Christina Aguilera took the Linda Perry-penned “Beautiful” to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2002, and now Perry is revisiting the Grammy-winning song as the lead single of her next solo album, Let It Die Here. The album is out May 8 on Perry’s 670 Records through Kill Rock Stars and is her first solo effort since 1999’s After Hours.
“When I wrote ‘Beautiful, ‘I had no idea I was struggling inside,” Perry shares. “‘I am beautiful no matter what they say’ — ‘they’ represents the insecurities we all face [and] the fear that makes people unkind simply because someone or something is different. ‘Beautiful’ is about self-expression [and] being free to be whoever you want to be. Don’t you bring me down today. Don’t you dare try to make me feel less than, not good enough or ugly because I don’t look like you. Don’t treat me like I don’t matter just because I do not speak or think like you. I will shine in every single way, and no one can take that from me, you or anyone.”
Perry will perform “Beautiful” tomorrow (Feb. 24) on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. The song is also the subject of a new music video directed by Perry’s ex-partner Sara Gilbert, and stars their child Rhodes, actor Lukas Haas and the children of a number of celebrity friends. “Sara Gilbert captured the innocence and vulnerability of a brave child unafraid to show the world who they are,” says Perry. “While stepping in front of a neophobic crowd, our star shines a light on how beautiful difference can be.”
“Rather than a traditional music video, I approached ‘Beautiful’ as a short film about finding confidence and strength in the face of intolerance,” offers Gilbert. “My hope is that it encourages even a handful of people to be braver in their truth — and perhaps a few others to reconsider what beauty can mean.”
Perry began writing material for the album while filming the documentary that shares its title. The movie will premiere theatrically in New York on the same day as the solo LP’s release, followed by a May 15 L.A. premiere and a May 19 wide U.S. release.
As previously reported, Perry and the members of the reformed 4 Non Blondes are also aiming to release their first new album since their 1992 debut, Bigger, Better, Faster, More!
Here is the track list for Let It Die Here:
Albatross
Balboa Park
Stupid Yellow Kite
Push Me In the River
Is That All You Got
Let It Die Here
Mourning
What Lies With You
I Am Daughter
Anxiety
The Suitcase
Beautiful
Feathers In A Storm
Deep Breath
Now That She’s Gone
Sunday Best
Liberation
Leave a comment