Crookes has cited Black Uhuru, Marvin Gaye, The Pogues, Sinead O'Connor, Kendrick Lamar, Gregory Isaacs and Kate Nash as her influences.
Skin
Joy Crookes Lyrics
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Your mind is easiest when we both undress each other
Underneath the southeast sky, I asked you for a light
Now I'd do anything to keep us together
Don't say that you're giving up
What if you decide that you don't wanna wake up, too?
I don't know what I'd do
Don't you know the skin that you're given was made to be lived in?
You've got a life
You've got a life worth living
Bussing down to Waterloo just to feel control
I can't fix everything, as much as I want to
You were in and out of thinking you could live past twelve
You're so much different now, it can't destroy you
So don't say that you're giving up
What if you decide that you don't wanna wake up, too?
I don't know what I'd do
'Cause I've built my life around you
Don't you know the skin that you're given was made to be lived in?
You've got a life
You've got a life worth living
In "Skin," Joy Crookes sings about a complicated and intense relationship. The first verse suggests that the two people in the relationship find it easiest when they are physically intimate, when they undress each other. The imagery of pulling away the clothes is significant. It suggests that both Joy and her partner feel more comfortable and vulnerable without the protective layers of clothing, both physically and emotionally. However, Joy seems to be aware that this physical comfortability does not necessarily translate into emotional stability, as she sings, "Now I'd do anything to keep us together / Don't say that you're giving up."
The second verse speaks to the despair and darkness that often accompanies mental health struggles. The image of bussing down to Waterloo could be interpreted as fleeing from this darkness or perhaps going towards a place where one can feel more in control. Joy acknowledges her inability to fix her partner's struggles while maintaining her commitment to the relationship: "I can't fix everything, as much as I want to." She then acknowledges the progress that her partner has made and encourages them to stay strong: "You're so much different now, it can't destroy you."
The chorus provides a message of hope and empowerment. Joy sings, "Don't you know the skin that you're given was made to be lived in? / You've got a life / You've got a life worth living." This message can be interpreted as a reminder to her partner to value themselves and their own skin, a metaphor for their own life and body. It can also be read as a message of self-affirmation, a belief that the skin that they are in is worth living in and deserving of respect and care.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I could pull away the clothes, the dress
I wish we could be more intimate and vulnerable with each other.
Your mind is easiest when we both undress each other
We feel most comfortable and connected when we expose ourselves emotionally.
Underneath the southeast sky, I asked you for a light
We shared a moment of connection and intimacy.
Now I'd do anything to keep us together
I value our relationship and am willing to do what it takes to keep it strong.
Don't say that you're giving up
I don't want you to give up on our relationship.
What if you decide that you don't wanna wake up, too?
What if you give up on life and decide to end it?
I don't know what I'd do
I would be devastated without you.
'Cause I've built my life around you
My life is so intertwined with yours that losing you would be like losing a part of myself.
Don't you know the skin that you're given was made to be lived in?
Your body is a gift meant to be cherished and enjoyed.
You've got a life
You have a precious and valuable existence.
You've got a life worth living
Your life is worth living, even when things get tough.
Bussing down to Waterloo just to feel control
I sometimes try to control situations in my life, even if it means going out of my way.
I can't fix everything, as much as I want to
I wish I could solve all of life's problems, but sometimes I have to accept my limitations.
You were in and out of thinking you could live past twelve
You used to struggle with the idea of having a future, but now you're doing better.
You're so much different now, it can't destroy you
You've grown and changed, and you're stronger than you used to be.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Danny Casio, Joy Elizabeth Akther Crookes, Matthew Jonathan Gordon Maltese
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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[Verse 1]
I wish I could pull away the clothes that dress your mind
As easy as when we both undress each other
Underneath the southeast sky, I asked you for a light
Now I'd do anything to keep us together
Don't say that you're giving up
[Chorus]
What if you decide that you don't wanna wake up, too?
I don't know what I'd do
'Cause I've built my life around you
Don't you know the skin that you're given was made to be lived in?
You've got a life
You've got a life worth living
[Verse 2]
Bussing down to Waterloo just to feel control
I can't fix everything, as much as I want to
You were in and out of thinking you could live past twelve
You're so much different now, it can't destroy you
So don't say that you're giving up
[Chorus]
What if you decide that you don't wanna wake up, too?
I don't know what I'd do
'Cause I've built my life around you
Don't you know the skin that you're given was made to be lived in?
You've got a life
You've got a life worth living
wikitikibiki
This girls voice, music style, fashion aesthetics, cinematic choices… let’s just say I’m in love with someone that I have never met.
el comentario último
Steady on
The Twouie Show
i worked on the shoot for this video, she was really nice and actually took the time to learn my name and say hi whenever we crossed paths
Grant Quinn
She really is special ✌🏻
wikitikibiki
@The Twouie Show Stop it man, i don’t need more reasons! 😅
margaret cox
I just heard her interview on NPR, I'm sold!
Sand June
This should be a Mental Health Awareness Song. This is such a mature worded record for someone so young. The empathy for someone fighting for their partner/friend to live & not give in to depression, its nice to have a song from the other side of the coin looking in. Such a moving, loving sad song about real life emotions dealing with mental health. Ive been both sides of this coin. Love to you joy and your band and partner. A talented and inspirational young lady singing about real important issues in life. Joy You are a breath of fresh air. Really sick of boy/girl bands who only ever sing about sex, walk about half naked and constantly using that awful Auto Tune. Nice to see real talent come out of the UK once again. Also love your song Anyone but me. been there many times too. Thank you.
Yevgeniya Leshchenko
Not to ''give in to depression''? You know that for some of us, those who have ENDOGENIC aka CLINICAL BIOLOGICAL DEPRESSION, it;s NOT a matter of choice?! It's the same as if you told someone to ''not give in to'' diabetes or something like that. For those of us who actually have LEGITIMATE major depressive disorder IT'S NOT A CHOICE! And it's not as simple as ''not wanting to live'', it's not being able to when it affects every goddamn aspect of your body, mind and psyche, it drains you, sucks all life forces out of you to the point where going to the bathroom is an unimaginable feat. Saying we shouldn't ''give in'' is dismissive and ignorant. You're talking about temporary depressive state, NOT about chronic biological depression. Also, what the hell does this even mean ''emotiong dealing with mental health'', you deal with MENTAL ILLNESS, not health, learn to express your thoughts properly. For me, the person with CLINICAL depression, this song is simplistcis and it's borderline shaming person who possibly can't muster energy to ''live their life'' normaly, because it's disease, not a choice! Also, you don't actually know if she has a partner. Also, she's not the only talented intelligent performer, just a look around, there are PLENTY who also don't reduce complex illness to ''you don't want to live, come out of this''. I for example WANT to live, to be able to actually FEEL something and have the energy to do something, yet I can't, not because I ''gave in'' but because this choice was taken away from me even though I fought hard for YEARS!!! We fight so hard, and if we ''fail'', it's not because of lack of trying, and don't shame us for our DISEASE, you don't know what the hell you're talking about. You had BRIEF depressive state, not chronical major depressive disorder, sweetheart.
A. Chill
That’s probably the most soul I’ve heard in someone’s voice since Amy Winehouse. Your heart comes with your voice and your lyrics I appreciate it. You’re the boss applesauce keep up the good work
Joel White
I agree. FKA Twigs is a rare talent too. Holy Terrain. Very different with hip hop infusion but her voice at times is astonishing.