Pretty Girl Rock

Album: No Boys Allowed (2010)
Charted: 53 24
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This uptempo track is the second single by American R&B singer-songwriter Keri Hilson, from her sophomore album, No Boys Allowed.
  • This self-appreciating song was produced by Chuck Harmony and Ne-Yo and finds Hilson repping for all the gorgeous gals.
  • Hilson discussed with MTV News why every female should feel like a "pretty girl": "I think that this record could have a special place or could live in the hearts of those who are different and those who people call 'imperfect' or you know, just have a lot of insecurities," she explained. "Everyone's dealing with them. Everyone has insecurities and imperfections, and it's all about embracing those things and understanding that through your differences, you are beautiful."
  • The music video directed by Joseph Kahn ("Love The Way You Lie"), features Hilson paying tribute to a succession of star from early 20th-century singers Dorothy Dandridge and Josephine Baker, '50s screen queen Doris Day to "'90's girl group TLC. "In this video, I do nine changes, and it's almost like I have to slip in and out of multiple personalities because I'm doing, what, 10 different eras, from the '20s straight up until 2010, which is me," she explained to MTV News. Hilson added that the video is her "way of paying homage to groundbreaking women, strong women who were fearless and so bold and so confident that they made women feel that way. And I hope to do the same."

Comments: 3

  • Chinonye from Lagos, NigeriaActually, both song were nominated in different years and in different categories.
  • Chi Girl from NigeriaA fun song. She performed it on David Letterman to thunderous applause. It seems Neyo gave her the song as a compensation for giving Beyonce Irreplaceable. Both songs were nominated for grammies in the same category but Irreplaceable won.
  • Wade from Katy, TxThis has honestly got to be the biggest fail of a song for 2010
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust

Lajon Witherspoon of SevendustSongwriter Interviews

The Sevendust frontman talks about the group's songwriting process, and how trips to the Murder Bar helped forge their latest album.

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith

Steven Tyler of AerosmithSongwriter Interviews

Tyler talks about his true love: songwriting. How he identifies the beauty in a melody and turns sorrow into art.

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?

80s Music Quiz 1

80s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.