"Pretty Girl" is a song by American singer and songwriter Maggie Lindemann. It is her first major-label single, and was released on September 30, 2016, through 300 Entertainment.[5] The song was written by Lindemann, Sasha Sloan, and Sean Myer, with the production being handled by Jayson DeZuzio.[6]
Background
Lindemann said in an interview with Billboard's Braudie Blais-Billie:
"'Pretty Girl' is about being more than just what people see online and girls being more than our physical appearances. I think people need to look past just that and find what's deeper."[7]
Critical reception
Jeff Nelson of People said "in the defiant pop track, Lindemann, 18, blasts haters and affirms that she's more than her appearance" and called it an "infectious single".[3]Idolator's Mike Wass stated that "Pretty Girl" is "something of a departure from her independent fare. The dark and gloomy sound of the 18-year-old's early material has given way to a more defiant and optimistic approach" and later claimed "I preferred the diva's dark-pop phase, but the song has an important message".[8] Hugh McIntyre of Forbes called it "a catchy pop number" but later remarked that the song is "off to a fair start on streaming sites, but will she be able to break through and become a mainstream hitmaker? It wouldn't be out of the question for a social star to top the charts, so don't laugh off the possibility".[2]
Music video
A music video for the song, directed by Roman White, was released on March 9, 2017.[9]
"'Pretty Girl' was inspired by my experiences growing up on social media and being constantly judged and underestimated based on the superficial, which is something I think a lot of girls are going through right now. Being on the set of 'Pretty Girl' with all of the amazing girls was so much fun, just hanging out and getting into trouble. We had a good time, and I think it shows, especially in the shots outside where we got to be a bit sassier."[3]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 28. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201732 into search. Retrieved August 16, 2017.