Thick Skin
Hannah Georgas Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Come on down and pay a visit to the circus
It won't cost you much
Just come prepared with some thick skin
We can all get along for the first five minutes
Then from there, just hold your breath
Try not to let your head spin, yeah

It doesn't matter how long you're gone
You're still the same
It doesn't matter how hard you try
You still get called every other name in the book
Everybody's too tired to care
Everybody's skin shoots off
Everybody's hearts are bare
Everybody's hearts are bare

Down by the water you can dip your toes in it
Can almost forget what it was like back then
No one needs to know
No one cares where you've been
No one needs to know




No one needs your thick skin
Your thick skin

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Thick Skin" by Hannah Georgas paints an image of a circus, where individuals with their different traits and personalities converge. She then goes on to advise her listeners to come prepared with some "thick skin" because while the first five minutes might seem amiable, things could quickly spiral out of control, and one might need to hold their breath to brace themselves. The lyrics are a metaphor for everyday life, where one must develop resilience and fortitude to survive. The next verse delves into the fact that no matter how hard one tries to change himself or herself, people will always call them every name in the book. The song captures the feeling of being judged and misunderstood by others, the need to escape from such an environment, and the solace found in one's own company.


The refrain, "No one needs to know, No one cares where you've been, No one needs to know, No one needs your thick skin," is a reminder that when it all becomes too much, one can retreat to places of solitude, like the water, where they can forget their worries and the need to hide behind a thick skin. Georgas lets her listeners know they don't need to keep up a façade or be someone they're not. It is okay to be vulnerable and seek comfort in private spaces.


Line by Line Meaning

Come on down and pay a visit to the circus
Join the crowd and witness the chaos


It won't cost you much
It's not an expensive experience


Just come prepared with some thick skin
Be ready to handle anything that comes your way


We can all get along for the first five minutes
At first, everyone is civil and friendly


Then from there, just hold your breath
As time goes on, things may become more difficult


Try not to let your head spin, yeah
Stay calm and focused


It doesn't matter how long you're gone
Time away won't change who you are


You're still the same
You are who you are


It doesn't matter how hard you try
Trying to change yourself won't make a difference


You still get called every other name in the book
People will still find ways to criticize you


Everybody's too tired to care
People are too worn out to pay attention


Everybody's skin shoots off
Everyone is on edge and quick to react


Everybody's hearts are bare
People are emotionally exposed and vulnerable


Down by the water you can dip your toes in it
Find some peace by the water's edge


Can almost forget what it was like back then
The natural beauty around you can make it easy to forget your troubles


No one needs to know
You can keep your past and your problems to yourself


No one cares where you've been
People aren't interested in your backstory


No one needs to know
It's up to you whether or not you want to share your struggles


No one needs your thick skin
You don't have to put up a front and pretend to be strong all the time


Your thick skin
The emotional armor you've built up to protect yourself




Contributed by Adalyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions