"Scars To Your Beautiful" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara. It was released on November 13, 2015, through Def Jam Recordings as the tenth track and third single from her debut studio album, Know-It-All. The single was serviced to contemporary hit radio on July 26, 2016, by Def Jam Recordings and Universal Music Group.
A synth-pop ballad, the song was recorded in 2015 at Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, California, and was written by Cara alongside the producers Pop & Oak, Sebastian Kole, and DJ Frank E. Lyrically, it promotes body positivity and self-acceptance.
Upon release, Scars to Your Beautiful received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its empowering message and lyrics. Commercially, it reached number 14 in Canada and peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100,[1] becoming Cara's second top-ten single in the United States. The song also entered the top ten in Australia, Iceland, Slovenia, and Sweden, while topping five Billboard charts and the German Airplay chart. It earned Diamond certification in Brazil, 6× Platinum in the United States, and 5× Platinum in Australia.
The music video, directed by Aaron A, who had previously directed Cara's video for "Wild Things," was released on July 11, 2016. An extended play of remixes, including versions by NOTD, was also released. Scars to Your Beautiful received several award nominations, including four MTV Video Music Awards, winning Best Fight Against the System, an iHeartRadio Music Award for Best Lyrics, an iHeartRadio MMVA for Canadian Single of the Year, and a Teen Choice Award for Choice Music – Female Artist.
Background[]
Cara was motivated to create "Scars to Your Beautiful" after watching an episode of Botched. In an interview with Idolator’s Mike Wass, she explained the process and message behind the song:
| “ | Basically, that song is about body image. It's directed at women, but I think men can relate to it as well. It's just a song about these things that certain women go through on a daily basis in order to feel loved or in order to love themselves. I think that's such a thing that goes on in today's world. These weird things are instilled in us. You know? They tell us that we’re not good enough or that there's only one kind of beauty. This song basically is contradicting that idea. It's saying, 'Well, if the world doesn't like how you look then they should change. They should change their perspective. You don’t have to change yourself.' I mean, I thought that that was important, you know, just to put out next. Especially because I think that's kind of the direction we're going in, you know, with 'Here'. 'Here' was about not belonging anywhere and 'Wild Things' was about finding a space you belong. Now 'Scars To Your Beautiful' is basically about embracing yourself and finally coming to that conclusion where you feel love and you can love yourself. I think it's cool to put out third because I feel like I have a bigger platform now. The point of the song is to reach as many women, or people, as possible.[2] | ” |
Cara also noted that the song was inspired by Christina Aguilera’s 2002 ballad Beautiful.[3]
Critical reception[]
The Guardian's Kitty Empire said that "There's a substance on Scars to Your Beautiful, where Cara tackles the beauty myth à la Beyoncé. The verses pack some good stuff – 'What's a little bit of hunger? I can go a little bit longer.'" and later went on to say "the thumping motivational chorus merely suggests we are all-stars."[4] Katy Iandoli of Idolator stated "Scars to Your Beautiful is a modern-day version of TLC's 'Unpretty', in its acknowledgment of the beauty in both visible and invisible imperfections."[5]
Billboard ranked "Scars to Your Beautiful" at number 77 on their Billboard's 100 Best Pop Songs of 2016: Critics' Picks" list, commenting “Body-positivity anthems typically don't get this dark, but on "Scars To Your Beautiful," Alessia Cara isn't afraid to talk cutting, tears and eating disorders, before getting to the uplifting chorus, where she delivers some of the most empowering, horizon-expanding lyrics of this year: ‘You don't have to change a thing / The world could change its heart.’”[6]
Commercial performances[]
Canada[]
In Cara's home country, the single peaked at number 14 on the Canadian Hot 100. It also reached number 5 on the CHR/Top 40 chart, number 3 on the Canada AC chart, and topped the Hot AC chart. By the end of 2016, it was positioned at number 70 on the Canadian Hot 100 and was eventually certified 8× Platinum by Music Canada for 640,000 equivalent units.
United States[]
In the United States, the song reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, while also peaking at number 14 on the Rhythmic Airplay chart and number 9 on the Dance Club Songs chart. It topped four other Billboard charts, including the Adult Contemporary, Adult Pop Airplay, Dance/Mix Show Airplay, and Pop Airplay charts. By the end of 2017, it ranked number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 10 on both the Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart and Mainstream Top 40, and number 4 on both the Adult Contemporary and Adult Top 40 charts. The single was later certified 6× Platinum by the RIAA for 6,000,000 equivalent units. By the end of 2018, it was number 33 on the Adult Contemporary year-end chart.
Europe[]
In Austria, the song peaked at number 18 on the Ö3 Austria Top 40. In Belgium, it reached number 17 on the Ultratip Bubbling Under chart in Flanders and number 18 in Wallonia. In the Czech Republic, it peaked at number 3 on the Rádio – Top 100 chart and reached number 32 on the Singles Digitál Top 100. Denmark saw the single at number 37 on Tracklisten, and it was certified 2× Platinum for 180,000 units. Although it did not chart in France and Italy, it was certified Platinum in France for 200,000 units and 2× Platinum in Italy for 100,000 units. In Germany, it reached number 19 on the GfK Entertainment charts and topped the German Airplay chart. The song peaked at number 4 in Iceland, number 39 in Ireland, number 30 on the Netherlands Single Top 100, and number 7 on the Dutch Top 40. It was certified Platinum in Norway (100,000 units), 2× Platinum in Poland (100,000 units), 2× Platinum in Portugal (20,000 units), and Platinum in Spain (60,000 units). In Slovenia, the single reached number 9, and in Sweden it peaked at number 10, earning 3× Platinum for 120,000 units. In Switzerland, it reached number 18, while in the UK it peaked at number 55 and was certified 2× Platinum for 1,200,000 units.
