Revision as of 18:16, 20 May 2009

"Pretty as a Swastika" is the second track from the 2009 release The High End of Low. Its title was revealed on April 16, 2009, in an update on the band's official website. While the song is given the name "Pretty as a ($)" on the back cover of the album, this is more than likely for censorship purposes, as in the booklet it is labeled "Pretty as a Swastika".

Music details

Reviewing for Thrash Hits, Hugh Platt criticized that "the Stooges-rattle of 'Pretty as a Swastika' beats its chest in a manner all too close to the controlled-chaos thrusts of Antichrist Superstar." Platt concluded the review citing "Pretty as a Swastika" as one of the record's top tracks.^[1] The Quietus' John Robb described the song as "full-on from the top," having "some nice rhythm changes that you can sense mosh pit action to. [...] This is stripped down and dirty Manson. There is mention of swastikas. The ugliness of humanity is still a fascination for the singer, whose thing has always been reflecting the ugliness of the slavering media back at them. It's a simple but effective trick, and Manson plays [their] game well, always gaining the upper hand. The track is a sneering high IQ rush before collapsing into a weird splodgy bass rumble that outros the song."^[2]

In his review for Allmusic, Phil Freeman, who was unsatisfied by the album, noted that the title "Pretty as a Swastika" reads "like Manson-by-numbers."^[3]

Appearances

Albums

• The High End of Low

Versions

• "Pretty as a Swastika" — Appears on The High End of Low
• "Pretty as a Swastika" (Alternate Version) — Appears on pressings of The High End of Low shipped to independent record stores

Lyrics

    When I see you in the sun you're as pretty as a swastika
    
    take you down, down from the inside
    take you down, down from the inside
    
    I want to smash into your face, like a plane,
    and drown in between your legs
    
    take you down, down from the inside
    take you down, down from the inside

    i'd die for your sins
    if you don't kill me while I'm trying, baby
    
    let me show you where it hurts
    let me show you where it hurts
    let me show you where it hurts
    there's more than one way, to make you cry
    
    When I see you in the sun you're as pretty as a swastika
    When I see you in the sun you're as pretty as a swastika
    
    take you down, down from the inside
    take you down, down from the inside
    
    one of us is a knife
    one of us is ripe, baby
    
    let me show you where it hurts
    let me show you where it hurts
    let me show you where it hurts
    there's more than one way
    to make you cry
    let me show you where it hurts
    let me show you where it hurts
    let me show you where it hurts
    there's more than one way
    to make you cry

References

1. ↑ Album: Marilyn Manson - The High End Of Low. Hugh Platt. Thrash Hits. May 25, 2009
2. ↑ Marilyn Manson's High End Of Low Reviewed Track-By-Track. John Robb. The Quietus. May 12, 2009
3. ↑ The High End of Low. Phil Freeman. Allmusic. May 16, 2009.