Skin
Peter Hamill Lyrics
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how come everything gets so physical?
With your finger on the pulse
and your head in the clouds
everything's so tactile
in your private world,
in your little world.
under the skin some kind of parasite remains concealed.
Under the skin a true identity, a memory
will soon be revealed, under the skin.
Hit that button, no time to lose –
everything's so immediate.
You'd have it all right now
if you got to choose
in your private world,
such a tiny world.
Under the skin you search for paradise,
under the skin some kind of parasite remains concealed.
Under the skin a true identity, a memory
will soon be revealed, under the skin.
Is something out to get you under the skin?
Full of the promise of paradise?
Paradise now?
Everything gets so physical,
everything's so immediate
in your private world,
such a tiny world.
Under the skin you search for paradise,
under the skin some kind of parasite remains concealed.
Under the skin a true identity, a memory
will soon be revealed, under the skin.
Does something get to you
under the skin?
The lyrics of Peter Hammill's song "Skin" explore the concept of identity and the search for fulfillment in a world focused on physical and immediate gratification. The opening line, "there's a shiver down the spine of the body map," suggests a sense of unease or discomfort with the physical body and the way it is experienced in the world. The repetition of the phrase "under the skin" throughout the song reinforces the idea of a hidden or secret self, and the possibility of discovering something deeper and more meaningful beneath the surface.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of choice and control, particularly in the lines "you'd have it all right now/if you got to choose." The idea that fulfillment or paradise can be accessed immediately, if only one has the power to choose, speaks to the illusion of control that so often accompanies the pursuit of happiness. The song also raises questions about the nature of identity and memory, with the line "a true identity, a memory/will soon be revealed." This suggests that there is a definitive self that exists beyond the surface level, but that it may be obscured or forgotten over time.
Overall, "Skin" is a reflection on the complexities of human identity and the search for meaning and fulfillment in a world that often prizes the physical and the immediate above all else.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a shiver down the spine of the body map...
You feel a sensation of fear or excitement that affects your entire body and map through your nerves.
how come everything gets so physical?
How is it that everything becomes so tangible, material, and corporeal?
With your finger on the pulse
You are aware of the current situation and connected to the heartbeat of the matter.
and your head in the clouds
You are in a dreamlike state and detached from reality.
everything's so tactile
Everything is so touchable and real.
in your private world,
In your personal and secluded reality.
in your little world.
In your small and enclosed version of the world.
Under the skin you search for paradise,
You desire to find your ideal and perfect world beneath your skin's surface.
under the skin some kind of parasite remains concealed.
There is a harmful or destructive entity that hides beneath your skin.
Under the skin a true identity, a memory
Your real character and past experiences are concealed beneath your skin's surface.
will soon be revealed, under the skin.
You will eventually uncover and expose the hidden aspects of yourself.
Hit that button, no time to lose –
You need to act fast and decisively, without wasting any time.
everything's so immediate.
Everything happens instantly and with great urgency.
You'd have it all right now
You could have everything you want at this very moment
if you got to choose
If you had the chance to decide the outcome.
in your private world,
In your own secluded reality.
such a tiny world.
A small and enclosed version of the world where you operate.
Is something out to get you under the skin?
Do you feel that there's a lurking menace beneath your skin?
Full of the promise of paradise?
Are you hopeful for the potential of a perfect world or situation?
Paradise now?
Is paradise a reality at this moment?
Does something get to you
Is there anything that affects or influences you
under the skin?
beneath the surface of your skin?
Everything gets so physical,
Everything becomes so tangible, material, and corporeal.
in your private world,
In your personal and secluded reality.
such a tiny world.
A small and enclosed version of the world where you operate.
Does something get to you
Is there anything that affects or influences you.
under the skin?
beneath the surface of your skin?
Under the skin you search for paradise,
You desire to find your ideal and perfect world beneath your skin's surface.
under the skin some kind of parasite remains concealed.
There is a harmful or destructive entity that hides beneath your skin.
Under the skin a true identity, a memory
Your real character and past experiences are concealed beneath your skin's surface.
will soon be revealed, under the skin.
You will eventually uncover and expose the hidden aspects of yourself.
Contributed by Andrew V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.