Messersmith is not only a musician is half-truth, but also a storyteller. His first full-length release The Alcatraz Kid is a moving collection of acoustic-driven lullabies with titles like “Novocain” and “Beautiful Children” that innocently question the purpose of things to come. The integrity of these delicate songs immediately struck a chord with critics and fans alike, and captured the attention of Semisonic’s Dan Wilson, who offered to produce Messersmith’s follow-up album, The Silver City.
The Silver City was a natural progression in sound and reflection: the compositions grew fuller and more dynamic with a classic-pop feel inspired by the Beach Boys and Beatles: While the topics focused on midlife struggles with tracks like “Dead End Job” and “Miracles.” Local and national attention soon followed with NPR and college stations around the country, followed by U.S. tours and sold-out shows in New York, Chicago and Minneapolis.
The Reluctant Graveyard bookends this trilogy of lifelong (ahem, literary) observations with songs like “Lazy Bones” and “Organ Donor,” and sonically continues on the ’60s chamber pop path Messersmith set out with his sophomore release. He continues to share stages with notables such as Sondre Lechre and The Watson Twins, and has been featured on MTV and Ugly Betty.
Old Skin
Jeremy Messersmith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lines etched upon your face
Put your hair down
I'll kiss your brow
Call you beautiful
Our love was made to last
We fade like photographs
The edges are torn
Unmistakable
I'll love your old skin
Love your old skin
Love your old skin
I'll love your old skin
When you're feeling tired
Weary and uninspired
The life that you knew
Seems worthless to you
Unavoidable
When your eyes won't shine
Best years are far behind
I'll hold you close
Never let go
Unforgettable
And when there's nothing left
Ashes and silhouettes
I hope that I find my rest
Next to you
The song "Old Skin" by Jeremy Messersmith is a candid and poignant reflection of love and aging. The lyrics powerfully describe a courageous couple who pledge to love each other "when you're old and gray" and through every step of the inevitable aging process. The first verse is particularly striking with its imagery of "lines etched upon your face" and "wrinkled and worn" bodies. The singer challenges societal norms that focus on youth and beauty and instead embraces the natural progression of aging. The line "Our love was made to last, we fade like photographs" reinforces the idea that even though our physical bodies may wear out, love can and should continue to endure.
The second verse explores the emotional aspect of aging, where one's vitality may wane, and feelings of worthlessness may creep in. The singer counters this by promising to hold his partner close, offering security, and comfort, even when the "best years are far behind." The closing line, "I hope that I find my rest next to you" perfectly encapsulates the message of the song, that love and loyalty can overcome even the most formidable obstacles and that growing old together can be a beautiful thing.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're old and gray
When you have reached old age
Lines etched upon your face
Wrinkles and creases formed on your face after a long and fulfilling life
Put your hair down
Loosen your hair, let it flow free
I'll kiss your brow
I will kiss your forehead as a sign of affection
Call you beautiful
Remind you that you are still a beautiful person
Our love was made to last
Our love is strong and meant to endure through thick and thin
We fade like photographs
Just like photographs, our bodies will eventually fade and age over time
Wrinkled and worn
Our skin will become wrinkled and worn from a lifetime of experiences and emotions
The edges are torn
Our lives will have bumps and bruises along the way, but they make us who we are
Unmistakable
It is inevitable and impossible to miss
I'll love your old skin
I will cherish and embrace your old, imperfect, and beautiful body
Love your old skin
I will still find you beautiful and desirable, even with the noticeable signs of aging
Love your old skin
I will not be afraid of the changes that time has brought upon us
I'll love your old skin
I will continue to love you, regardless of your age or appearance
When you're feeling tired
When you are worn out from a lifetime of work and experiences
Weary and uninspired
Feeling exhausted and lacking motivation
The life that you knew
The life you once knew and lived has changed significantly
Seems worthless to you
It can feel like everything you've done has been for nothing
Unavoidable
It is an unavoidable part of life
When your eyes won't shine
When your eyes no longer have that spark and shine of youth
Best years are far behind
The best years of your life are already behind you
I'll hold you close
I will hold you closely and tightly, providing comfort and support
Never let go
I will always be there for you, no matter what
Unforgettable
It will be something that you will never forget
And when there's nothing left
When everything has ended and there is nothing left
Ashes and silhouettes
All that remains are the memories and shadows of the past
I hope that I find my rest
I hope that my final resting place is with you
Next to you
By your side, where I have always belonged
Contributed by Christopher A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.