Elle King has carved out a unique space in the modern music landscape by blending elements of rock, blues, country, and pop into a raw, unmistakable sound. Known for her raspy vocals and unfiltered storytelling, she tackles themes of vulnerability, self-image, and societal expectations with a signature biting wit. One of the tracks that highlights this compelling artistic perspective is “Naturally Pretty Girls,” a song that pairs catchy melodic structures with an honest, tongue-in-cheek exploration of beauty standards.
For musicians looking to dive into her catalog, analyzing the musical blueprint and chord progressions of “Naturally Pretty Girls” offers a masterclass in how to match emotional storytelling with simple yet powerful instrumentation.
The Musical Architecture of ‘Naturally Pretty Girls’
At its core, “Naturally Pretty Girls” is built around a foundational tonality of D major. This key signature allows for an upbeat, resonant driving rhythm while leaving room for subtle harmonic shifts that reflect the underlying sarcasm and vulnerability of the lyrics.
The chord vocabulary required to master the track is accessible to intermediate and beginner players alike, focusing on a few essential shapes:
- D Major (D): The home key, providing a bright and stable sonic foundation.
- B Minor (Bm): A relative minor chord that introduces a touch of melancholy and introspection.
- B-flat Major (Bb): A striking accidental choice that adds a dramatic, bluesy tension before resolving.
- G Major (G) / G Minor (Gm): Used contextually to shift the emotional weight of the verses and choruses.
Step-by-Step Chord Breakdown and Lyrics
To help you play through the track seamlessly, the following arrangements lay out the exact harmonic transitions matching Elle King’s lyrical delivery.
Intro & Structural Foundation
The introduction establishes the rhythmic groove of the song, alternating between major stability and minor tension.
[Intro]
D Bm Bb
D Bm Bb
Verse Progression: Confronting the Stereotypes
In the opening verses, the instrumentation remains stripped-back to highlight the narrative. The sudden shift into the Bb chord emphasizes the contrast between internal frustration and external perfection.
[Verse 1]
D Bm Bb D
Oh, see those naturally pretty girls that you see around town
Gm D
Looking down on me
Bm Bb D
Who really cares about nice complexion and perfect hair?
Bm Bb D
I'm sure they just get up every morning and be boring and beautiful
[Verse 2]
D Gm D Bm
No, no, no, it's not make believe
Bb D
It's rewarding to be beautiful
Bm Bb
Nature wasn't kind to me
The Climactic Resolution
As the song progresses into its hook, the repetition of the core phrase acts as a sarcastic anthem, cycling through the primary chords with increasing vocal intensity.
[Verse 3]
Bb D Bm
Damn those naturally pretty girls
Bb D
Damn those naturally pretty girls
D
Pretty girls, naturally pretty girls
[Verse 4]
D Bb Bm D
Naturally pretty girls, they always smell so nice
D
I bet your boyfriend thinks so
Bm Bb D
I even heard that in school, she dated Leonardo DiCaprio
G D Bm
Just leave it to a pretty, pretty girl to ruin your day
D
E-E-A-T Performance Techniques for Guitarists
To truly capture the essence of an Elle King track, standard chord strumming isn’t quite enough. Incorporating specific stylistic nuances will elevate your performance from a basic cover to an authentic interpretation:
- Emphasize the Dynamic Contrast: The verses benefit from a muted, rhythmic down-strumming technique (palm muting). This builds an intimate, conversational atmosphere that makes the explosive energy of the chorus drop with a much heavier impact.
- Master the Bb Transition: Shifting from an open D major or a barre chord Bm into a flat-VI chord like Bb Major can feel jarring. Practice sliding your fretting hand smoothly along the neck to ensure the transition sounds deliberate and punchy rather than hesitant.
- Vocal Delivery Alignment: King’s instrumentation is explicitly designed to support her vocal performance. Let your guitar dynamics mirror the grit in her voice—dig into the strings harder during the “Damn those…” refrains to match the track’s emotional peaks.
References and Authoritative Sources
- GuitarTuna Interactive Songbook & Chord Library (673a976478e3caffa0f88ea4)
- Elle King Official Artist Discography and Chord Progressions