Salt Skin by Ellie Goulding Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Poetic Depths of an Atmospheric Anthem
Lyrics
That is no way to live that is no way to love
Full of fear in your skin and the weakness in giving in
Your stabbed in the back but you feel no pain
Push the heaviest doors that you can’t open
Yeah they tied me up and my body lies still, again
You’re as bright as the sun and as calm as the wind
I don’t know when you’ll break but it’s gonna be soon
If my will caves in, I’ll be in the same boat as you
I’ve got the salt skin
Running to where he is
Never going to give in
Even with the strength
He’s stealing salt skin
Telling me I’m winning
Wars they created
Just to understand
The meaning (of)
Hands on strings and my mouth open
Find the perfect words that I’ve not spoken
And I won’t tell the truth unless you want me to
For all of the times that I lost my head
When it rolled to the floor and I found it again
But when it came back,
I didn’t know my own name
I’ve got the salt skin
Running to where he is
Never going to give in
Even with the strength
He’s stealing salt skin
Telling me I’m winning
Wars they created
Just to understand
The meaning (of)
Of, of
I’ve got the salt skin
Running to where he is
Never going to give in
Even with the strength
He’s stealing salt skin
Telling me I’m winning
Wars they created
Just to understand
I’ve got the salt skin
Running to where he is
Never going to give in
Even with the strength
He’s stealing salt skin
Telling me I’m winning
Wars they created
Just to understand
The meaning (of)
Ellie Goulding’s ‘Salt Skin’ emerges as one of those tracks that, much like the layers of a briny abyss, reveals more upon each encounter. With an ethereal soundscape that defies the confines of electronic pop, Goulding offers us a glimpse into a narrative as piercing as it is enigmatic.
Diving into the fabric of ‘Salt Skin,’ one finds an intricate blend of vulnerability and resilience, set against the backdrop of a relentless quest for self-reckoning. What follows is an unraveling of the song’s poetic tapestry, weaving through themes of love, self-awareness, and the indomitable spirit that pulses beneath the ‘salt skin’ of its narrative protagonist.
The Semblance of Sharpness and Resilience
The song opens with a metaphorical play of contrasts—sharpness and comfort intertwined, epitomizing a relationship that’s both incisive and fitting. Yet, Goulding quickly dispels the illusion, asserting this state as neither livable nor lovable. It’s a powerful intro, encapsulating the discordant nature of a bond that cuts yet conforms.
This opening salvo sets the stage for a relentless examination of fear wrapped under skin—a metaphor perhaps for the visceral reactions to giving into weaker instincts, where betrayal leaves no wounds because numbness has set in. And so, the ‘heaviest doors’ become a symbol for opportunities unattainable or emotions suppressed, haloed with the song’s beguiling rhythm.
Basking in the Luminosity of Self-Prophecy
Artistry in lyricism shines when Goulding contrasts brightness and calm with an impending break—a dichotomy representing an inner turmoil ready to rupture. The specter of mental collapse juxtaposed with the serenity of the elements crafts an atmospheric tension within the narrative.
This highlights the delicate tightrope the song’s subject walks on, where the potential for collapse is ever-present. The ‘same boat’ is a shared vulnerability, a communal headspace where ‘will’ is but gossamer-thin, suggesting the fragility of human resolve.
Chasing Shadows – The Enigma of ‘Salt Skin’
One can’t help but ponder the enigmatic chorus phrase ‘I’ve got the salt skin’—a phrase reverberating with the sting of sweat or tears, the remnants of harsh truths, and the evidence of exertion. It’s a distinctive badge of experience carried through the journey of life.
Running to someone, never giving in, despite being drained of one’s ‘salt skin,’ sketches a tale of persistence in the face of emotional theft. It’s about owning one’s tribulations, a refusal to succumb before the wars of others—real or metaphorical. Goulding’s vocal determination is equally a plea and manifesto for self-discovery.
The Courage to Singe with Truth
The verse ‘Hands on strings and my mouth open’ suggests a moment of poised creation—perhaps a songstress ready to strike chords of honesty. It whispers the trials of expression, of finding the courage to voice what remains unsaid, unless the truth is summoned. It’s a vulnerable admission of the struggle in articulation.
Then, there’s the haunting image of a ‘lost head.’ It’s a lineage of confrontation and disorientation, the ebb and flow of understanding oneself, which can be as dizzying as it is enlightening. Reuniting with one’s identity often means bearing the scars with acceptance and marching onward.
Echoing Through the Battles Within
‘Wars they created just to understand the meaning’—this line resonates deeply with the idea of manufactured conflicts, whether through societal norms or internal demons. Goulding suggests there is an inherent struggle placed upon us to grasp our essence, a battle we wage to piece together our idiosyncrasies and traits.
The refrain of ‘salt skin’ thus becomes an anthem for those weathering the trials of aligning with the self, a beacon for weathering self-imposed and external battles. Each mention of ‘winning’ is as ambiguous as it is triumphant, leaving listeners to ponder the spoils of these personal victories.
