L.A. Guns are a glam metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1983. The lineu… Read Full Bio ↴L.A. Guns are a glam metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1983. The lineup currently consists of Tracii Guns (lead guitar), Phil Lewis (lead vocals), Ace Von Johnson (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Johnny Martin (bass, backing vocals), Adam Hamilton (studio drums) and Shawn Duncan (live drums). The first incarnation of the group was formed by Tracii Guns and Rob Gardner in 1983 and merged with fellow Los Angeles group, Hollywood Rose, to form Guns N' Roses in March 1985. After only a brief tenure in that band, Guns reformed L.A. Guns with a new lineup, consisting of Paul Black, Mick Cripps, Robert Stoddard, and Nickey Alexander. Black would soon be replaced by former Girl singer Phil Lewis while former Faster Pussycat bassist Kelly Nickels was added to the group. Later, Alexander would be replaced by former W.A.S.P. drummer Steve Riley with this being known as the "classic lineup" of L.A. Guns. They achieved moderate chart success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, the group went through numerous lineup changes (with Riley being the most consistent member) and failed to regain mainstream attention.

The "classic lineup" of the group would reunite in 1999 and began recording new material. However, the group continued to change lineups and Guns eventually left to form the hard rock supergroup Brides of Destruction with Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe in 2002. L.A. Guns continued without Guns, bringing in guitarist Stacey Blades, however, following his decision to put Brides of Destruction on hiatus in 2006, Guns formed The Tracii Guns Band. The group's lineup consisted of former L.A. Guns members Black, Alexander as well as Jeremy Guns (though the lineup would eventually change), with the group eventually changing their name to L.A. Guns. Both groups continued to record and tour under the L.A. Guns moniker until 2012, when the Tracii Guns-led version of the group disbanded. Riley died in 2023.

L.A. Guns (feat. Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis) released a new single "Let You Down" on May 6, 2020. It was released as the first single from their then-upcoming fourteenth studio album Checkered Past, which was released on November 12, 2021, and featured producer Adam Hamilton on drums.

In May 2022, it was announced that Shawn Duncan had replaced Shane Fitzgibbon as their drummer. In the following month, guitarist Ace Von Johnson revealed that L.A. Guns had been working on new material for their next studio album. The resulting album, Black Diamonds, was released on April 14, 2023.

Skin
L.A. Guns Lyrics

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In my hour of weakness
This hunger burns
Stand close, feel the energy
One stolen kiss is all I need
Is it hot in here
Or is it just me

Blind lead the blind

I can hear it all the time
Blind lead the blind
What the color of your second
Skin

Got the prettiest face we've ever seen
Dark angel eyes burn black as night
Skin soft as Chinese silk
Wrapped up so perfect for my delight

Blind lead the blind
I can hear it all the time
Blind lead the blind
What the color of your second
Skin

What's that picture of your face
Velvet touch we all embrace
Believe in you believe in me
All I need is what I see

Blind lead the blind
I can hear it all the time
Blind lead the blind

What the color of your second
Skin

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of L.A. Guns's song Skin describe a lustful desire for someone's physical appearance, specifically their skin. The singer is in a moment of weakness and hunger, and a stolen kiss is all they need to feel satisfied. The opening lines, "In my hour of weakness / This hunger burns," suggest that the singer is struggling with their desire and craving for the person's skin. The lines "Got the prettiest face we've ever seen / Dark angel eyes burn black as night / Skin soft as Chinese silk / Wrapped up so perfect for my delight" further emphasize the singer's fixation on physical beauty.

The repetition of "Blind lead the blind" throughout the song suggests that both the singer and the subject of their desire are blinded by their fixation on physical appearances. The line "What the color of your second skin" references the idea that skin is like a second layer of clothing, highlighting how the singer is fixated on someone's exterior appearance rather than their personality or character.

The line "Believe in you believe in me / All I need is what I see" further emphasizes the shallow nature of the singer's desire, suggesting that they only value the physical appearance of the person they desire rather than their inner qualities or personality.

Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of superficial, physical desire that is based solely on appearance and lacks any depth or connection with the person as a whole.

Line by Line Meaning

In my hour of weakness
During times of vulnerability

This hunger burns
A deep and intense desire

Stand close, feel the energy
Being physically near and sensing attraction

One stolen kiss is all I need
A brief moment of intimacy is satisfying

Is it hot in here
Feeling warm or aroused

Blind lead the blind
People who lack understanding guide others who also lack understanding

I can hear it all the time
This is a constant pattern

What the color of your second Skin
Asking about the true nature of someone's character

Got the prettiest face we've ever seen
Physical appearance is stunning

Dark angel eyes burn black as night
Eyes that look beautiful yet dangerous

Skin soft as Chinese silk
Skin that feels delicate and smooth