Shedding Skin was about me being in my 20s and any girlfriend, lady-friend of mine trying to tie me down at that age, at that particular time. Basically, ‘lay off, right now.’ A relationship with me? A serious relationship with me at that age? Forget it, fuck off. Really, it’s impossible.
-Phil Ans...
[Verse 1]
I don't want you to look at me
While I'm shedding skin
I can't afford for you
To see what's in
I'd rather shoot myself
Than have you watch me
I feel you'd steal my skin
To try and wear me
[Pre-Chorus 1]
I was betrayed, one more day of my short life
You were carried away, you had no shame
To suffocate my being
I was me, but you weren't you
You were sticking to me like a scab...
So I peeled you away, and bled for days
Then stepped out of myself
[Chorus]
I'm shedding skin
Changing within, falling in
Through swollen eyes
I'd dreamed you died, caught inside
I'm shedding skin
Spreading thin, severed stem
I created the end, killing a friend
I'm shedding my skin
[Verse 2]
I don't think you belong in here
I feel I'm sick
Don't ask, because you know damn well
Where I've been
I've kept a simple woman through
The thick and thin
But I've found the guts to sever from
My Siamese twin
[Pre-Chorus 2]
I throw you away every day
A dead part of life
Strangling back, seething black
In between my longing for torture
Blood on my face that came from your face
A mix of kissing and bleeding
I put you away, I shut you away
I pissed you away, I threw you away
[Chorus]
I'm shedding skin
Changing within, falling in
Through swollen eyes
I'd dreamed you died, caught inside
I'm shedding skin
Spreading thin, severed stem
I created the end, killing a friend
I'm shedding my skin
[Bridge 1]
You're fucking and sucking
You're friendless, it's endless
Your flower has soured
It's endless, you're friendless
It's harder and stronger
But no one's been inside you longer
And harder and deeper
To get you off, you need the fear
The fear, the fear, the fear, the fear
[Bridge 2]
It's never love, bloody touch
Broken wrist, needle rust
Choking throat, swallowed teeth
Headfuck, no peace
[Refrain]
I'm shedding my skin
To peel you off of me
You've got to love me
[Guitar Solo]
[Bridge 3]
Ornament
Shrunken head
Playtoy
Snake strike
Poisonous
Syphilis
Drenched me
Soaked me
[Outro]
I'm shedding my skin
To drain you out of me
You've got to hate me
[Instrumental Outro]
Shedding Skin was written by Rex Brown & Dimebag Darrell & Vinnie Paul & Phil Anselmo.
Shedding Skin was produced by Vinnie Paul & Dimebag Darrell & Phil Anselmo & Rex Brown & Terry Date.
Pantera released Shedding Skin on Tue Mar 22 1994.