Reneé Rapp has established herself as a prominent voice in contemporary pop music, blending powerhouse vocals with candid, deeply relatable lyricism. Known for her unfiltered approach to storytelling, the American singer-songwriter tackles complex themes of sexuality, modern relationships, and social dynamics. Among her standout tracks, “Pretty Girls” serves as a poignant anthem that explores the nuances of queer experiences and the frustrating realities of performance-based affection.
The song delves into a specific social phenomenon: straight-identified women who experiment with queer romance under the influence of alcohol or late-night atmospheres, only to distance themselves from those experiences once daylight returns. Through sharp wit and vulnerable observations, Rapp transforms a personal grievance into a universal narrative for the LGBTQ+ community.
Analyzing the Narrative: Lyrics and Themes
“Pretty Girls” addresses a classic, predictable conversational cycle that many queer individuals encounter. The track opens with an intimate yet transactional setting where boundaries become blurred, illustrating the contrast between nighttime desires and daytime denial.
The Nighttime Allure vs. The Daytime Reality
The first verse establishes the setting and the core conflict immediately. Rapp describes an encounter where someone claims her as a “favorite” while seeking physical proximity, yet frames the interaction as an exception rather than an authentic connection:
You say that I’m your favorite
With your hand between my thighs
Tell me if you were gonna
That I would be the one you tried
The lyrics highlight how the subject uses her boyfriend as a safety net or justification, stating “he wouldn’t mind.” Rapp acknowledges the complex emotional response to this behavior—the exhaustion of being treated as an experimental bucket list item balanced with the raw honesty of feeling a slight, albeit pathetic, sense of flattery.
The chorus serves as the central thesis of the song, drawing a stark line between two different times of day:
In the PM, all the pretty girls
They have a couple drinks, all the pretty girls
So now, they wanna kiss all the pretty girls
They got to have a taste of a pretty girl
In the AM, all the pretty girls
Act like it never happened in another world
By contrasting “the PM” with “the AM,” the song exposes the hypocrisy of treating queer identity as a temporary playground. In the evening, fueled by alcohol, indulgence is encouraged. By morning, the behavior is hidden away, treated as though it occurred “in another world” to protect social standings or heterosexual norms.
Predictable Patterns and Social Constrictions
In the second verse, the lyrics emphasize the repetitive nature of these interactions. Rapp notes that the conversation is “classic” and that she can predict the dialogue “line by line.” The feeling of being trapped in this social script is compared to a straight jacket that feels “a little tight.”
The track also captures the casual erasure of lesbian and bisexual validity when the subject suggests her boyfriend can join, recognizing that regardless of what happens during the night, “You’ll be his in the morning anyway.”
Creative Collaboration and Production
The track’s sharp commentary is supported by an accomplished team of pop songwriters and producers. The credits for “Pretty Girls” feature a collaborative effort between:
- Reneé Rapp – Lead artist and songwriter, delivering the core concept and vocal performance.
- Justin Tranter – Acclaimed pop hitmaker known for crafting anthems with strong social and emotional resonance.
- Skyler Stonestreet – Renowned songwriter with a history of writing infectious indie-pop and mainstream melodies.
- Alexander 23 – Producer and musician who helped shape the track’s contemporary sonic landscape.
The production mirrors the lyrical themes, utilizing a catchy, upbeat pop rhythm that masks the underlying frustration of the lyrics. This juxtaposition emphasizes the phrase “it’s a blessing and it’s a curse,” allowing the song to function simultaneously as a club-ready track and a critical commentary on modern dating culture.
Cultural Relevance and Legacy
“Pretty Girls” resonates strongly within modern pop music because it addresses the lived experiences of queer women with absolute clarity. Instead of romanticizing the encounter, Rapp calls out the emotional toll of being someone else’s secret or temporary experiment. The inclusion of the definitive, spoken-word background line near the conclusion of the song—”Yeah, that bitch is gay”—solidifies the track’s unapologetic stance.
By refusing to sugarcoat the reality of the “AM” erasure, Rapp provides comfort and validation to listeners who have experienced similar dynamics. The song remains a key fixture in her discography, showcasing her ability to deliver high-energy pop music that refuses to compromise on truth, identity, or emotional authenticity.