understand what PC means. I interpreted the lyrics and gave my opinion, that's all. That's not what PC mean. I'm against PC. And I'm aware they're Icelandic as I think most people are. We interpreted the lyrics and I'm sorry if you find that so upsetting. You may want to ask yourself why you find someone else's interpretation so angering. Perhaps there's an underlying issue there. The song is beautiful and perhaps had other intentions but the lyrics come across as someone who is angry...
@D3vinebyD3sign Unfortunately many people, including yourself, don't understand what PC means. I interpreted the lyrics and gave my opinion, that's all. That's not what PC mean. I'm against PC. And I'm aware they're Icelandic as I think most people are. We interpreted the lyrics and I'm sorry if you find that so upsetting. You may want to ask yourself why you find someone else's interpretation so angering. Perhaps there's an underlying issue there. The song is beautiful and perhaps had other intentions but the lyrics come across as someone who is angry that the popular men won't share the ladies. It's literally right there in the lyrics. You can disagree and perhaps the intention of the artists was different but that's my interpretation. People have different opinions. You need to accept this or you're really going to have a hard time in life. And who said I'm not a boy?
@Lyrael I suppose I should clarify what I mean better. You stated the song was "obviously misogynistic".
@Lyrael I suppose I should clarify what I mean better. You stated the song was "obviously misogynistic".
Misogynistic definition: strongly prejudiced against women.
Misogynistic definition: strongly prejudiced against women.
Prejudiced definition: having or showing a dislike or distrust that is derived from prejudice
Prejudiced definition: having or showing a dislike or distrust that is derived from prejudice
I won't continue with the definitions, but I fail to see how the song shows any prejudice against women. To the point of opinions, Your original post didn't come off as an "opinion" , IMO and sounded more like a statement. For example "it’s about feeling entitled to women and being angry they all like the hottie, Samuel." Again, made like a...
I won't continue with the definitions, but I fail to see how the song shows any prejudice against women. To the point of opinions, Your original post didn't come off as an "opinion" , IMO and sounded more like a statement. For example "it’s about feeling entitled to women and being angry they all like the hottie, Samuel." Again, made like a statement. My point about being PC "Politically Correct" is that some ppl want the whole world to be like that so something doesn't offend them or hurt their feelings. You can't make true, honest art and try to be PC at the same time. Art is subjective and that is why PC doesn't fit into it. However, in today's society words like "misogynistic, feminist, and bigotry" are thrown around so much, and 50% of the time or more it's misused within the context it is being placed. It also ends up losing it's effect due to over use. Whether your issue did or didn't have to do with it being from a BOY's perspective and whether you yourself are a boy or a girl doesn't really matter and isn't my point. While everyone may be entitled to their opinion,f you're going to share it, try to do so intelligently or you risk end up sounding like a outspoken pompous ass. Also, you doesn't necessarily mean "you" it is meant as generally speaking
@D3vinebyD3sign Misogyny is the hatred, dislike of or prejudice towards women, if you want to bring out the dictionary. So yeah, it works. But really, some advice.. Bringing out the dictionary during an "argument" is a sign you're lost for ideas. And honestly, you discredit yourself by getting so angry, personal and rude over some random person’s opinion about the meaning of a random song. The more you try to insult someone you disagree with, the more you show you really don’t have anything else to say. You have some serious growing up to do if you get...
@D3vinebyD3sign Misogyny is the hatred, dislike of or prejudice towards women, if you want to bring out the dictionary. So yeah, it works. But really, some advice.. Bringing out the dictionary during an "argument" is a sign you're lost for ideas. And honestly, you discredit yourself by getting so angry, personal and rude over some random person’s opinion about the meaning of a random song. The more you try to insult someone you disagree with, the more you show you really don’t have anything else to say. You have some serious growing up to do if you get offended by something so small. Get over it.
Seriously dude, go post on a forum about political correctness if it bothers you so much.
@Lyrael Youre using misogynistic wrong, this song clearly isnt that, you're interpteing the lyrics too literally. Its clearly about loneliness and the guy not feeling like theyre desirable, something both boys and girls go through. Then you backtrack and insult the commentor that replied to your quite silly interpretation, getting defensive and trying to make the replier look like the one that needs to grow up? :/. Don't be so unkind.
