Citizen Fish are a ska punk band formed in 1989. Based around Bath, England… Read Full Bio ↴Citizen Fish are a ska punk band formed in 1989. Based around Bath, England, the original members were Dick Lucas (vocals/words), Jasper (bass), Trotsky (drums), and Larry (guitar). Following their first album, Free Souls in a Trapped Environment, Larry left the band and was replaced by Phil, who, along with Dick and Trotsky, had previously been a member of the seminal British punk band, the Subhumans. Jasper and Dick had previously played together in Culture Shock. In 2006 Silas replaced Trotsky, who is still playing with the Subhumans.

The band is known for their lyrics, which often make strong social and political statements, dealing with themes such as anti-consumerism, vegetarianism, questioning of the status quo, and the general encouragement of people to get along with one another.

It is rumored that the band Citizen Dick from the movie Singles is an homage to Citizen Fish and its lead singer.

In 2006 they toured with and recorded a split LP with punk band Leftöver Crack. This was the first Fish activity in recent years, as the members have been concentrating on Subhumans activity as of late (they did do a small East Coast/Midwest U.S. tour consisting of off-the-map bars and basements in the summer of 2005, much to the delight of dedicated fans).

Skin
Citizen Fish Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Growing skin last washed forgotten, when it would be getting rotten but for the rain. Sold times zero to shut out the refrain, "How come we never got to see you again?" Not so much trapped as preferring to hide. Don't open the door unless you're going outside. Living on nothing getting too expensive. Turned it inside out and lost the friendship. With a mood of defiance and not wanting it, becoming reliant on the fact it exists. Searching for something better that this? Throw out the pieces that never would fit. And throw out the jig:saw you coming for miles. Emptied the bin with a, picked up the phone with a, had a few words with a, wrote it all down with a smile. And time stood still like good times do, while bad times hovered in the recent past. Talking them over lets you know you can choose between cutting them dead or letting them last. And the choosing is the using of your own self-esteem. Did you like it as it was? Or has it never really been? Some people want it dirty and others like I clean, denying there's an area that's lying in-between. Watching the blind leading the blind gives you the time to use your mind. Plenty of skin to grown back again, plenty of room outside the one you're in

Overall Meaning

The song "Skin" by Citizen Fish talks about escaping the past and embracing change. Starting with the line, "Growing skin last washed forgotten," the song portrays the feeling of neglecting oneself, and how the only way out of this is to let go of the past. The chorus repeats the refrain, "How come we never got to see you again?" which shows the pain of cutting ties with the past. The song's protagonist is not necessarily trapped, but chooses to hide away from people and situations. Lines like "Living on nothing getting too expensive" show how life can seem hard, even when one is not really living up to their potential.

As the song progresses, the singer becomes more assertive and chooses to throw out "the pieces that never would fit." The lyrics "Throw out the jig:saw you coming for miles" is an analogy for cutting ties with people who might not have the best intentions. The song finally encourages its listeners to choose between "cutting them dead or letting them last." True progress comes with seeking something better than the present situation, and the song suggests that outside of yourself, there is plenty of room for growth.

Line by Line Meaning

Growing skin last washed forgotten, when it would be getting rotten but for the rain.
Neglecting oneself and not taking care of personal hygiene, relying on external factors like rain to clean oneself.

Sold times zero to shut out the refrain, "How come we never got to see you again?"
Avoiding social interactions and cutting ties with people to avoid questions about one's absence or the reasons for it.

Not so much trapped as preferring to hide. Don't open the door unless you're going outside.
Choosing to stay in isolation rather than being forced or trapped in it. Refraining from social interactions unless necessary or beneficial.

Living on nothing getting too expensive. Turned it inside out and lost the friendship.
Struggling to survive on limited resources and losing a friend by showing them one's vulnerable, true self.

With a mood of defiance and not wanting it, becoming reliant on the fact it exists.
Being rebellious and not wanting to rely on something but eventually becoming dependent on it because it's the only option available.

Searching for something better that this? Throw out the pieces that never would fit.
Looking for something more fulfilling in life and letting go of things or people that don't align with one's goals or values.

And throw out the jig:saw you coming for miles. Emptied the bin with a, picked up the phone with a, had a few words with a, wrote it all down with a smile.
Getting rid of things or people that are predictable or pose a threat. Using different means of communication to express oneself and feeling content after doing so.

And time stood still like good times do, while bad times hovered in the recent past. Talking them over lets you know you can choose between cutting them dead or letting them last.
The good times seem to last forever, while the bad times are still fresh in memory. Reflecting on the past allows one to make a decision on whether to forget about it and move on or dwell on it and let it affect the present.

And the choosing is the using of your own self-esteem. Did you like it as it was? Or has it never really been?
Making a choice based on one's self-worth and confidence. Questioning if the past was enjoyable or if it was never truly fulfilling.

Some people want it dirty and others like it clean, denying there's an area that's lying in-between.
Some people prefer chaos and disorder, while others prefer cleanliness and organization. Ignoring the middle ground where balance and harmony can be found.

Watching the blind leading the blind gives you the time to use your mind.
Observing people who are lost and unsure allows one to take the time to think and make better decisions for themselves.

Plenty of skin to grown back again, plenty of room outside the one you're in.
There's always a chance for change and growth, and there's always more to explore and experience beyond one's current situation.

Contributed by Peyton E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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