Skin Shed
Kristin Kontrol Lyrics

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Skin shed on the radio
And I've bled over telephone
(I know you're scared)
Skin shed, skin shed, skin shed on the radio
(c'mon and cut me)
And I've bled over telephone
(c'mon and you'll see)
What does this life leave unscathed

And how much heartbreak can you take
I peel my skin down to the bone
I am no good when I'm alone
Skin shed on the radio
(c'mon and cut me)
And I've bled over telephone
(c'mon and you'll see)
Living so much on a prayer
The self dissipates in air
Is my voice really this soft
So ephemeral it's lost

(I know it's hard)
Skin shed on the radio
(c'mon and cut me)
I've bled over telephone
(c'mon and you'll see)
There's always something
Stopping me
From getting to you
There's always something
Stopping me
From getting to you
Skin shed on the radio
(Just like Stevie said)
And I've bled over telephone
(Just like Nina Simone said)
Skin shed on the radio
(Just like Stevie said)

And I've bled over telephone
(Just like Nina Simone said)

Overall Meaning

The song "Skin Shed" by Kristin Kontrol is an emotionally raw and introspective journey about the struggles of a person trying to come to terms with their own identity and the constant pressure of societal expectations. The lyrics "Skin shed on the radio" and "And I've bled over the telephone" suggest the brutal and painful process of shedding one's skin and trying to find oneself in the process. The singer is asking for someone to cut them and see, and they feel like they are not good when they are alone.

The song talks about the constant battle of life, which leaves one unscathed, and each heartbreak takes a toll. The lines "Living so much on a prayer, the self dissipates in air" express that the singer is trying hard to hold on to something that seems to be slipping away. The final verses in the song seem to be an appeal to someone or something that's preventing the singer from finding themselves completely. The lines "There's always something stopping me from getting to you" are repeated twice, and it seems that the singer wants to break free from the chains of societal expectations.

Overall, "Skin Shed" is an intense and emotional song that explores the struggle of self-discovery and finding oneself.

Line by Line Meaning

Skin shed on the radio
The artist's music is being broadcasted on the radio for all to hear.

And I've bled over telephone
The artist has poured her heart out over the phone to somebody.

(I know you're scared)
The artist acknowledges that the person she’s speaking to is scared or frightened.

Skin shed, skin shed, skin shed on the radio
The lyric is being repeated to emphasize that the artist's music is currently on the radio.

(c'mon and cut me)
The artist is asking her listener to metaphorically cut her, to hurt her in some way.

(c'mon and you'll see)
The artist is urging whoever she's speaking to hurt her so that they can better understand her pain.

What does this life leave unscathed
The artist rhetorically questions if there's anything in life that doesn't leave a mark or wound.

And how much heartbreak can you take
The artist wonders how much emotional pain and suffering someone can handle.

I peel my skin down to the bone
The artist is metaphorically stripping down to her core self, exposing all of her deepest feelings and insecurities.

I am no good when I'm alone
The artist is stating that she struggles when she's by herself and needs someone to be with her.

Living so much on a prayer
The artist is living on hope alone and doesn't have much else to rely on.

The self dissipates in air
The artist feels like her sense of self is slowly disappearing and she's losing control.

Is my voice really this soft
The artist is questioning if her voice is too gentle and if she needs to be louder or more assertive.

So ephemeral it's lost
The artist's voice is so gentle and fleeting that it's easily forgotten or ignored.

(I know it's hard)
The artist acknowledges that whatever she's talking about is difficult or painful for the listener.

There's always something stopping me From getting to you
The artist feels like there's always an obstacle or barrier preventing her from getting close to someone.

(Just like Stevie said)
The artist is referencing Stevie Nicks' song 'Edge of Seventeen,' which was also about shedding skin and rebirth.

(Just like Nina Simone said)
The artist is referencing Nina Simone's song 'Feeling Good,' in which Simone sings about feeling free and reborn.

Writer(s): Kristin Welchez

Contributed by Ryan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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