Song Title: Pretty Boy

Main Message: The song explores the initial attraction to physical beauty (‘pretty boy’) but also hints at a desire for deeper connection and substance beyond superficial looks. It’s a sweet, somewhat naive reflection on young love and infatuation.

Lyrics & Emotion Analysis: The lyrics convey a youthful infatuation with a physically attractive boy, using simple yet evocative language to describe his charm. There’s a recurring theme of being captivated by his looks (‘pretty boy, pretty boy, pretty boy, won’t you listen to me?’). However, beneath the surface, there’s a subtle longing for more than just superficial beauty, as indicated by lines that suggest a desire for him to ‘see’ or ‘understand’ her. The emotional tone is sweet, innocent, and slightly wistful, capturing the essence of a teenage crush with a touch of underlying introspection.

Production Analysis: The production is characterized by its clean, acoustic-driven sound. Prominent acoustic guitar melodies form the backbone of the instrumentation, complemented by light percussion and subtle bass. M2M’s signature close harmonies are a key element, creating a bright and airy vocal texture. The overall mix is polished and accessible, typical of late 90s pop, emphasizing clarity and melodic hooks without being overly complex, allowing the youthful vocals to shine.

Contextual Background: Released at the turn of the millennium, ‘Pretty Boy’ emerged during a peak era for teen pop music. M2M, a Norwegian duo, gained international recognition with their fresh, acoustic-pop sound, offering a slightly more organic alternative to the dance-pop prevalent at the time. The song resonated with a young audience, capturing the universal experience of first crushes and the allure of physical attractiveness, establishing M2M as a significant act in the global pop landscape.

MV Information: The music video features M2M (Marit Larsen and Marion Raven) performing the song in various bright, youthful settings. It often shows them playing acoustic guitars, singing directly to the camera, and includes scenes depicting the ‘pretty boy’ theme, emphasizing a lighthearted and innocent aesthetic typical of late 90s/early 2000s teen pop.

Artist/Group: M2M

Genre: Pop, Teen Pop, Acoustic Pop

Language: English

Release Date: 1999

Composer/Lyricist: Marit Larsen, Marion Raven

Awards: None specifically for the song, but contributed to the global success of their debut album ‘Shades of Purple’.