About the song
Dwight Yoakam has always been more than just a country singer—he’s a storyteller, a stylistic innovator, and a torchbearer for honky-tonk heartbreak. In “Try Not To Look So Pretty,” one of the standout tracks from his 1993 album This Time, Yoakam taps into a mood that’s both lonesome and longing, delivering a performance that is quietly devastating in its emotional restraint.
At first glance, the title “Try Not To Look So Pretty” may seem playful, even ironic. But beneath that clever phrasing lies a bruised vulnerability. The song captures the ache of watching someone you love walk away—still beautiful, still magnetic—and knowing full well that their allure only deepens the wound. It’s not about bitterness or blame; it’s about the impossible task of detaching from someone whose very presence continues to haunt you.
Musically, the track is quintessential Yoakam—blending traditional Bakersfield-style country twang with a touch of melancholy sophistication. His signature telecaster guitar licks, mournful steel, and aching vocals create a sonic atmosphere that feels intimate and raw. Yoakam’s voice—at once weary and rich with nuance—conveys a sense of quiet pleading that’s deeply relatable for anyone who has loved and lost.
What sets this song apart is its restraint. Unlike other country ballads that might lean heavily into overt sorrow, “Try Not To Look So Pretty” simmers rather than explodes. The emotion is held back, as though the narrator is doing his best to maintain dignity in the face of inevitable heartache. That subtlety is what gives the song its lasting impact.
In the canon of Dwight Yoakam’s work, this track stands as a shining example of his ability to marry clever songwriting with genuine emotion. For longtime fans, it’s a gentle reminder of how country music can speak volumes with just a few perfectly placed lines and a haunting melody.
Video
Lyrics
Try not to look so prettyThe next time that we meetPlease don’t look so prettyAnd I won’t act so weakPlease don’t look so prettyYou’re lovely but it’s just cruelTry not to look so prettyAnd I’ll try not to be your foolYou walk in and steal my mindBut who gave you the rightTo treat me like some useless thoughtYou know away each nightPlease don’t look so prettyYou’re lovely but it’s just cruelTry not to look so prettyAnd I’ll try not to be your foolYou make it hard on meBut I’ll try to pretendThat you’re just a lovesick dreamThat always has to endPlease don’t look so prettyYou’re lovely but it’s just cruelTry not to look so prettyAnd I’ll try not to be your fool