During the band's early years, In Flames had a varying group of musicians recording with them, including many session musicians. By the release of Colony (1999), the group had established a stable lineup. Their sixth studio album Reroute to Remain (2002) showed the band moving toward a newer style of music that moved further away from melodic death metal and closer to alternative metal. This decision was criticized by fans of the group's heavier metal sound; however, it increased the band's mainstream audience and bolstered their album sales. As of 2008, In Flames has sold over two million records worldwide.
Since the band's inception, In Flames have released thirteen studio albums, three EPs, and two live DVDs, their latest release being their thirteenth studio album I, the Mask in 2019. In Flames has been nominated for three Grammis Awards. They won two of these nominations; one for Soundtrack to Your Escape (2004) in the "Hard Rock/Metal of the Year" category, and one nomination for their following album Come Clarity (2006) in the same category.
Underneath My Skin
In Flames Lyrics
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All the heights I did aspire
Seems forever gone
A torn and shredded grin to fit the blackened day
Shoveling the ashes from the times of selfish ways
I'm taking more than I can give
Is this the life I wanna live?
There's nothing underneath my skin
Is this the life I wanna live?
The life I wanna live
Falling like stars from the sky
Burned out before the trial
And are forever gone
Kneel and pray to find the right way back inside
Been to hell and back but still I feel I'm blind
I'm taking more than I can give
Is this the life I wanna live?
The life I wanna live
There's nothing underneath my skin
Is this the life I wanna live?
The life I wanna live
I'm taking more than I can give
Is this the life I wanna live?
The life I wanna live
There's nothing underneath my skin
Is this the life I wanna live?
The life I wanna live
Is this the life I wanna live?
Is this the life I wanna live?
The lyrics to In Flames' song "Underneath My Skin" evoke a sense of grappling with the question of what kind of life one truly wants to live. The singer seems to be reflective and remorseful, as he contemplates his past aspirations that now feel forever out of reach. The once-promising heights that he had aimed for now seem like they are gone and nothing remains beneath his skin. He paints a picture of a life lived selfishly, taking more than he gives, and now questioning whether he wants to continue down this path. The line "shoveling the ashes from the times of selfish ways" is particularly evocative and emphasizes his desire to leave behind this version of himself.
The imagery in the second half of the song is particularly poignant, as he compares himself to stars burning out before their time. He seems to be struggling to find his way back inside, to reorient himself and his life. He references having been to hell and back, and though he is still alive, he confesses that he feels blind. It seems that he is searching for a way to live a more meaningful life, one that he can truly be proud of.
Line by Line Meaning
Waiting for miracles to appear
Hoping for a change in life that seems impossible to come by
All the heights I did aspire
The goals and aspirations that were once pursued
Seems forever gone
It feels like those dreams and aspirations are lost forever
A torn and shredded grin to fit the blackened day
Wearing a fake smile to hide the pain and sadness inside
Shoveling the ashes from the times of selfish ways
Reflecting on past mistakes and trying to make amends
Falling like stars from the sky
Losing everything that was once valued like a shooting star falling from the sky
Burned out before the trial
Giving up and losing all hope before even trying
And are forever gone
The things that were lost are gone forever
Kneel and pray to find the right way back inside
Searching for a way to get back on track and rediscover who you truly are
Been to hell and back but still I feel I'm blind
Despite going through struggle and hardship, feeling lost and directionless
Is this the life I wanna live?
Questioning the choices and decisions made in life so far
The life I wanna live
Wondering if the current way of living is truly fulfilling
There's nothing underneath my skin
Feeling empty and hollow, like there's nothing inside
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Sean Bowe, Lenard Skolnik, Bjorn Ingvar Gelotte, Howard Benson, Anders Par Friden
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind