Belafonte is perhaps best known for singing the "Banana Boat Song", with its signature lyric "Day-O". Throughout his career, he was an advocate for civil rights and humanitarian causes.
Belafonte won three Grammy Awards (including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award), an Emmy Award, and a Tony Award. In 1989, he received the Kennedy Center Honors. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1994. In 2014, he received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy's 6th Annual Governors Awards and in 2022 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Early Influence category and was the oldest living person to have received the honor.
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Skin To Skin
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her hands on me
She does not talk, no pretty talk
She pleasures silently
But with her, I am summer
I warm easy to her heart
She fill me full, she fill me full
She make me complete
Skin to skin
Skin to skin
No cold wind blow on me
No cold wind blow on me
Skin to skin
Skin to skin
The light, it shine on me
The light it shine on me
He is a secret soldier
With pieces inside broke
He hides in his own darkness
His fire has no smoke
And, when my body songs begin
When he holds me tight
He chases all my shadows
And I burn so bright
Skin to skin
Skin to skin
No cold wind blow on me
No cold wind blow on me
Skin to skin
Skin to skin
The light, it shine on me
The light, it shine one me
Winter inside of me
Ice to fight the storm
She cannot see
What I hide in me
I can't be strong
Beside her warm
Skin to skin (She's too close)
Skin to skin (much too close)
No cold wind blow on me (she's got a hold on me)
No cold wind blow on me (she's got a hold on me)
Skin to skin (She touches soft)
Skin to skin (ah, much too soft)
The light, it shines on me (her fire is burning me)
The light, it shines on me (her fire is burning me)
Skin to skin (she's too close)
Skin to skin (ah,much too close)
No cold wind blow on me (she's got a hold on me)
No cold wind blow on me (she's got a hold on me)
Skin to skin (she touches soft)
Skin to skin (ah, much too soft)
The light, it shines on me (her fire is burning on me)
The light, it shines on me (her fire is burning on me)
The song “Skin to Skin” by Harry Belafonte speaks of two people who are physically and emotionally connected to each other. The lyrics suggest that the physical intimacy the couple shares brings them emotional fulfillment; it is almost as if their closeness dissolves any emotional barriers they might have had before. The first verse introduces the female character who expresses herself non-verbally; she does not speak with words but instead uses her body to communicate her feelings. The singer claims her touch warms him up and makes him feel complete. The person in the second verse is characterized as someone who is broken and hiding, and the singer paints him as a wounded warrior. The singer suggests that she/he can feel the person's brokenness from the inside, but their intimate connection allows the singer to bring the other person comfort as their bodies collide and eventually give way to a non-verbal language.
The chorus sings about the intimate connection between two people. The metaphor of “skin to skin” implies more than merely touching, but an actual merging of souls, a deep, intimate connection that is both spiritual and physical. The singer seems grateful for the light, for the warmth and the strength she/he receives from the other, and we see that the other person's “fire” kindles the singer's energy. At the end of the song, the singer believes that the intimacy shared between the characters is more enjoyable than being alone, despite their individual "cold winter inside.”
Line by Line Meaning
She does not lazy dance
She moves with purpose and intensity
Her hands on me
Her touch is a source of comfort and connection
She does not talk, no pretty talk
She communicates without words, with actions and body language
She pleasures silently
She gives pleasure without need for verbal affirmation
But with her, I am summer
When she's around, life feels warm and easy
I warm easy to her heart
I find it easy to open up and connect with her emotionally
She fill me full, she fill me full
She completes me, fills a void within me
She make me complete
Her presence brings a feeling of wholeness and contentment
No cold wind blow on me
With her, I am protected from harm and negativity
The light, it shine on me
She brings positivity and brightness to my life
He is a secret soldier
He is reserved and guarded, hiding parts of himself from the world
With pieces inside broke
He is broken and struggling internally
He hides in his own darkness
He retreats into himself, avoiding others and their light
His fire has no smoke
He has passion and energy within, but it is not visible to others
And, when my body songs begin
When we connect physically, my senses heighten and come alive
When he holds me tight
His touch is a source of comfort, safety, and connection
He chases all my shadows
He helps me to overcome my fears and insecurities
And I burn so bright
I feel intense passion and energy when we're together
Winter inside of me
He feels cold and dark inside, like a harsh winter landscape
Ice to fight the storm
He has a tough outer shell to protect himself from the challenges of life
She cannot see
She doesn't fully understand or know him yet
What I hide in me
He has parts of himself that he keeps hidden and private
I can't be strong
He struggles to show his vulnerability and be emotionally open
Beside her warm
But he finds comfort and safety in her presence
She's too close
He's feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable with her so close
Much too close
Her presence is almost suffocating, making him feel trapped
She touches soft
Her touch is gentle and tender
Ah, much too soft
It's almost too much for him to handle, making him feel exposed
Her fire is burning me
Her passion and energy ignite something inside him, making him feel alive
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
edfou5
I once had the great good fortune to have Mr. Belafonte appear in a theatre I ran in New Hampshire, in the late 1980's. He absolutely knocked the audience out. Just a brilliant, joyous, unforgettable and indescribable performance. And every theatre director I knew who was similarly so lucky said the same thing, in so many words..
Having this man on our stage, and meeting him, was one of the great honors of my long life.
I have often told people that in many cases they wouldn't want to meet their favorite stars as they'd inevitably be disappointed, either because the star wasn't all that charming a person or because they'd built up their expectations so high.
Chatting backstage I can tell you that Mr. Belafonte exceeded expectations. Just a fine fellow, a charming man, very generous, very warm, very witty... a special person.
A literally incomparable artist.
DZ Nkonki
This is a time-less piece that fascinates me each and every time I listen to it. I never get over these two.
edfou5
I once had the great good fortune to have Mr. Belafonte appear in a theatre I ran in New Hampshire, in the late 1980's. He absolutely knocked the audience out. Just a brilliant, joyous, unforgettable and indescribable performance. And every theatre director I knew who was similarly so lucky said the same thing, in so many words..
Having this man on our stage, and meeting him, was one of the great honors of my long life.
I have often told people that in many cases they wouldn't want to meet their favorite stars as they'd inevitably be disappointed, either because the star wasn't all that charming a person or because they'd built up their expectations so high.
Chatting backstage I can tell you that Mr. Belafonte exceeded expectations. Just a fine fellow, a charming man, very generous, very warm, very witty... a special person.
A literally incomparable artist.
Silvia Figueroa
Lovely to see him perform
Bruce Wayne
... he is absolutely beyond brilliant as a human & musician ...
John Austin Locke
How wonderfully fortunate for you and the Theatre! What a memory to carry forward of this truly Great Man and performer!!
Elizabeth Kabugho
I grew up with his songs and i will always love them! <3
Elisabeth Winkler
Einfach ein Traum ❤️
Caroline Ukeri
I love this song. This is music unadulterated
takalani mantsha
I love this song with all my heart
Ralph Schmidt
Just a rare jewel. Love it!