Meaning of "Try Not to Look So Pretty" by Dwight Yoakam

The song "Try Not to Look So Pretty" explores the theme of vulnerability and the power that beauty can hold over someone. The narrator admits to feeling weak and foolish in the presence of the subject's attractiveness. The repetition of the plea to not look so pretty reflects the narrator's desperation to resist their charm. The lines "You walk in and steal my mind, But who gave you the right" convey the sudden and overwhelming impact the subject has on the narrator's thoughts. The imagery of being treated like a "useless thought" that is discarded each night emphasizes the transitory nature of the relationship. The narrator acknowledges their own role in succumbing to the subject's allure, saying they will try not to be a fool. The instrumental break in the middle of the song serves as a moment of contemplation, allowing the listener to reflect on the intensity of the narrator's emotions. The closing lines reiterate the plea for the subject to not look so pretty, indicating that the struggle to resist their charm continues. Overall, the lyrics convey the internal struggle of trying to resist falling for someone's beauty while also acknowledging the futility of such resistance.