[Verse 1]
Everybody laughed at you
For doing what you’re supposed to do
Standing up for what is true
Got your feelings hurt tonight
You must be doing something right
[Chorus]
You’re so unusual
I think you’re beautiful
You’re so unusual
[Verse 2]
Gray is now the status quo
Black and white’s not in, you know
You’re the zebra in the pony show
Your wear your faith just like a light
I’d say you’re doing something right
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
Standing up for Jesus’ name
Just let them call you strange
I call you brave, unique and set apart
A masterpiece, a work of art
Living out what you believe
Being who you’re made to be
I love to see the way that you are so
[Chorus]
Unusual
I think you’re beautiful
You’re so unusual
Oh, for heaven’s sake
You’re unafraid and unashamed
You’re so unusual
What’s up with all these shades of gray
The difference should be night and day
You’re so unusual
[Outro]
Brave, unique and set apart
Masterpiece, a work of art
Living out what you believe
Being who you’re made to be
I love to see the way that you are
Unusual
Unusual
Song Meaning
Francesca Battistelli opens "Unusual" defending someone before ever naming what they did — "everybody laughed at you for doing what you're supposed to do, standing up for what is true, got your feelings hurt tonight, you must be doing something right" — treating ridicule itself as a kind of evidence.
"Gray is now the status quo, black and white's not in, you know, you're the zebra in the pony show" names conformity as the actual norm being resisted, and the chorus turns a word usually meant as an insult into praise instead: "you're so unusual, I think you're beautiful."
"Standing up for Jesus' name, just let them call you strange, I call you brave, unique and set apart" makes the source of the mockery explicit rather than leaving it vague, and "a masterpiece, a work of art" pairs two different kinds of value, made and rare, in the same breath. The closing repetition, "you're unafraid and unashamed," answers the fear of standing out with the two things ridicule is usually meant to produce.