Pretty One
Love's Resilience: Reflections on Heartbreak and Time in Roy Orbison's 'Pretty One'
Lyrics
Hey there, pretty one
Addressing someone as an attractive person.
Take a look at what you've done
Reflecting on the impact of the person's actions.
You've broken my heart in two
Expressing emotional pain due to a broken heart.
You told a hundred lies
Accusing the person of dishonesty with numerous others.
To as many other guys
Highlighting a pattern of deception towards multiple individuals.
Oh lovely, unfaithful pretty one
Combining admiration with disappointment for the unfaithful person.
Someday,when you're older
Looking ahead to the person's future when consequences may unfold.
And your future has past
Emphasizing the inevitable passage of time.
You will find that your beauty
Noting that external beauty diminishes with age.
And loveliness won't last
Commenting on the transience of physical attractiveness.
When the traces of time
Referring to visible signs of aging and experience.
Show in every line
Stating a continued affection despite the effects of time.
Remember I still love you
Reiterating love for the person despite changes.
Pretty one, pretty one, pretty one
Affirming affection with repetition.
Hey, there pretty one
Repeating the initial address to the person.
Take a look at what you've done
Reiterating the impact of the person's actions.
You've broken my heart in two
Expressing ongoing emotional pain.
You told a hundred lies
Reemphasizing the person's deceitful behavior.
To as many guys
Repeating the pattern of dishonesty towards others.
Oh lovely, unfaithful pretty one
Expressing mixed feelings of love and betrayal.
Someday, when you're older
Projecting into the future to highlight the consequences.
And you future has passed
Reiterating the inevitability of time passing.
You will find that your beauty
Restating the transient nature of external beauty.
And your loveliness won't last
Affirming the fleeting quality of loveliness.
When the traces of time
Referring again to visible signs of aging.
Show in every line
Stating a persistent emotional connection despite changes.
Remember I still love you
Reiterating love for the person despite the effects of time.
Pretty one, pretty one, pretty one
Affirming affection with repetition.
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