Celebrity Skin
Hole Lyrics
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I'm all I want to be
A walking study
In demonology
Hey, so glad you could make it
Yeah, now you really made it
Hey, so glad you could make it now
Oh, look at my face
My name is might have been
My name is never was
My name's forgotten
Hey, so glad you could make it
Yeah, now you really made it
Hey, there's only us left now
When I wake up in my makeup
It's too early for that dress
Wilted and faded somewhere in Hollywood
I'm glad I came here
With your pound of flesh
No second billing 'cause you're a star now
Oh, Cinderella
They aren't sluts like you
Beautiful garbage, beautiful dresses
Can you stand up or will you
Just fall down
You better watch out
What you wish for
It better be worth it
So much to die for
Hey, so glad you could make it
Yeah, now you really made it
Hey, there's only us left now
When I wake up in my makeup
Have you ever felt so used up as this?
It's all so sugarless
Hooker, waitress, model, actress
Oh, just go nameless
Honeysuckle, she's full of poison
She obliterated everything she kissed
Now she's fading
Somewhere in Hollywood
I'm glad I came here
With your pound of flesh
You want a part of me
Well, I'm not selling cheap
No, I'm not selling cheap
The song "Celebrity Skin" by Hole presents a scathing critique of the superficiality and pressures of fame, as well as the desire to be desired by society. The lyrics begin by expressing a desire to be transformed into someone more interesting, a "walking study in demonology." This persona is part of the celebrity machine, and those who strive to become famous go through a process of losing their true identity in order to manufacture a more sensational image. It's only when they "make it" that they feel worthy of attention.
The chorus repeats the line "Hey, so glad you could make it, yeah, now you really made it," sarcastically welcoming people into the world of fame. The lyrics depict an industry that churns out stars and then discards them once they're no longer relevant. The singer repeats the line "When I wake up in my makeup," suggesting that the glamour is all for show, and that beneath the glitter people are still the same flawed individuals. They feel used up and disposable, as they are pushed to present themselves in a certain way to appease society's standards.
The last lines of the song emphasize the singer's unwillingness to compromise her integrity and sell herself out for fame. She won't be a part of the industry's machinations, and won't give in to cheap requests. In conclusion, "Celebrity Skin" is a commentary on the price of fame and the dehumanizing aspects of the entertainment business.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, make me over
Please transform me into something new and exciting
I'm all I want to be
I am seeking to embrace a new identity
A walking study
I am an exhibit to be studied and admired
In demonology
I am exploring the dark side of fame and celebrity
Hey, so glad you could make it
I am pleased that you have arrived
Yeah, now you really made it
Your presence means that the event is truly successful and noteworthy
Hey, so glad you could make it now
I am so happy that you could finally join us
Oh, look at my face
I am feeling embarrassed and insecure about my appearance
My name is might have been
In my past, I could have been someone great, but I missed my chance
My name is never was
I have never been able to achieve lasting recognition or fame
My name's forgotten
Even if I had a moment of fame, it has long been forgotten
Hey, so glad you could make it
I am happy that you were able to come
Yeah, now you really made it
Your presence validates my achievement
Hey, there's only us left now
We are the only ones remaining after everyone else has left
When I wake up in my makeup
I feel trapped in this persona that I have created for myself
It's too early for that dress
I am always on stage, even when I am not ready or prepared for it
Wilted and faded somewhere in Hollywood
My true self is withering away and being replaced by a facsimile of a Hollywood celebrity
I'm glad I came here
Despite the challenges, I still value the opportunities that Hollywood provides
With your pound of flesh
I am constantly being exploited for others' profit and gain
No second billing 'cause you're a star now
As a celebrity, I am always the center of attention and cannot share the spotlight
Oh, Cinderella
I feel like an icon in a fairy tale but I am also a prisoner of my own image
They aren't sluts like you
I am judged more harshly than male celebrities for my sexual behavior and choices
Beautiful garbage, beautiful dresses
I embody both the beauty and the ugliness of fame and celebrity
Can you stand up or will you
Will I be able to survive the pressures and scrutiny of celebrity life
Just fall down
I am at risk of collapsing under the weight of my own image and expectations
You better watch out
Be careful what you wish for, it may come with a price
What you wish for
The things we desire and strive for come with their own set of challenges and obstacles
It better be worth it
Success and recognition come with a high cost, so we must make sure it is worth the sacrifice
So much to die for
The pressure to succeed and maintain fame can be overwhelming and even deadly
Have you ever felt so used up as this?
Do you know what it feels like to be completely depleted and exploited as a celebrity
It's all so sugarless
Fame and success can be empty and unsatisfying
Hooker, waitress, model, actress
Society continues to objectify and exploit women in these professions
Oh, just go nameless
Sometimes it's better to remain anonymous and avoid the pitfalls of celebrity life
Honeysuckle, she's full of poison
Even the sweetest things in life can be toxic and destructive
She obliterated everything she kissed
The intoxicating power of celebrity can destroy everything in its path
Now she's fading
The fleeting nature of fame and success
Somewhere in Hollywood
The place where all Hollywood dreams are made and shattered
You want a part of me
People are always trying to claim a piece of my identity and success
Well, I'm not selling cheap
I am not willing to give away my identity and success easily or cheaply
No, I'm not selling cheap
I am determined to maintain my integrity and self-worth, even in the face of fame and success
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: William Patrick Corgan, Courtney M. Love, Eric Erlandson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nickpeluso7511
Say what you want about Courtney .....this is a good song.
@genevieveleduc2208
of course it is, Kurt Cobain wrote it :) *edit. Billy. None the less, she didn't.
@alexandrasw1830
Genevieve Leduc Billy Corgan, Eric and Courtney wrote it, check your resourse better please
@genevieveleduc2208
Alexandra Sw lmao, thank you ;)
@Lowlandlord
True, still a bitch but the song is good.
@Jonathanest90s
Nick Peluso good song. Fuckin hate Courtney Love so much.
@spookrockcity
We were so spoiled with music back in the 90s
@xZio007x
Yes we were
@quicksilvertongue3248
We still are. There's always crap in the top 40, but the number of gems to discover and the ease of discovering them have both increased exponentially throughout my lifetime.
@Funkensturme
Nowhere as spoiled as we were throughout 1708 to 1750, when Johann Sebastian Bach was active.