Other countries[]
In Australia, the song peaked at number 8 and was certified 5× Platinum for 350,000 units. In New Zealand, it reached number 15 and earned 4× Platinum for 120,000 units. In Brazil, although it did not chart, it was certified Diamond for 250,000 units.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
She just wants to be beautiful
She goes unnoticed, she knows no limits
She craves attention, she praises an image
She prays to be sculpted by the sculptor
[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, she don't see the light that's shinin'
Deeper than the eyes can find it
Maybe we have made her blind
So she tries to cover up her pain
And cut her woes away
'Cause covergirls don't cry
After their face is made
But
[Chorus]
There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful
[Post-Chorus]
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful
[Verse 2]
She has dreams to be an envy, so she's
Starving, you know, covergirls eat nothin'
She says, "Beauty is pain and there's beauty in everything, what's a little bit of hunger?
I can go a little while longer," she fades away
[Pre-Chorus]
She don't see her perfect, she don't understand she's worth it
Or that beauty goes deeper than the surface, oh, oh
So to all the girls that's hurtin', let me be your mirror
Help you see a little bit clearer the light that shines within
[Chorus]
There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful
[Post-Chorus]
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful
[Bridge]
No better you than the you that you are
No better you than the you that you are
No better life than the life we're livin'
No better life than the life we're livin'
No better time for your shine, you're a star
No better time for your shine, you're a star
Oh, you're beautiful, oh, you're beautiful
[Chorus]
There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful
[Post-Chorus]
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful
Music video[]
The music video was published on July 11, 2016, directed by Aaron A, with a cameo appearance by fellow singer JoJo.[7]
Background[]
On the concept of the music video, Cara said in an interview with Cosmopolitan:
| “ | I wanted to do this kind of video for a very long time. Since we had this song — and since we knew it was going to be a single — I had this vision of many different cinematic shots of different kinds of people. I wanted all kinds of people — young, old, whatever their situation, whether it's visible scars, non-visible scars — just a bunch of different women, and there are some men in there as well because it can reach out to guys too. But I wanted real shots of real people telling their stories, and showing the story through little vignettes.[8] | ” |
Videos[]
Remixes[]
Usage in media[]
- The song is featured in the television shows The Bold Type and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
- The song was used in the international trailer of A Wrinkle in Time,[9] as well as the background music for the introduction video of Dirt Rally 2.0.
- In 2018, the song was featured in television commercials for ULTA Beauty.
Track listing[]
| CD Single | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Scars to Your Beautiful" | 3:50 |
| 2. | "Scars to Your Beautiful" (NOTD Remix) | 3:19 |
| Digital download – Remixes | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Scars to Your Beautiful" (Luca Schreiner Remix) | 4:22 |
| 2. | "Scars to Your Beautiful" (NOTD Remix) | 3:19 |
| 3. | "Scars to Your Beautiful" (Cages Remix) | 4:28 |
| 4. | "Scars to Your Beautiful" (Joe Mason Remix) | 3:51 |
| 5. | "Scars to Your Beautiful" (recycle jordan Remix) | 3:32 |
References[]
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20160711195026/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases
- ↑ "Alessia Cara On Touring With Coldplay & Her Next Single - Idolator"
- ↑ https://www.vice.com/en/article/take-a-minute-to-watch-alessia-caras-video-for-scars-to-your-beautiful/
- ↑ "Know-It-All by Alessa Cara review - teen rebel in search of better cause"
- ↑ "Alessia Cara's 'Know-It-All': Album Review - Idolator"
- ↑ "Billboard's 100 Best Pop Songs of 2016: Critics' Picks"
- ↑ "Scars To Your Beautiful - Alessia Cara - Vevo"
- ↑ "Alessia Cara 'Scars To Your Beautiful' Video - Alessia Cara Interview"
- ↑ "A Wrinkle in Time International Trailer #1 (2018)"
[]
v • e  | |
|---|---|
| Featured tracks | "Seventeen" • "Here" • "Outlaws" • "I'm Yours" • "Four Pink Walls" • "Wild Things" • "Stone" (featuring Sebastian Kole) • "Overdose" • "Stars" • "Scars To Your Beautiful" |
| Bonus tracks | "Here (2:00 AM Version)" • "River of Tears" • "My Song" • "How Far I'll Go" |
| Scrapped tracks | 1st Unknown Song • "Bored" • "Carried Away" • "Cupid" • "Forever" • "Frontlines" • "Gone" • "In Your Hands" • "Rescue" • "Stressed Out" • "These Days" • "Vegas" |
| Tour | Know-It-All Tour |
| Extras | Four Pink Walls |