Sade – Skin Lyrics

Sade · Soldier Of Love

R&B

When I found out this love's undone
I was like a gun, sure as it was over
Felt like nothing good could come

Sure as it's gonna play and play
Like Michael back in the day

I'm gonna peel you away

Now as I begin to wash you off my skin
I'm gonna peel you away
'Cause you're not right within

I love you so
Sometimes love has to let go

So this time don't think it's a lie
I say goodbye

Now as I begin to wash you off my skin
I'm gonna peel you away
'Cause you're not right within

Now it's time to wash you off my skin

Now as I begin, it couldn't be right
'Cause you're not right within

I say goodbye

About This Song

"Skin" is a haunting ballad about the painful process of emotionally detaching from a toxic relationship, using the metaphor of washing someone off one's skin to represent the difficulty of removing their psychological hold. The song explores themes of self-preservation and the paradox of loving someone while recognizing they're harmful, culminating in the painful but necessary act of letting go. Musically, it showcases Sade's signature smooth soul style with sparse, atmospheric production that allows her vulnerable vocals to carry the emotional weight of the lyrics. The track stands out for its mature perspective on love's complexities, acknowledging that sometimes the most loving act is walking away, delivered with the sophisticated restraint that made Sade's return album after a decade-long hiatus so compelling.

Comments (6)

Anonymous 2010-02-10 14:04:00

"I was like a gun" meaning she was upset and very much out of control and ballistic at the end of that relationship."felt like nothing good could come", meaning that her perspective on what happened was clouded at that moment that anything could happen even the worse"sure is gonna play and play" meaning that is going to take a while to get over that relationship. "I am going to peal you away" I will get over you, "cause you are not right within" because is not meant to be.
Anonymous 2010-02-13 20:38:00

thanks for your perspective - very helpful to consider your insights. I am applying this to the recognition that relationships with "aspects" of self must come to an end too. We must "peel away" that part of us that is not right within. Peace and Blessings.
Anonymous 2010-02-16 21:55:00

I love this song. I think the lyrics are so beautiful. It was my favorite the first time I listened to this album. Do you think she's referring to Michael Jackson when she sings these lines?;Sure as it's gonna play and play Like Michael back in the day I immediately thought that. I think it's great.
Anonymous 2010-02-19 20:27:00

Sade, I love you thank you for the beautiful music you have always created. Since the eighties I've been listening. You have really got me through some tough times. Your music takes me to another place. It was my escape.
Anonymous 2010-04-05 13:09:00

Very personal as usual! Thank You Sade for AFTER SOOO LONG letting back into your world!
Joyce Kovar 2011-09-10 14:07:00

I love the rhythm of this song and add the words and its, as always from Sade, beautiful poetry written by an insightful person who knows just how to capture the feeling of a moment and put it into words. I interpret the line about Michael to be about Michael Jackson as I hear his characteristic 'whoop' at the end of the line. :)