Jump to content

Unpretty

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Unpretty"
The three members are standing in front of a multi-colored wall, with thick black horizontal lines covering their bodies. The song title is positioned above them, while the group logo is positioned underneath.
CD single green cover
Single by TLC
from the album FanMail
ReleasedMay 17, 1999 (1999-05-17)
Recorded1998
StudioD.A.R.P., Bosstown (Atlanta, Georgia)
Genre
Length
  • 4:38 (album version)
  • 4:08 (radio version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Dallas Austin
TLC singles chronology
"No Scrubs"
(1999) 		"Unpretty"
(1999) 		"Dear Lie"
(1999)
Music video
"Unpretty" on YouTube

"Unpretty" is a song by American group TLC, released on May 17, 1999, through LaFace and Arista Records as the second single from the band's third studio album, FanMail. It was written by Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and producer Dallas Austin. Watkins had written a poem to express her disgust over an episode of Ricki Lake, and Austin helped her adapt it into the song.

"Unpretty" was the album's second song to top the US Billboard Hot 100, which it did for three weeks. The song topped the chart in Iceland and peaked in the top 10 in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. An accompanying music video was directed by Paul Hunter, which depicts the band situated in three separate storylines. The song was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards.

Background and composition

[edit]

Watkins was in the hospital when she conceived the idea of "Unpretty" after watching an episode of American talk show Ricki Lake, in which the men on the show called women "fat pigs". She wrote the song out as a poem and gave it to Austin to record in the booth. Austin wanted to incorporate TLC's music into a folk and alternative rock sound. He wrote "Unpretty" as an "acoustic-driven pop song" in order for people to conceive TLC as an established group.[1] Stacy Lambe of VH1 described the song as having an "alternative rock vibe".[2]

Commercial performance

[edit]

The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, spending three weeks atop the chart.[3] It was the second consecutive number-one single from the album, following "No Scrubs". It would also be the group's fourth and final number one on the chart, alongside being their last single to enter the top-ten. Worldwide, the song reached number one in Iceland for a week and peaked within the top 10 in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.

It was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards.[4]

Music video

[edit]

Background

[edit]

Paul Hunter directed the music video for "Unpretty", which was filmed in June 1999 in Valencia, California, and cost over $1.6 million in production.[5] A shortened edit of the video was created, which was released to an all-ages audience (as "Children's Version"),[6] that removes the solo storylines of both Watkins and bandmate Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, as some of the scenes were deemed as too explicit.[5]

Synopsis

[edit]

The video begins with the TLC members entering a meditation hut. As the three women begin to meditate, a probe camera is released to record images of struggles in daily life, which ties together vignettes of several different stories relating to the song's lyrics. Several shots of TLC meditating and in a pink and purple field of flowers are shown intermittently throughout the video.

The main set of vignettes features a young woman, portrayed by band member Chilli, and an overweight teenager (played by actress Tamika Katon-Donegal).[7][better source needed] Chilli's boyfriend convinces her to get breast implants to augment her modest bust. However, after she sees another patient in the hospital (played by singer Jade Villalon) getting her implants painfully removed, the woman flees the hospital in fear, and is later shown fighting with her boyfriend when she catches him reading magazines of busty women. The other girl is worried about fitting the "ideal" image of the petite supermodel and struggling with bulimia as a result. Near the end of the video, however, she tears down the unrealistic images of models that she has tacked on her wall and changes into a bathing suit.

Another vignette features Watkins as a high school student who is harassed by two white kids because she is a girl, only to be saved by her teacher, who sends the white kids away and retrieves her stuff for her. The last vignette features Lopes as an inner-city woman who plays her verse from "I'm Good at Being Bad" to her friend in her car.[citation needed] They come across a city gang, who are approached by a rival gang who begin to threaten them. The two gangs start fighting, which becomes so violent that knives and guns are involved and Lopes and her friend duck for cover as her car window is damaged. When the fight subsides, Lopes leaves the car to assist the remaining injured and barely conscious survivors. One of the survivors has been mortally wounded due to being stabbed in the heart, so Lopes applies pressure on his chest to stop the bleeding and prays as they wait for the police to arrive. Lopes also appears in the "Unpretty" performance shots reciting the song lyrics in American Sign Language.[8]