@Lyrael Youre using misogynistic wrong, this song clearly isnt that, you're interpteing the lyrics too literally. Its clearly about loneliness and the guy not feeling like theyre desirable, something both boys and girls go through. Then you backtrack and insult the commentor that replied to your quite silly interpretation, getting defensive and trying to make the replier look like the one that needs to grow up? :/. Don't be so unkind.
@doolally10 Song interpretations are subjective. You don't have to agree. In fact, it would be strange if everyone agreed. Honestly, my interpretation is a pretty good one. That might not be what the song writer meant by it but it's easy to see it could be. Not to say I know what the song writer was thinking, but there are as many songs about bad or sad things as there are about happy things. You can disagree with my interpretation but if you can't see why someone may come to that conclusion, given the lyrics, then I suspect...
@doolally10 Song interpretations are subjective. You don't have to agree. In fact, it would be strange if everyone agreed. Honestly, my interpretation is a pretty good one. That might not be what the song writer meant by it but it's easy to see it could be. Not to say I know what the song writer was thinking, but there are as many songs about bad or sad things as there are about happy things. You can disagree with my interpretation but if you can't see why someone may come to that conclusion, given the lyrics, then I suspect maybe bias is at play. With the warmest regards.
Telling someone they misunderstood a word isn't "unkind" or "insulting". There was nothing insulting about what I said. He was free to disagree, and I was free to disagree with him. He was the one who was going on about my "PC bullsh!t" and my "little bubble". He got angry, personal, and wanted a fight. All I did was tell him he was incorrect about the meaning of the word PC. Actually, reading back, I was very civil and kind to him, considering he wanted a yelling match. I don't know what to tell you. Disagreement isn't unkind.
I may be way off, and I apologize if I am, but I suspect you may be the same person. Just a thought.
@Lyrael Ew, a Karen.
@Lyrael Ew, a Karen.
@Lyrael lmaoooo you just described my ex down to a T… and this is his favourite song.
@Lyrael lmaoooo you just described my ex down to a T… and this is his favourite song.
To my ex: GT if you’re reading this the reason why you can’t keep a relationship past 12 months is because you’re an asshole. It’s not that your friends gets all the girls, it’s because you’re an entitled piece of shit.
To my ex: GT if you’re reading this the reason why you can’t keep a relationship past 12 months is because you’re an asshole. It’s not that your friends gets all the girls, it’s because you’re an entitled piece of shit.
This song, to me, is about a lonely guy who has a lot of love to give but no girl gives him a chance because there are hotter, taller, wealthier guys. He watches as his love interests are swept off their feet by other "Samuels" while he has no one to go through life with. He does not feel like life is worth living alone so he\'d rather just lay down and die as he gives up hope of finding someone to love him and who lets him give all that love he has.
This song screams misogyny. I don't know if they're being tongue-in-cheek or not, but I hope so.
@cutewhensedated I think it is more of a song for guys who have been the "nice guys finish last" guys. Like being friendzoned by a girl you love while she is in love with the stereotypical douche bag who treats are bad. I related to it and think it is a great song.
@cutewhensedated I think it is more of a song for guys who have been the "nice guys finish last" guys. Like being friendzoned by a girl you love while she is in love with the stereotypical douche bag who treats are bad. I related to it and think it is a great song.
@cutewhensedated The song isn't misogynistic! The narrator is alone and possibly dealing with the pains of unrequited love ("It's only making me feel smaller All the hidden love beneath") or he at least yearns to be loved. This is juxtaposed by the promiscuous Samuel character and his string of female admirers. I'm not convinced Samuel's character is necessarily misogynistic either, just promiscuous, but even if he were the song kind of critiques him so that would make the song a condemnation on misogyny anyway. Its not tongue in cheek and its not misogyny, this song is just a lot deeper than...
@cutewhensedated The song isn't misogynistic! The narrator is alone and possibly dealing with the pains of unrequited love ("It's only making me feel smaller All the hidden love beneath") or he at least yearns to be loved. This is juxtaposed by the promiscuous Samuel character and his string of female admirers. I'm not convinced Samuel's character is necessarily misogynistic either, just promiscuous, but even if he were the song kind of critiques him so that would make the song a condemnation on misogyny anyway. Its not tongue in cheek and its not misogyny, this song is just a lot deeper than you're giving it credit
@cutewhensedated what makes you think Samuel is promiscuous? He's cute and the girls love him. Very typical of young girls. I don't see anything making him a douche bag. I think both of you guys are throwing in your own jealousy or resentment towards the guy all the girls like. Perhaps it brings up pain and resentment from your youth.
