This song is both about the loss of innocence and the possibility of re-gaining it. When the girl was young, she had her eyes set on heaven and on her dreams. But she soon bought into various kinds of lies which now cause her deep shame – both from her sin and others' betrayal. Nonetheless, she is n...
[verse]
You were once a sweet little girl
So innocent and pure
Your eyes were open and sure
Anyone could look right in
And I followed closely your gaze
You looked up towards the sky
I watched your face drift away
Other things had caught your eye
[Chorus]
Oh, the magazines and media supplied you with their plastic protocol
Oh, and maybe music television really is the devil after all
But all I can say is I knew you before, you were beautiful back then
Before you grew up, before you gave in
[verse]
And you dream of sharing your heart
Instead you share your bed
And your heart beats empty and cold
With all the tears you have shed
And you dream of baring your soul
Instead you bare more skin
And you wear dark glasses to keep
Anyone from looking in
[Chorus]
Oh, the magazines and media supplied you with their plastic protocol
Oh, and maybe music television really is the devil after all
But all I can say is I knew you before, you were beautiful back then
Before you grew up, before you gave in
[bridge]
And all you want is to hear the words
"Dear baby, I love you"
So you hike your skirt higher still
Till their eyes are all on you
You drive in fast foreign cars
The color of your sin
And you tint your windows to keep
Anyone from looking in
[Chorus]
Oh, and all I can say is I knew you before, you were beautiful back then
Before you grew up, before you gave in
And all I can say is I knew you before, you were beautiful back then
You could be beautiful again