I Want Things to Be Beautiful

Devi McCallion's song "I Want Things to Be Beautiful" is a poignant exploration of the longing for beauty and hope in a world that often feels bleak and unchanging. The repetition of the desire for beauty underscores a deep yearning for something more than the mundane or the painful realities that the narrator faces. The lyrics suggest a sense of forgotten beauty, as if the narrator once knew a world where beauty was possible but has since lost sight of it. This loss of hope is palpable, yet there is a flicker of possibility that things could change, that beauty could once again be an option.

The song delves into the struggle between hope and resignation. The narrator grapples with the idea that change might not only be possible but necessary, even if it comes with risks. The line "It might not survive the change, but it could survive the change" reflects the uncertainty and fear that accompany transformation. This duality is further emphasized by the imagery of "one thousandth prison in my eyes," suggesting a personal entrapment that the narrator is trying to escape. The mention of "lonely deaths" and "wasted bodies" paints a picture of a world where despair is common, yet the narrator persists, driven by a need to push forward despite the odds.

The recurring motif of money changing hands introduces a tangible element to the abstract desire for beauty. It hints at the transactional nature of life and the idea that change, whether personal or societal, often involves a cost. The song closes with a return to the initial longing for beauty, leaving listeners with a sense of unresolved tension between the desire for change and the fear of its consequences. McCallion's lyrics invite reflection on the nature of hope, resilience, and the pursuit of beauty in a world that can feel overwhelmingly dark.