AL’S COMMENTS:  I was on a treadmill at the gym (Bally's in North Hollywood, if you must know), staring at the silent TV monitor above me as it played "Ambush Makeover." They turned a rebel-looking biker dude with long hair into a Wall Street accountant, and a "plain jane" girl into a Barbie Doll.

I wish people, especially women, were more comfortable in their own skin, and didn't need TV shows or the "beauty industry" to give them a new identity. I wonder what the ancient Wise Ones would think of all the boob and nose jobs that are done here in the U.S. I heard about Avon ladies taking dugout canoes into the backwaters of the Amazon to pimp their wares to women whose beauty comes from their relationship to their surroundings. When will it end?

Troubled by it all, I wrote this song. It was also for the Wordplay Songwriter Showcase, the theme of which was "What's On T.V.?"

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Beautiful (Click here to preview/download the MP3.) Or click the button below to download from iTunes:

What happened to my lover?
Who took away your face
How much will it cost you
And how much did you pay?

You opened up your wallet
You might as well have opened up your wrist
You look at all that's wrong with you
And you add it to the list

With magazines and pageant queens
They'll shame you and define you
With collegen and with saline
They'll tame you and refine you

Chorus:
But when you are comfortable in your own skin
When you're accepting of all that you are
And you're proud in the way that you walk
You're the most beautiful
Yeah when you are comfortable in your own skin
And you're accepting of all that you are
And you're proud in the way that you walk
You're the most beautiful

You see your smile is my addiction
Your eyes, they make me fly
Your hands are my connection
And your lips are my supply
But you cover every blemish
You hide your every flaw
You listen to the critics
But they don't know who you are

With magazines and pageant queens
They'll shame you and define you
With collegen and with saline
They'll tame you and refine you

Chorus...

Musicians:
Al Polito: Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars
Chet McCracken: Drums
Scotty Manzo: Bass
John "J.T." Thomas: Hammond Organ

Recorded at Rocky Road Ranch Studios and J.T's place
Produced by Scotty Manzo and Al Polito