The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Soft skin
You touch me within and so I know I could be human once again
I know you're faced with something
That could consume you completely
Soft skin
You touch me once again and somehow it stings
‘Cos I know it is the end
I hate that you're leaving
So why don't you talk to me?
You act like nothing ever happened
But it meant the world to me
And you can't and you can't see the wind in the trees
And you can't and you can't see the wind in the leaves
And you can't and you can't see the weight in the dark
And you can't and you can't see the weight in the heart
Soft skin
I'll have you be near my heart,
Until I feel human
Soft skin
You were never a lie to begin with
So now I'm suffering
You touch me within and so I know I could be human once again
I know you're faced with something
That could consume you completely
Soft skin
You touch me once again and somehow it stings
‘Cos I know it is the end
I hate that you're leaving
So why don't you talk to me?
You act like nothing ever happened
But it meant the world to me
And you can't and you can't see the wind in the trees
And you can't and you can't see the wind in the leaves
And you can't and you can't see the weight in the dark
And you can't and you can't see the weight in the heart
Soft skin
I'll have you be near my heart,
Until I feel human
Soft skin
You were never a lie to begin with
So now I'm suffering
Lyrics submitted by heartisonfire, edited by Stockholm
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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this song is beautiful.
Truly beautiful and heartbreaking song. She's talking about something I've experienced in life... It makes me happy.
To me, this sounds like it's the story of someone who's breaking up a relationship. And while the singer's hurting really bad, because the other person was obviously really important to them, their partner just doesn't care. It sounds like it was just another story to him/her.
"And you can't and you can't see the wind in the trees And you can't and you can't see the wind in the leaves And you can't and you can't see the weight in the dark And you can't and you can't see the weight in the heart" it means this person can't see how much he's hurting the singer, in leaving them. "You were never a lie to begin with So now I'm suffering" because this person never made any promises. the singer just assumed they cared but in reality they didn't, and the singer's the only one to blame.
Might have something to do with continuing to be intimate with someone even though permanent separation is imminent and inevitable. Also about her partner being blind to the gravity of the situation for her. She's suffering and he isn't, not in the same way at least. Her being upset about a partner's emotional distance seems to be a theme found in Symphonia IX as well.
Beautiful song, I feel she is in love with someone who she is intimate with, and she has feelings for him but he doesn't care. Very heartbreaking actually
To me, this piece revolves around unrequited love/affection which seems to constitute a frequent theme in Grimes' songs.
"Soft skin You touch me within and so I know I could be human once again" It seems as if the singer was enchanted with the newly discovered kind of intimacy, or maybe just the special, sensual connection they share with their love interest. His skin is soft; he is the person to whom she opens, around whom she is able to throw off all the conventions and appearances she normally keeps up; in their moments of tenderness and intimacy she is able to feel safe enough and close to him to free herself from some sort of numbness and impersonality (possibly a result of a trauma or bad experiences). She can feel human.
"I know you're faced with something That could consume you completely." She can see that there is something consuming his thoughts; he has got his issues and demons he has to face. She realises this can possibly absorb all his attention and therefore make him unavailable emotionally in the way she'd like him to be.
"Soft skin You touch me once again and somehow it stings 'Cause I know it is the end." Still mesmerised by the moments of sensuality they share but this time she cannot enjoy it as much; the feeling of sadness breaks through every now and then as she knows their relationship is soon and inevitably to be over.
"I hate that you're leaving So why don't you talk to me? You act like nothing ever happened But it meant the world to me" She doesn't want it to be over, she doesn't want him to leave and she feels confused and hurt - she wishes she could at least talk to him about it but he doesn't seem eager to; he seems to be able to just shake it all off and not care too much but what happened was in fact very important to the singer, probably even changed her life.
"And you can't and you can't see the wind in the trees And you can't and you can't see the wind in the leaves And you can't and you can't see the weight in the dark And you can't and you can't see the weight in the heart" Her feeling of sadness and the weight of the entire emotional package involved are somewhat in the air but yet this isn't something tangible; this isn't something they can recognise, name and talk about. He does not realise how much she hurts and she remains silent as the wind in the trees and leaves.
"Soft skin I'll have you be near my heart, Until I feel human" She will keep the memory of him and their closeness in order to remember how it feels to be human: to be that close with somebody, to be that free. She will use the experience to sort herself out emotionally and know herself better.
"Soft skin You were never a lie to begin with So now I'm suffering" As somebody's already mentioned, he never made any promises, he probably never wanted to hurt her; she got involved with him to her own responsibility and knowing the situation. She never explained that in fact she felt hurt. Now the weight and suffering are only hers.
It's talking about an abortion.