Skin

When I heard that sound When the walls came down I was thinking about you About you When my skin grows old When my breath runs cold I'll be thinking about you About you Seconds from my heart A bullet from the dark Helpless, I surrender Shackled by your love Holding me like this With poison on your lips Only when it's over The silence hits so hard 'Cause it was almost love, it was almost love It was almost love, it was almost love When I heard that sound When the walls came down I was thinking about you About you When my skin grows old When my breath runs cold I'll be thinking about you About you When I run out of air to breathe It's your ghost I see I'll be thinking about you, about you It was almost love, it was almost... We bleed ourselves in vain How tragic is this game? Turn around, I'm holding on to someone But the love is gone Carrying the load, with wings that feel like stone Knowing that we nearly fell so far now It's hard to tell Yeah we came so close, it was almost love It was almost love, it was almost love When I heard that sound When the walls came down I was thinking about you About you When my skin grows old When my breath runs cold I'll be thinking about you About you When I run out of air to breathe It's your ghost I see I'll be thinking about you, about you While I reached out for your hand When the walls were caving in When I see you on the other side We can try all over again When I heard that sound When the walls came down I was thinking about you About you When my skin grows old When my breath runs cold I'll be thinking about you About you When I run out of air to breathe It's your ghost I see I'll be thinking about you About you 'Cause it was almost love, it was almost love It was almost love, it was almost love

Composer: Jerome Williams, Rory Charles Graham, Jonny Coffer, Daniel Bryer, Jamie Scott, Michael David Needle

In-depth Analysis of 'Skin' by Rag'n'Bone Man

'Skin' by Rag'n'Bone Man is a profoundly moving and introspective ballad that delves into the lingering pain of a love that was "almost." Released in 2017 from his acclaimed album 'Human', the song captures the essence of regret and an unbreakable emotional bond, even in absence.

Central Themes Explored:

Enduring Memory & Loss: The opening lines "When I heard that sound / When the walls came down / I was thinking about you" immediately set a tone of catastrophic loss, yet the thought of the beloved persists through life's most defining moments, from youth ("When my skin grows old / When my breath runs cold") to the very end. This highlights an eternal, almost haunting, connection.
The 'Almost' Love: The recurring chorus "it was almost love" encapsulates the central tragedy. It speaks to a relationship that came agonizingly close to fulfillment but ultimately fell short, leaving a void filled with what-ifs and unfulfilled potential. It’s a love that existed in a liminal space, powerful yet incomplete.
Emotional Warfare & Surrender: Phrases like "A bullet from the dark," "Helpless, I surrender," and "poison on your lips" paint a picture of a love that was intense, perhaps toxic, and left the narrator vulnerable and wounded. The struggle is palpable, but the deep attachment prevents full detachment.
Existential Reflection: The lyrics "When I run out of air to breathe / It's your ghost I see" introduce a strong sense of the beloved's spectral presence, even in moments of near-death or profound despair, reinforcing the idea that this love, though unfulfilled, is deeply ingrained in the narrator's being.

Emotions and Atmosphere:

The song is drenched in a melancholic and reflective atmosphere. Rag'n'Bone Man's powerful, soulful vocals amplify the raw emotion, conveying a sense of deep yearning, sorrow, and a quiet, almost resigned, acceptance of this enduring heartache. It evokes empathy for anyone who has experienced a profound, nearly perfect love that somehow didn't quite make it.

Ultimately, 'Skin' is a poignant exploration of how some loves, even when incomplete, leave an indelible mark on our souls, becoming a part of our very fabric, thinking about that person "until my skin grows old."

Q&A & Fun Facts: 'Skin' by Rag'n'Bone Man

What is the main theme of Rag'n'Bone Man's 'Skin'?

'Skin' primarily explores the themes of enduring love, loss, and the pain of a relationship that was "almost"—meaning it came close to being complete but ultimately fell short. It reflects on how a significant, intense connection can leave a lasting impact, even after it ends.

What does the phrase "it was almost love" signify in the song?

The phrase "it was almost love" suggests a powerful, deep connection that nearly became a fully realized, stable relationship but didn't quite reach that point. It speaks to the regret and lingering heartache of what could have been, highlighting the tragedy of a love that was intensely felt but ultimately unfulfilled.

What do "When the walls came down" and "When my skin grows old" symbolize?

"When the walls came down" likely symbolizes a significant, possibly traumatic, life event or the end of a protective emotional barrier, while "When my skin grows old / When my breath runs cold" represents the passage of time and the approach of death. Both phrases emphasize that through all life's trials and even at its very end, the memory and thought of this "almost love" persist.

Fun Facts about 'Skin':

'Skin' was released in 2017 as part of Rag'n'Bone Man's debut studio album, 'Human (Deluxe)'.
The song is notable for its raw emotional delivery and Rag'n'Bone Man's powerful, distinctive baritone voice, which enhances the track's somber and reflective atmosphere.