Ravyn Lenae ‘ Skin Tight’ Before I Leave, Can You Hold Me One More Time
Chicago, IL: To hold on to each other before the time ends, this is an ‘attached love affair. I think this song is a perfect way to describe the ending before it begins. The relatability of the song is what makes the meaning more clear. After the first listen, it was just hearing a beautiful melodic voice through your headphones, but as time moved, it went from a beautiful melody to my story. The song ‘Skin Tight' by Ravyn Lenae, was released in May 2022, featuring Steve Lacy.
Lyric Analysis
The song starts with a smooth beat before the words“ Hope you understand, we won’t go as planned” play. My first initial thought is two people dating and getting to know each other, but they both know there is a time limit. This can also come off as sabotaging the feeling involved. Many people have experienced the thrill of romance in its honeymoon stage, but as time goes on and the mask starts to fall, some avoid the real responsibility of love. No couple is perfect and there will never be a perfect love story. Sometimes at the start of something new, you can tell how the story will end. In my last situation, I knew it was over before it started. I didn’t allow myself to get overly attached or emotional, but it was worth a shot.
The next lyric says “ I’ll be your friend, you’ll come again” how I defined this line as you and your partner, in an on-and-off relationship, cause chaos in each other’s lives, but you can’t stay away from each other. There’s a massive amount of people who stay in relationships that no longer serve them. I believe Ravyn is saying, she’s not good at relationships and I love you, don’t leave me, but if you do leave I know you’ll come back to me. I think it’s self-explanatory. I, just like Rayvn, have been in an on-off relationship, and once you think it’s over, you both come back to each other like it never happened. In this life stage, I believe I’ll be better as a friend and don’t want you to go completely, but sometimes it’s better to be friends and set boundaries with each other and yourself. We may not work out, but I don’t want you out of my life. It’s also like saying if the next person doesn’t work out, I’ll come back to you. Almost as a backup plan cause you’ll still be here. Maybe it’s time to ask yourself why you are keeping this person around. Is there a part of you that thinks love will never come back around? Or do you just want to be loved?
I know for me, I’ve grown comfortable with this person, they have seen me in many forms, so why cut them out of my life for good?
This song reminds me if it’s real it’ll come back. I’m not sure if I believe that completely, but it serves relevance. Sometimes people come back because they’re not done with the agenda of their fixation on you or there's a trauma bond. Lanae says “ Hold me while you can”, knowing our time is ending, so let’s enjoy our last moments together. Enjoy me before I’m gone, because once I’m gone the relationship will not be the same. You’ll never know when something is over until it is. Imagine spending time with someone hoping it’ll last, just for them to have been planning their exit from the start. Knowing a relationship won’t work out, but you keep them around for selfish reasons. To hold each other before your time ends because of attachment. This can be the simple case of an avoidant Attachment style. According to Psychology Today, “avoidantly attached people are the ones who run. They fear losing their independence and feel smothered when someone gets too close. When emotions get heavy, they check out—emotionally and sometimes physically”. Imagine two runners in the relationship, it’s over before it gets off the ground. Both are gone when feelings start to develop and you have to try.
Steve Lacey
From a male’s perspective, “I'm now skintight” I am now attached, I’m attached to your skin. ”Are you 'round? Come by…Cutie pie all mine… Attitude, my type” It’s toxic, but they love it, it’s exciting. Steve Lacey just has that one repeating verse, that’s so short but effective. The scenario that comes to mind is two people, not in an official relationship, disappearing and reappearing in each other’s lives unexpectedly. As much as you want to be mad and give each other attitude, they carry on their routine and it’s an ongoing cycle. The thrill of it all.
First Verse
“Who could've thought? It's not black or white” Being in these types of situations, not even a relationship yet, you think it’ll be easygoing because it’s not a commitment. Wrong! It hurts the most! Because it’s not a relationship and it most likely won’t be, yet that attachment is thick. Going into something that was meant to be a one-time thing turns into months, even years. So no it’s not black or white, it’s not 50/50.
“Now every time that I took you back, If I called, would you spend the night? , Can't blame this love if I'm not that nice ”From this line, it’s simply she understands her toxic ways and wants to see if you’re done for good. “I’m not that nice” Why are you still here if you know I’ll continue hurting you and I can’t blame you if you don’t want to talk to me again.
Second Verse
“Put your feelings aside, Boy, make the drive, you told me, just ask” This man would drop what he was doing in an instant to be with her if she asked. The control she has.” 'Cause you know how I like it, Swallow your pride, won't cover my tracks”, she knows how to keep him coming back, how to please him, and no other woman can match up. She’s up comparable and he knows it, but he’s prideful. “I care for you, no one else, babe, You deserve someone new” We'll continue these mind games until one of us doesn't wanna play anymore, and you deserve someone who cherishes your heart.
“Even though you should leave me for good”, This line alone reminds me of not feeling like you’re good enough to love, so leave me instead of continuing to hurt yourself loving me. Or vice versa. The common case of a selfish lover. Can this be a narcissist trait? Is narcissism the best characteristic term for this line? According to Mayo Clinic“ [People with narcissist traits]may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others. But behind this mask of extreme confidence, they are unsure of their self-worth and are easily upset by the slightest criticism”. As if she wants you to feel bad for her inability to get it right. Or her ego loves that you’ll always be there because you always come back. Her saying that you should leave me good, is a narcissist’s favorite line to make reconsider if leaving is a good choice.
Music Video Analysis
At the very beginning, a man is watching her on his TV screen, indicating the person whose attention she wants to keep. It’s animated and she looks different from the other figures next to her. I’ve read some of the other points of view in the comments on how they interpret the message behind why she stands out. One comment that caught my attention is in a world of wannabes, she’s the real thing. I agree, as I mentioned she'd be different, she’s the only figure with movement, color, and life. In comparison, the others are just alike and lifeless. She’s the only one at the top of your list, but she’s simply the most poisonous.
