The song “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone weaves together emotions like joy, gratitude, love, and fear, creating a powerful emotional journey. This interpretation will explore the deeper meaning of the lyrics, keeping in mind that everyone may experience the song differently. While this may not perfectly align with what the artist intended, it offers a close look at the song’s heart and meaning through the eyes of a listener.
“For a while there, it was rough” — the first verse opens with raw honesty. Right away, the narrator admits that life wasn’t always easy. This line sets a foundation of hardship and struggle. It’s a relatable moment because we’ve all experienced those rough patches where nothing seems to go right.
But then, almost immediately, hope breaks through: “But lately, I’ve been doin’ better”. The shift from darkness to light is subtle yet powerful. It’s a quiet victory after a long battle, a reminder that things can get better, even after difficult times like the “last four cold Decembers”.
In this line, the Decembers stand out as a symbol of cold, bleak moments. Maybe it’s about literal winters or perhaps just metaphorical ones—those times when life felt particularly frozen and still. But the beauty here lies in the word “lately.” It speaks to the fleeting nature of both hardship and happiness, which is a recurring theme in the song.
Next, we hear about the warmth of family: “I see my family every month.” This shows how the narrator’s life is piecing itself back together. Family, often a symbol of stability, becomes a cornerstone in this verse. Reconnecting with loved ones helps heal the soul.
Then, Boone introduces a romantic element: “I found a girl my parents love.” This line, though simple, carries depth. It’s not just about finding love but finding acceptance and approval from the people who matter most. It’s a subtle indication that life is falling into place, and happiness is taking root.
The verse continues with a sense of completeness: “She’ll come and stay the night, and I think I might have it all.” It encapsulates the feeling of fulfillment. There’s a delicate balance between contentment and caution, and the narrator stands on the edge of both. He’s aware of the joy in his life, but there’s a lingering fear.
This is where Boone introduces a powerful contrast: “But I know the things He gives me, He can take away.” The acknowledgment of impermanence comes into play. There’s an underlying awareness that all the beautiful things—love, family, stability—are fragile. This line echoes a common fear, that life’s blessings can vanish just as quickly as they appeared.
The next lines are some of the most poignant: “But there’s no man as terrified as the man who stands to lose you.” This confession is gripping. It shows that love, while beautiful, also brings vulnerability. The fear of losing someone becomes a central theme in this song. It’s not just about losing love—it’s about losing all the beautiful things that make life worth living.
Boone paints a picture of a man deeply in love, but also deeply afraid. Then, the pre-chorus builds on this fear: “Oh, I hope I don’t lose you.” There’s desperation in the plea. It’s like the narrator is holding onto something precious with trembling hands, terrified that it will slip away.
The repetition of “Please stay” adds to the urgency. It’s as though he’s bargaining with fate, pleading for the things he loves to remain untouched. As we transition into the chorus, the fear becomes a full-blown prayer: “I want you, I need you, oh God, don’t take these beautiful things that I’ve got.”
The chorus is simple but powerful. Boone strips down his emotions to their rawest form. He’s pleading with a higher power, acknowledging that these beautiful things—his love, his family, his peace—are not guaranteed. It’s a universal feeling. We’ve all experienced moments when life feels perfect, and we fear its impermanence. Boone captures that sentiment effortlessly.
The “Oh, ooh, please don’t take” post-chorus acts as an echo of the plea, reinforcing the fragility of life’s blessings. It’s like a lingering thought that won’t go away—the fear of losing it all. In the second verse, Boone shifts slightly: “I found my mind, I’m feelin’ sane.” There’s a sense of regained control here. After the turbulence of the first verse, the narrator is finding peace again.
It’s a reflection on mental health, on how important it is to feel grounded. But then he questions: “If everything’s good and it’s great, why do I sit and wait ’til it’s gone?” This is a deeply introspective moment. Even when everything is going well, there’s an unsettling anticipation of loss. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the biggest enemy is our own mind, always waiting for the other shoe to drop.
The verse ends with the same thought: “I’ve got peace and I’ve got love, but I’m up at night thinkin’ I just might lose it all.” This line resonates because it captures the human tendency to worry, even when life is good. It’s that nagging voice in the back of your head that whispers, “What if this doesn’t last?”
As the chorus repeats, the urgency grows. The plea for stability, for keeping the beautiful things intact, becomes more intense. “Please stay, I want you, I need you, oh God, don’t take these beautiful things that I’ve got.” It’s as if the narrator’s greatest fear is coming to the surface again and again, and the only way to cope is to voice it repeatedly.
Finally, the song closes with a poignant outro: “Please stay, I want you, I need you, oh God, I need these beautiful things that I’ve got.” The repetition in this line leaves a lingering effect. It feels like the narrator is holding on tightly to the beauty in his life, even as he acknowledges its impermanence.