Jody Watley (born Jan. 30, 1959, Chicago) emerged from the R&B group Shalam… Read Full Bio ↴Jody Watley (born Jan. 30, 1959, Chicago) emerged from the R&B group Shalamar to score a string of solo hit singles, chiefly from 1987 to 1990, a period in which she reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 six times. Watley got her start as a dancer on the television dance show Soul Train, which led to her being tapped for a spot in Shalamar. Her first solo album, Jody Watley, yielded #2 hit Looking for a New Love, which was followed by two more top 10 singles — Don’t You Want Me (#6) and Some Kind of Lover (#10). Two other singles from the album charted — Still a Thrill (#56) and Most of All (#60). The success propelled her to a Best New Artist Grammy win for 1987. Subsequent album Larger Than Life produced another three top 10 singles: Real Love (#2), Everything (#4) and Friends (#9). Her only other U.S. top 40 appearances came in 1992 with I’m the One You Need (#19) and as one of several featured artists on Babyface’s This is for the Lover in You (#6) in 1996. She is ranked #21 on Billboard’s Greatest of All Time Top Dance Club Artists.

Skin Deep
Jody Watley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm searching for the kind of love that goes beyond the beautiful
What's in your heart is what matters to me.
Will you take more than you give
Are you strong enough to be sensitive
Don't waste my time, just tell me
(Can you give the kind of love that lasts)
Ooo
(Are you full of emptiness)

What's on your mind, tell me
(Can we go deep, can we have a deeper love, what's inside your heart)
Can we go deep?
(Can we have a deeper love, what's inside your heart)

I wanna talk, I'm curious exactly how you're seeing us
Will you be here when I'm old?

(Because beauty will not keep us together, it's love that will weather the storm)

(I wanna go beyond all that I see)
Ummm
(Can you open up your heart to me)
What's on your mind baby

(Can we go deep?)
Deeper than skin,
(Can we have a deeper love what's inside your heart)

What's in your heart?)
(Can we have a deeper love, what's inside your heart)

Overall Meaning

In Jody Watley's song "Skin Deep," the lyrics explore the desire for a love that goes beyond physical appearance and superficiality. The singer expresses the importance of what lies within a person's heart, rather than being solely attracted to external beauty. The questioning tone suggests the desire for a deep connection and genuine emotional intimacy.

The lyrics pose several thought-provoking questions, such as whether the person is willing to give more than they take and if they possess both strength and sensitivity. The singer urges the listener not to waste her time and to be honest about their capacity for long-lasting love. She emphasizes the need to look beyond the surface and uncover what truly matters in a relationship.

The chorus echoes the longing for a deeper connection, asking if they can "go deep," both in terms of emotional depth and understanding. The line "what's inside your heart" emphasizes the yearning to uncover the true nature and intentions of the person she is addressing.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm searching for the kind of love that goes beyond the beautiful
I am seeking a love that goes deeper than physical beauty.

What's in your heart is what matters to me.
I value your inner emotions and thoughts above all else.

Will you take more than you give
Are you willing to be generous and selfless in a relationship?

Are you strong enough to be sensitive
Can you handle vulnerability and emotional openness?

Don't waste my time, just tell me
Be honest and straightforward with me, don't play games.

(Can you give the kind of love that lasts)
Are you capable of providing long-lasting love?

Ooo
(Expression of emotion or emphasis, no specific meaning)

(Are you full of emptiness)
(Are you emotionally hollow or lacking substance)

What's on your mind, tell me
Share your thoughts and feelings with me.

(Can we go deep, can we have a deeper love, what's inside your heart)
(Can we form a strong emotional connection, exploring the depths of your heart)

Can we go deep?
Can we establish a profound connection?

(Can we have a deeper love, what's inside your heart)
(Can our love extend beyond surface level, into the innermost depths of your heart)

I wanna talk, I'm curious exactly how you're seeing us
I desire a conversation to understand your perspective on our relationship.

Will you be here when I'm old?
Will you stand by me and love me even as we grow old together?

(Because beauty will not keep us together, it's love that will weather the storm)
(Physical attractiveness alone cannot sustain a relationship; it's love that can withstand challenges)

(I wanna go beyond all that I see)
(I desire to surpass what is visible on the surface)

Ummm
(Expression of thought or contemplation, no specific meaning)

(Can you open up your heart to me)
(Are you willing to be emotionally vulnerable and share your deepest self with me)

What's on your mind baby
Tell me what's occupying your thoughts, my dear.

(Can we go deep?)
(Can we establish a profound connection?)

Deeper than skin,
Beyond physical appearances,

(Can we have a deeper love what's inside your heart)
(Can our love be rooted in the depths of your heart)

What's in your heart?)
(What emotions and desires reside within your heart)

(Can we have a deeper love, what's inside your heart)
(Can our love extend beyond surface level, into the innermost depths of your heart)

Lyrics © JODY WATLEY MUSIC
Written by: Jody Watley, Rodney Lee

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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