Beauty in the World

Album: The Sellout (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the first single from American soul singer Macy Gray's fifth album, The Sellout. The song was originally a dance track until Gray turned it into more of a rollicking peace and love sing-a-long. "You get bombarded with opinion and expectations and what other people want and you forget what you do well," she said in press materials. "That song is what I do well."
  • This song was inspired by Gray's teenage daughter, who one day Macy overheard laughing hysterically in the next room. "I was having a really bad day and I heard my daughter just cracking up in the next room," she recalled. "She has this really great laugh and I didn't even know what she was laughing at. I thought 'at least she's happy.' And I felt at least I hadn't failed there, because my daughter's happy."
  • In our interview with Macy Gray, she talked about how her kids inspired this song. Said Gray: "It's a good balance when things are crazy as always, and you go home and you've got kids, and at least half of the time, they're making you happy."
  • The song was picked up as the end-title song for the 2010 Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher starring feature film, Killers.
  • The music video, which was directed by Tom Petty's daughter Adria, features Gray performing the song with cheerleaders along with kids jumping rope, dancing and hand clapping.
  • This song was played during the series finale of the ABC dramedy series Ugly Betty. Another ABC series, Private Practice, also used the song in its series-ending final episode.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining Victims

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining VictimsSong Writing

Just like Darrin was replaced on Bewitched, groups have swapped out original members, hoping we wouldn't notice.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.

David Paich of Toto

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Judas Priest

Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton talk twin guitar harmonies and explain how they create songs in Judas Priest.