Track listings

[edit]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits for "Unpretty" adapted from AllMusic.[18]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Unpretty"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[70] Platinum 70,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[71] Gold 5,000*
Sweden (GLF)[72] Platinum 30,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[73] Silver 200,000^
United States (RIAA)[74] Gold 500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Unpretty"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States May 17, 1999 Urban contemporary radio
[75]
July 27, 1999 Urban adult contemporary radio [76]
Sweden August 2, 1999 CD single [77]
United States August 10, 1999
[78]
United Kingdom August 16, 1999 [79]
France September 21, 1999 CD single
[80]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Gracie, Bianca (February 22, 2019). "TLC's 'FanMail' Turns 20: A Track-By-Track Retrospective With the Girl Group and Behind-the-Scenes Collaborators". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 23, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  2. ^ Lambe, Stacy (October 23, 2013). "Behind The Song: TLC's 'Waterfalls' + 'No Scrubs' + 'Unpretty'". VH1. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "TLC Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  4. ^ "42nd Annual Grammy Awards nominations". CNN. January 4, 2000. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Corkery, Emily (October 14, 2019). "The jaw-dropping price tag of the most expensive music videos". Finance 101. Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  6. ^ "TLC (UK) Unpretty - Childrens Version UK Promo video (VHS or PAL or NTSC) (289882)". eil.com.
  7. ^ "Tamika Katon-Donegal" (PDF). SAG-AFTRA. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 11, 2018.
  8. ^ Tensley, Brandon (May 30, 2017). "How TLC Changed Everything". Pacific Standard. Retrieved June 13, 2022. ... she also taught me the sign language that Left Eye uses in the "Unpretty" music video, because naturally she had learned it.
  9. ^ Unpretty (US CD single liner notes). TLC. LaFace Records. 1999. 73008-24424-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ Unpretty (US cassette single sleeve). TLC. LaFace Records. 1999. 73008-24424-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ Unpretty (US 12" single). TLC. LaFace Records. 1999. 73008-24425-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ Unpretty (European CD single liner notes). TLC. Arista Records, LaFace Records, Bertelsmann Music Group. 1999. 74321 68254 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ Unpretty (UK CD1 liner notes). TLC. Arista Records, LaFace Records, Bertelsmann Music Group. 1999. 74321 69584 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ Unpretty (UK CD2 liner notes). TLC. Arista Records, LaFace Records, Bertelsmann Music Group. 1999. 74321 69585 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Unpretty (European CD maxi single 1 liner notes). TLC. Arista Records, LaFace Records, Bertelsmann Music Group. 1999. 74321 68253 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ Unpretty (European CD maxi single 2 liner notes). TLC. Arista Records, LaFace Records, Bertelsmann Music Group. 1999. 74321 70204 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ Unpretty (German maxi-CD single liner notes). TLC. Arista Records, LaFace Records, Bertelsmann Music Group. 1999. 74321 70209 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ "Fanmail – TLC > Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  19. ^ "TLC – Unpretty". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  20. ^ "TLC – Unpretty" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  21. ^ "TLC – Unpretty" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  22. ^ "TLC – Unpretty" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  23. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7284." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  24. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7842." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  25. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 9973." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  26. ^ "Canadian Top 20 in 1999" (PDF). Cross Canada Countdown. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2005. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  27. ^ "HR Top 20 Lista". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on October 21, 1999. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  28. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 41. October 9, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  29. ^ "TLC: Unpretty" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  30. ^ "TLC – Unpretty" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  31. ^ "TLC – Unpretty" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  32. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 47. November 20, 1999. p. 19. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  33. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 20 (23.9 – 30.9 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). September 24, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  34. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Unpretty". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  35. ^ "Hits of the World – Italy" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 41. October 9, 1999. p. 72. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  36. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 36, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  37. ^ "TLC – Unpretty" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  38. ^ "TLC – Unpretty". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  39. ^ "TLC – Unpretty". VG-lista. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  40. ^ "Major Market Airplay – Week 36/1999" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 36. September 4, 1999. p. 19. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  41. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  42. ^ "TLC – Unpretty" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  43. ^ "TLC – Unpretty". Singles Top 100. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  44. ^ "TLC – Unpretty". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  45. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  46. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  47. ^ "TLC Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  48. ^ "TLC Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  49. ^ "TLC Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  50. ^ "TLC Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  51. ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 1999". ARIA.
  52. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1999" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  53. ^ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Retrieved June 24, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  54. ^ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Retrieved June 24, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  55. ^ "RPM 1999 Top 50 Dance Tracks". RPM. Retrieved June 24, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  56. ^ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1999" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 1. January 1, 2000. p. 11. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  57. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1999" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  58. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1999". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  59. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1999" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  60. ^ "End of Year Charts 1999". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  61. ^ "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 1999" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on January 22, 2005. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  62. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1999" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  63. ^ "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100". Music Week. London, England. January 22, 2000. p. 27.
  64. ^ "Most Broadcast of 1999: Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music Week. January 22, 2000. p. 31. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  65. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1999". Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  66. ^ "1999 The Year in Music: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-57.
  67. ^ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1999" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 54. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  68. ^ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1999" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 53. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  69. ^ Geoff Mayfield (December 25, 1999). 1999 The Year in Music Totally '90s: Diary of a Decade - The listing of Top Pop Albums of the '90s & Hot 100 Singles of the '90s. Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  70. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  71. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – TLC – Unpretty". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  72. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2000" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  73. ^ "British single certifications – TLC – Unpretty". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  74. ^ "American single certifications – TLC – Unpretty". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  75. ^ "AddVance Notice". Radio & Records. No. 1299. May 14, 1999. p. 60.
  76. ^ "Urban AC: Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1309. July 23, 1999. p. 112.
  77. ^ "TLC: Unpretty". click2music.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on February 22, 2005. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  78. ^ "22nd Anniversary of TLC's 'Unpretty'". We Miss Music. August 10, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  79. ^ "Urban AC: Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1309. July 23, 1999. p. 112.
  80. ^ "Unpretty TLC (Interprète) CD single" (in French). France: Fnac. September 21, 1999. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Unpretty&oldid=1254024180"