[Verse 1] I found a pearl beneath my bed Shining brighter than the words I never said Put it on and smiled real sweet Now nobody can see the cracks underneath Mama says, “Pretty things don't cry” So I learned to sparkle when I wanted to hide Every little pearl around my neck Is another little secret I haven't told yet [Pre-Chorus] String me up, make me shine Tell me everything is fine If I smile, will you believe There's nothing underneath? [Chorus] Pearl necklace, pearl necklace Wrapped around my throat Looking pretty, looking perfect While I'm sinking like a stone Pearl necklace, pearl necklace Glistening in the light Everybody sees the treasure Nobody asks if I'm alright [Verse 2] Found another underneath the waves I gave it to the girl who always wanted me brave She said, “You're lucky, look at what you have” But she never saw the things I buried in the sand I collected every little stone Built a pretty castle so I'd never feel alone But castles made of secrets crack And once the tide comes in, they don't come back [Pre-Chorus] String me up, make me shine Tell me everything is fine If I laugh, will you believe There's nothing underneath? [Chorus] Pearl necklace, pearl necklace Wrapped around my throat Looking pretty, looking perfect While I'm sinking like a stone Pearl necklace, pearl necklace Glistening in the light Everybody sees the treasure Nobody asks if I'm alright [Bridge] So I took them off one by one Watched them tumble through the water Didn't need to be a princess Didn't need to make you proud Let them sink into the blue Let the ocean keep what's true I don't need a string of pearls To prove I'm worth something to you [Final Chorus] No pearl necklace, no pearl necklace Nothing hiding me tonight I don't need to look perfect Just to know that I'm alright No pearl necklace, no pearl necklace Let the pretty pieces fall Maybe being honest with myself Was the treasure after all [Outro] One pearl... Two pearls... Down into the blue... I spent so long looking beautiful I forgot to look at me...