@cutewhensedated what makes you think Samuel is promiscuous? He's cute and the girls love him. Very typical of young girls. I don't see anything making him a douche bag. I think both of you guys are throwing in your own jealousy or resentment towards the guy all the girls like. Perhaps it brings up pain and resentment from your youth.
@Peach143g I never anything about Samuel being promiscuous, a douchebag or any other thing and it certainly doesn't bring up any pain or resentment from my youth. It just seems misogynistic to talk about how it's not fair that all the pretty girls like Samuel and he won't share them, even though he has more than he can handle - girls aren't objects to be passed to someone else because the person they're interested in has more than his fair share of women. It's kind of gross, to be honest.
@Peach143g I never anything about Samuel being promiscuous, a douchebag or any other thing and it certainly doesn't bring up any pain or resentment from my youth. It just seems misogynistic to talk about how it's not fair that all the pretty girls like Samuel and he won't share them, even though he has more than he can handle - girls aren't objects to be passed to someone else because the person they're interested in has more than his fair share of women. It's kind of gross, to be honest.
@cutewhensedated @cutewhensedated OMG dear. The song reflects a feeling, not a criticism. You're assigning PC to feelings here. It's clear to the speaker that there is nothing wrong with all the pretty girls and Samuel, but he just wish to be admired like him for once, to be with even one of them girls. Not as in rape, but in a mutual will. He speaks about his will to fulfill real love; he has been waiting for a long time now for anyone that will share his passion.
@cutewhensedated @cutewhensedated OMG dear. The song reflects a feeling, not a criticism. You're assigning PC to feelings here. It's clear to the speaker that there is nothing wrong with all the pretty girls and Samuel, but he just wish to be admired like him for once, to be with even one of them girls. Not as in rape, but in a mutual will. He speaks about his will to fulfill real love; he has been waiting for a long time now for anyone that will share his passion.
@cutewhensedated You nailed it. It's surprising how few people see this, but it really does scream misogyny.
@cutewhensedated You nailed it. It's surprising how few people see this, but it really does scream misogyny.
@Lyrael Thank you! I liked the song a lot and was a bit grossed out when I read the lyrics. Also, @Broksan, if you think you're being "friend zoned" because you're a nice guy, then you're not a nice guy. Women have the right to choose to be with whomever they choose to be with, regardless of what you think of their choice in men. It's not your right to decide they should be with you because you're "in love" with them. If you really loved someone you'd know that love isn't about possession.
@Lyrael Thank you! I liked the song a lot and was a bit grossed out when I read the lyrics. Also, @Broksan, if you think you're being "friend zoned" because you're a nice guy, then you're not a nice guy. Women have the right to choose to be with whomever they choose to be with, regardless of what you think of their choice in men. It's not your right to decide they should be with you because you're "in love" with them. If you really loved someone you'd know that love isn't about possession.
@cutewhensedated I agree with @wisefool981and @moonSt0n3. It was written the way it was and is a beautiful song. How you read into it only spins your perspective on the world around you. I fear for my two sons as they get older in this country where ppl are too caught up on PC BS and can't say what they want or let there feelings out b/c of ppl who try to label something in a negative light b/c they interrupted it so. FFS.
@cutewhensedated I agree with @wisefool981and @moonSt0n3. It was written the way it was and is a beautiful song. How you read into it only spins your perspective on the world around you. I fear for my two sons as they get older in this country where ppl are too caught up on PC BS and can't say what they want or let there feelings out b/c of ppl who try to label something in a negative light b/c they interrupted it so. FFS.
@cutewhensedated The Karens come out of the woodwork for this song. lol
@cutewhensedated The Karens come out of the woodwork for this song. lol
@cutewhensedated The Karens come out of the woodwork for this song. lol \r\nApparently, a guy can\'t sing about unrequited love without being misogynistic (which most people who say, don\'t actually understand the meaning of).
@cutewhensedated The Karens come out of the woodwork for this song. lol \r\nApparently, a guy can\'t sing about unrequited love without being misogynistic (which most people who say, don\'t actually understand the meaning of).
@cutewhensedated this is my ex’s favourite song and he is an entitled misogynist. So you’re correct.
@cutewhensedated this is my ex’s favourite song and he is an entitled misogynist. So you’re correct.