Palmer made her acting debut in Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004). She later appeared in the television film The Wool Cap (2004), and had her breakthrough starring in the drama film Akeelah and the Bee (2006). Her debut studio album, So Uncool, was released in 2007, and she progressed as a child actress with roles in Madea's Family Reunion (2006), Jump In! (2007), The Longshots (2008) and Shrink (2009). She played a number of roles on Nickelodeon, such as the title character in the sitcom True Jackson, VP (2008–2011), providing the voice of Aisha in the Nickelodeon revival of Winx Club (2011–2014), and headlining the television film Rags (2012).
Palmer made her transition to mature roles with the VH1 biographical film CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story (2013). From 2014 to 2015 she starred as Ella in Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella on Broadway. She has since starred in television series such as the Fox satirical horror series Scream Queens (2015–2016), the Epix drama series Berlin Station (2017–2019), the slasher series Scream (2019), and the Facebook Watch series Turnt Up with the Taylors (2021) for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award. She also starred in films such as Animal (2014), Pimp (2018), Hustlers (2019) and Jordan Peele's Nope (2022)
Since So Uncool, Palmer has released three EPs: Lauren (2016), Virgo Tendencies, Pt. I (2019) and Virgo Tendencies, Pt. II (2020). She hosted the talk show Just Keke (2014) and co-hosted the talk show Strahan, Sara and Keke (2019–2020), the latter earning her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host.
Skin Deep
Keke Palmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What up
Listen
What you starin' in the mirror for
Tellin' yourself ya ugly
What you wearing those high heels for
When they're torturing your feet (you know they're killing you)
Hiding your pretty face (Uh uh)
Blowin' all your money in that salon
Tryin' to find ya place (no)
In this world you fit in
Or you're out and you're made
To believe
That this is what it's all about
And don't you know
Real beauty shines from within
It's what you wearing under your skin
Your perfect imperfections
Led you in the wrong direction
And made you think
That you are incomplete
But looks are only skin deep
Oh oh yeah yeah
Why you flippin through the magazine
Trying to be those girls (well stop it)
Gettin' all frustrated
But it's not the end of the world (its superficial)
So what if you can't get into a size three
You're beautiful to me (beautiful to me)
Stop trying to be Tyra's top model
Girl go and find your own way to follow
In this world you fit in
Or you're out and you're made
To believe
That this is what it's all about
And don't you know
Real beauty shines from within
It's what you wearing under your skin
Your perfect imperfections
Led you in the wrong direction
And made you think
That you are incomplete
But looks are all your skin deep
From the side walk
To the boardwalk
To the cat walk
Don't talk
About the way you walk
But it's not your fault
So if the girls talk,
Watch you like a hawk
They love to hate
And they can't wait
To get inside
And make you cry
Cry, cry, cry, cry
Just let 'em know
That you made ya own
Now being you is not all wrong
Do ya thang
Let your light shine
They'll come around
In God's time
And if they don't
Just let it be
When they stop being shallow
Then they'll see
Girl, I'm tellin' you (Come on!)
Just be your self!
In this world you fit in
Or you're out and you're made
To believe yeah
That this is what it's all about
And don't you know
Real beauty shines from within
It's what you wearing under your skin
Your perfect imperfections
Led you in the wrong direction
And made you think
That you are incomplete
But looks are only skin deep
Oh Ohh
Yeah
In Keke Palmer's song Skin Deep, the lyrics are an introspective reflection, telling listeners to be true to themselves and not cower to outside pressures or societal beauty standards. She begins by questioning why someone is staring in the mirror feeling insecure and why they wear high heels that hurt their feet. She also questions the excessive use of makeup and money spent on salons, which are often ways to hide one's true appearance.
Palmer goes on to explain that real beauty is not just about outer appearance, but also about one's imperfections and inner qualities that make them unique. The messaging is a reminder to stop trying to be someone else or meet the world's unrealistic standards. The chorus emphasizes that beauty comes from within, and trying to change oneself to fit certain criteria is pointless.
The song encourages individuality and the idea that one can make their own path in life. The ending assures listeners that they will ultimately be accepted and loved for who they are, regardless of society's opinions. Through her lyrics, Palmer aims to empower her audience to be confident and embrace their true selves.
Line by Line Meaning
What up
An informal greeting to start the song.
What up
Repeating the greeting to reinforce the informal style.
Listen
Asking the listener to pay attention to the message of the song.
What you starin' in the mirror for
Questioning the motive behind excessively staring in the mirror.
Tellin' yourself ya ugly
Noticing the tendency to criticize oneself and call oneself ugly.
What you wearing those high heels for
Questioning the practicality of wearing high heels and the level of comfort associated with it.
When they're torturing your feet (you know they're killing you)
Acknowledging the physical discomfort caused by the high heels and the trouble of trying to endure the pain.
Why you puttin' all that make-up on
Questioning the purpose of covering one's natural face with layers of makeup.
