Skin After Skin

[INTRO]

[VERSE 1 — THE WIFE]
Modest neckline, temple-ready smile
Learned the hymns, I sold it for a while
Casserole on Sunday, scripture study Monday night
Folded all my edges till I fit inside the light
But the garments itch and the prayers don't land
And the woman in the mirror's someone else's plan
Held it together for a year, maybe two
Turns out holy only works if it's true

[CHORUS 1]
Skin after skin after skin
Peel it back and see what's underneath
Skin after skin after skin
Every time I shed one I can breathe
I'm not running from the woman I was
I'm just bored of wearing her to death
Skin after skin after skin
Who's next?

[VERSE 2 — THE MOTHER]
Tried to build a baby like I build everything
Force of will and scheduling and needles in the spring
Wanted it so bad I could taste the nursery paint
Turns out wanting isn't making and my body had complaints
Doctor said the odds, I said the odds are wrong
Did it twice, did it broke, did it sad, did it long
Sat in a parking lot and punched the steering wheel
And decided motherhood was one more skin that wouldn't seal

[CHORUS 2]
Skin after skin after skin
Peel it back and see what's underneath
Skin after skin after skin
Every time I shed one I can breathe
I'm not mourning all the women I tried
I'm just clearing out the closet in my chest
Skin after skin after skin
Who's next?

[VERSE 3 — THE GHOST QUEEN]
Black lace, silver rings, a cemetery walk
Traded hymns for Trent Reznor and the way the dead don't talk
Found the museum and I found the man who runs it
Rich and famous and untouchable — I'll fix that, give me a minute
New name, new game, paranormal queen
I can talk to ghosts, I can sell a scream
Got the guest spot, got the camera, got the angle
Every episode I'm closer to the man I want to strangle
With attention
Just attention
That's all I want from him

[BRIDGE]
You want to know why I keep changing?

Because if I stand still long enough
Somebody figures out the last version was a lie
And I'd rather be new than be caught

And him? He's the audience I was built for
Rich, famous, impossible
The only man in the room I can't make look at me
Yet

[FINAL CHORUS]
Skin after skin after skin
Peel it back, there's always something new
Skin after skin after skin
I can be whoever gets me through
I'm not lost and I'm not broken, baby
I'm a wardrobe with a pulse and a plan
Skin after skin after skin
I'm every woman that I am