Beneath the Skin
State of Being Lyrics


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Floating along down a river of waste
As the world crumbles around me
My stomach cries out from the taste
Of what man has come to be
Names and styles so overrated
Like a pestilence surround me
The soul that lies beneath the skin
Is much more than you can see

The Montagues and Capulets
Let egos kill their children
But picket fence can't block it out
They traded love for sin
The sun, the bombs, the SUVs
They cast their death on me
But SPF can't fend it off
In the ground's the place to be

Beneath the skin - your real face
Beneath the skin - to a deeper place
Beneath the skin - your bleeding heart
Beneath the skin - let the bleeding start...

Vanity is your therapy
As you decorate your skin
Everyday - just here to play
Ashamed to look within
Too high on your own esteem
To face your own failed dreams
Living through your children's eyes
The same mistakes again

Beneath the skin - your real face
Beneath the skin - to a deeper place
Beneath the skin - your bleeding heart
Beneath the skin - let the bleeding start

But you drown it out
Live in the "real" world
You found it out




Told what to feel
Beneath the skin

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to State of Being’s “Beneath the Skin” convey a sobering reflection on the state of humanity amidst the chaos of the modern world. The opening lines express a sense of aimlessness and futility, as the singer describes floating down a “river of waste” while the world crumbles around them. The callousness of man’s actions is noted through the metaphor of the taste of waste in the stomach, indicating a visceral disgust with man’s pollution and disregard for the planet. The chorus encourages listeners to explore what lies “beneath the skin”, suggesting a deeper, hidden aspect of people that can’t be seen by appearances alone. The second verse takes a more critical tone, lamenting humanity’s tendency towards vanity and avoidance of introspection. The lines “too high on your own esteem / to face your own failed dreams” drive home the idea that many people are content to live superficially rather than embracing the complexity of their own thoughts and emotions. The final lines of the song suggest a degree of disassociation from the so-called “real” world, as if the true reality lies within oneself.


Overall, “Beneath the Skin” is a song that challenges listeners to think more deeply about their place in the world and the forces that shape them. The lyrics encourage us to look beyond the surface level and explore what might be hiding beneath our own skin. The song’s message feels especially resonant in today’s cultural climate, where many people feel disconnected from one another and unsure of their own identities. Perhaps by confronting our own fears and insecurities, we can begin to build a more just and fulfilling world for ourselves and others.


Line by Line Meaning

Floating along down a river of waste
Feeling lost and directionless amidst the chaos and destruction in the world.


As the world crumbles around me
As the world falls apart and deteriorates rapidly, leaving one feeling helpless and overwhelmed.


My stomach cries out from the taste
Feeling physically sick and disgusted by the state of the world and humanity's actions.


Of what man has come to be
Expressing disappointment and disillusionment with human beings as a whole.


Names and styles so overrated
Seeing the superficiality and emptiness in trends and materialism.


Like a pestilence surround me
Feeling suffocated and overwhelmed by the shallow and meaningless aspects of society.


The soul that lies beneath the skin
Believing that true beauty and depth lies beyond physical appearance and societal standards.


Is much more than you can see
Highlighting the importance of looking beyond superficiality to appreciate substance and inner beauty.


The Montagues and Capulets
Referencing the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet to illustrate the destructive and rebellious nature of human egos.


Let egos kill their children
Emphasizing how pride and stubbornness can lead to tragic consequences.


But picket fence can't block it out
Acknowledging that material possessions and societal norms cannot protect us from the harsh realities of the world.


They traded love for sin
Describing how society has become consumed with greed, lust, and corruption at the expense of genuine love and morality.


The sun, the bombs, the SUVs
Listing examples of the various harmful elements present in society, including dangerous weapons and environmentally harmful transportation.


They cast their death on me
Feeling the negative effects of society's destructive tendencies, which can harm innocent individuals.


But SPF can't fend it off
Acknowledging that we cannot always protect ourselves from the negative effects of society.


In the ground's the place to be
Suggesting that perhaps death and returning to the earth may be a relief from the pain and suffering of living in society.


Beneath the skin - your real face
Encouraging others to look beyond physical appearances to see a person's true character and inner beauty.


Beneath the skin - to a deeper place
Urging individuals to explore their own depth and seek true substance beyond superficiality.


Beneath the skin - your bleeding heart
Highlighting the emotional depth and compassion that exists within each individual, hidden beneath the surface.


Beneath the skin - let the bleeding start...
Encouraging individuals to embrace and express their emotions, allowing themselves to be vulnerable and authentic.


Vanity is your therapy
Suggesting that some individuals use their appearance as a coping mechanism or distraction from their inner pain.


As you decorate your skin
Describing how some individuals use makeup, tattoos, or other modifications to their bodies as a way to enhance their physical appearance and cover up their inner struggles.


Everyday - just here to play
Feeling as though life is superficial and lacking meaning, only existing for temporary pleasures and distractions.


Ashamed to look within
Feeling guilty or uncomfortable with exploring one's own emotions, self-reflection, and true desires.


Too high on your own esteem
Being overly self-confident or arrogant, causing one to overlook their own flaws and weaknesses.


To face your own failed dreams
Avoiding the pain of coming to terms with past mistakes, disappointments, and failures.


Living through your children's eyes
Placing too much pressure on one's children to fulfill their own unfulfilled dreams, instead of allowing them to develop their own identities and passions.


The same mistakes again
Repeating past behaviors and patterns that have led to negative consequences and pain.


But you drown it out
Ignoring one's own emotions and inner turmoil in favor of distractions or denial.


Live in the "real" world
Feeling pressure to conform to societal norms and values, even if they conflict with one's own beliefs and values.


You found it out
Having come to the realization that society and its values may not align with one's own vision of a meaningful and fulfilling life.


Told what to feel
Feeling oppressed or invalidated by societal pressures to conform and suppress one's own emotions and experiences.


Beneath the skin
A recurring theme throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of looking deeper and beyond surface-level appearances to see true beauty, depth, and emotion.




Contributed by Henry H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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