Hiding your pretty face (Uh uh)
Noticing that makeup is being used to hide one's true face, which is already beautiful.
Blowin' all your money in that salon
Commenting on the financial burden and time-consuming nature of spending all savings in the salon.
Tryin' to find ya place (no)
Disagreeing with the notion that one will find their place in society by following beauty standards set by others.
In this world you fit in
Acknowledging the societal pressure to fit in.
Or you're out and you're made
Highlighting the fact that those who don't conform to societal standards are often ostracized.
To believe
Indicating that it's a conditional belief imposed by society.
That this is what it's all about
Implying that the primary focus of life should not revolve around superficial beauty standards imposed by society.
And don't you know
Highlighting the fact that there is another way of looking at beauty.
Real beauty shines from within
Stating the message of the song that true beauty comes from one's inner self.
It's what you wearing under your skin
Reinforcing the message that inner beauty is not about clothes, makeup, or jewelry, but about the person's soul and their unique attributes.
Your perfect imperfections
Stating that even the flaws a person has makes them perfect because the imperfections define their uniqueness.
Led you in the wrong direction
Acknowledging the fact that following the societal pressure to meet beauty standards can lead to confusion and insecurity.
And made you think
There is a realization that the focus has been shifted away from true beauty and the flaws have overpowered the person's self-image.
That you are incomplete
Acknowledging the self-doubt that may have been created as a result of the societal pressure to fit beauty standards.
But looks are only skin deep
Emphasizing that physical beauty is superficial and not the defining factor of a person's worth, character, or personality.
Why you flippin through the magazine
Asking the reason for comparing oneself to others, as seen in magazines.
Trying to be those girls (well stop it)
Encouraging to stop comparing oneself to others because it only causes frustration and never-ending self-criticism.
Gettin' all frustrated
Acknowledging the negative emotional impact caused by comparing oneself to others.
But it's not the end of the world (its superficial)
Reassuring that physical appearance is secondary to the real-world problems and emotions.
So what if you can't get into a size three
There's no need to be obsessed with fulfilling a societal-restricted size ideal for clothing style.
You're beautiful to me (beautiful to me)
Indicating that the person is lovable as they are and the need to change or conform is unnecessary.
Stop trying to be Tyra's top model
Aspirations to be the epitome of perfection, as seen in modeled standards are an unnecessary trouble.
Girl go and find your own way to follow
Encouraging to find the route best-suited for them while rejecting societal standards.
From the side walk
Referring to people walking on the side-walks and streets.
To the boardwalk
Referring to people walking by the sea-side boardwalks.
To the cat walk
Referring to people walking on the fashion show runways.
Don't talk
Suggesting not to pay any heed to those critical of one's imperfections.
About the way you walk
Suggesting they should not be judged for their gait or body shape.
But it's not your fault
Stating that the societal pressure to conform to unattainable beauty standards isn't directly the person's fault.
So if the girls talk,
Acknowledging the reality that people will talk negatively.
Watch you like a hawk
Aware that people will be watching their actions closely.
They love to hate
Noticing how people often find faults in others to highlight their own perceived strengths.
And they can't wait
Highlighting the eagerness of people to tear others down.
To get inside
Suggesting that people try to get inside the mind of the person to cause them emotional harm.
And make you cry
Highlighting that these negative comments from people can cause emotional harm.
Cry, cry, cry, cry
Emphasizing continuously on the negative impact their comments can have on a person.
Just let 'em know
Encouraging to address these negative people directly and confront them.
That you made ya own
Stating that the person is unique in their worth, character, and attributes -and, therefore, uncomparable.
Now being you is not all wrong
Emphasizing the importance of being true to one's unique self.
Do ya thang
Encouraging the person to be true to themselves and let their light shine through their unique character.
Let your light shine
Encouraging the person to be confident in expressing who they are and allowing others to see it.
They'll come around
Implies that those who previously criticized or judged will eventually appreciate the person when they’re true to themselves.
In God's time
Suggesting that the person should have patience and trust that God's timing is perfect.
And if they don't
Acknowledging the fact that not everyone will appreciate our unique attributes.
Just let it be
Encouraging the person to let go of the need for external validation and maintain self-confidence.
When they stop being shallow
Suggesting that people who can't appreciate you for who you are alone cannot appreciate genuine beauty.
Then they'll see
Highlighting that those who can't appreciate the person as they are now will eventually change their judgment in the future
Girl, I'm tellin' you (Come on!)
Reiterating the message of the song to remind the listener to embrace their true inner beauty.
Just be yourself!
Ending the song by emphasizing the importance of being authentic and true to oneself.
Oh Ohh
A final musical interlude to signify the end of the song.
Yeah
An interjection to create a feeling of encouragement, and validation, signifying the message is being received by the listener.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KEKE PALMER, LOREAL PALMER, TOBIAS GAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind