“Pretty On The Inside” is Hole’s debut album’s title track. It explores the meaning of beauty from the point of view of a sex worker, someone who uses their body – their beauty – like a tool. It also analyzes sex work’s role in society and the psychological dynamics involved.
The sex work theme is...
[Verse 1]
Slut kiss girls
Won't you promise her smack?
Is she pretty on the inside?
Is she pretty from the back?
[Verse 2]
Slut kiss girl
Won't you water her rack?
Is she pretty on the inside, baby?
Pretty from the back?
[Verse 3]
Slut kiss girl
Molasses rot black strap
Is she ugly on the inside, baby?
Ugly, ugly from the back?
[Bridge]
There is no power
Like my pretty power
My pretty power
My ugly
[Verse 4]
Slut kiss girl
Won't you promise her smack?
Is she pretty on the inside?
Is she ugly? Ugly?
[Outro]
Ugly? Ugly?
Ugly? Ugly?
Ugly? Ugly?
Ugly? Ow!
Pretty on the Inside was written by Courtney Love & Eric Erlandson & Caroline Rue & Jill Emery.
Pretty on the Inside was produced by Don Fleming & Kim Gordon.
Hole released Pretty on the Inside on Tue Sep 17 1991.