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"Skin Song" is a song written and performed by Bat For Lashes, released on a compilation album titled Body Of Songs, a collection of 10 songs by some of the UK’s best artists, inspired by the body’s organs. It was released as the first song off the album on 10 July 2014.[1]
Background[]
Fascinated by the life saving properties of touch to our wellbeing and development as children, Natasha chose the skin. She explored diseased skin at the Gordon Museum of Pathology with experts, Dr Laura Casey and Dr Ian Proctor.[2]
With Professor Fiona Watt, Director of the King’s Centre for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, she discovered that skin cells are highly regenerative, moving through the dermis to the outer layer, dying and being remade at high speed.[2]
Body Of Songs
The album's trailer in which shows Natasha working closely with doctors
With Dr Fiona Jeffries, psychologist at the Dermatology Department at Great Ormond Street Hospital, she considered the psychological impact of limited touch, particularly for children who suffer from skin conditions which cause altered skin appearance.[2]
“The song is from the perspective of an old lady looking back on her life through thoughts of the history in her skin.
We laid out initial parts by following a diagram of a cross section of the layers of skin. Some synths were a hair or the skin cells that sit like bricks, and we used a heart beat pulse for the beat, and electronic sounds for nerve endings.
I also used my skin as percussion that was turned up in volume so you can hear it!”
Audio[]
Lyrics[]
I'm a little older now
There's scars and there are frowns
There's memories in the dust
The skin that I live in is cool and paper-thin
It's got a swan song to sing
I've blushed and I have bruised
Felt the passing of youth
I've bled and I have healed
Held babes in my arms
Counted lovers, counted scars
The prayers when I had you
Cause I have my time
It dances in the skin when I smile
And for the years that pass me by
My body's an old good friend of mine
And when the nerves are warmed
In tiny hairs and rows
In cells that call my name
I feel those echoes out
And you are in the scars under my shirt again
Cause I have my time
It dances in the skin when I smile
And for the years that pass me by
My body's an old good friend of mine
My body's an old good friend of mine
References[]
- ↑ Minsker, Evan (10 July 2014). "Bat For Lashes Shares "Skin Song"". Pitchfork.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Bat For Lashes". Bodyofsongs.co.uk.