Skin (Sabrina Carpenter song)

Last updated
"Skin"
Sabrina Carpenter - Skin.png
Single by Sabrina Carpenter
ReleasedJanuary 22, 2021
Recorded2020
Genre Synth-pop
Length2:58
Label Island
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Ryan McMahon
Sabrina Carpenter singles chronology
"Wow
(Remix)
"
(2020)
"Skin"
(2021)
"Skinny Dipping"
(2021)
Music video
"Skin" on YouTube

"Skin" is a song by American singer Sabrina Carpenter. It was released through Island Records on January 22, 2021. [1] [2] The song marks her first release with Island after previously being signed to Hollywood Records since 2014. It was written by Carpenter, Tia Scola and its producer Ryan McMahon. "Skin" is a synth-pop ballad.

Contents

Composition

"Skin" is a synth-pop ballad with a length of two minutes and fifty seven seconds. [3] It was written by Carpenter, Tia Scola and Ryan McMahon. McMahon also handled the song's production. "Skin" is composed in the key of G major, and has a tempo of 106 BPM. [4] It uses compound time 12
8
in verses and common time 4
4
everywhere else with a chord progression of Em-D-G-B-C-D.

Several publications suggested the lyrics are centered around the highly publicized "love triangle" between Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett, posing as a response to Rodrigo's single "Drivers License", as the track was released only two weeks after Rodrigo's single had come out. [5] [6] [7] Carpenter has since denied the claim that the song is a diss track, explaining that it isn't "calling out one single person". [8] Carpenter has stated that,

"People will make a narrative out of something always [...] and I think this was like a really interesting song for people to kind of misinterpret and make into something that it wasn’t really supposed to be in the first place." [9]

Commercial performance

The week of its release, "Skin" debuted at 48 on the Billboard Hot 100 making it the highest debut on the chart for the week. [10] The song also marked Carpenter's first Hot 100 entry with her previous singles "Thumbs" and "Why" charting on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 at numbers 1 and 21 respectively. [10] Furthermore, the song reached number 12 in Ireland and the top 30 in the United Kingdom. [11]

Music video

The music video for "Skin" was directed by Jason Lester and released on February 1, 2021. [12] The 3-minute long music video features an appearance by Gavin Leatherwood, who plays Carpenter's love interest. [13]

Live performances

Carpenter performed the song live on The Late Late Show with James Corden . [9] [14] She also performed the song at the 2021 GLAAD Media Awards. [15] During this performance, Carpenter sang in front of a montage of videos with transgender youth appearing behind her, "sending a powerful message of love and acceptance to the trans community". [16] On May 11, 2023, Carpenter performed the song during the second night in New York of leg two of the Emails I Can't Send Tour. [17]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. [18]

Charts

Chart performance for "Skin"
Chart (2021)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [19] 61
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [20] 62
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders) [21] 41
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [22] 36
Dominican Republic Anglo (Monitor Latino) [23] 20
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [24] 33
Greece (IFPI) [25] 73
Ireland (IRMA) [26] 12
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) [27] 19
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [28] 78
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [29] 1
Portugal (AFP) [30] 66
Singapore (RIAS) [31] 21
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [32] 99
UK Singles (OCC) [33] 28
US Billboard Hot 100 [34] 48
US Pop Airplay ( Billboard ) [35] 30

Certifications

Certifications for "Skin"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [36] Gold35,000
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [37] Platinum40,000
United States (RIAA) [38] Gold500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Skin"
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
VariousJanuary 22, 2021 Island [39]
United StatesJanuary 26, 2021 Contemporary hit radio
[40]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Physical (Olivia Newton-John song)</span> 1981 single by Olivia Newton-John

"Physical" is a song recorded by British-Australian singer Olivia Newton-John for her 1981 eleventh studio album of the same name. It was released as the album's lead single in 1981. The song was produced by John Farrar and written by Steve Kipner and Terry Shaddick, who had originally intended to offer it to Rod Stewart. The song had also been offered to Tina Turner by her manager Roger Davies, but when Turner declined, Davies gave the song to Newton-John, another of his clients.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic (Olivia Newton-John song)</span> 1980 single by Olivia Newton-John

"Magic" is a song recorded by British-Australian singer Olivia Newton-John for the soundtrack to the 1980 musical fantasy film Xanadu, which starred Newton-John and Gene Kelly. Written and produced by Newton-John's frequent collaborator John Farrar, "Magic" was released as the soundtrack's lead single in May 1980 and topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks beginning on August 2. On August 30, it was displaced from the top by Christopher Cross's "Sailing".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sabrina Carpenter</span> American singer and actress (born 1999)

Sabrina Annlynn Carpenter is an American singer and actress. She first gained recognition starring on the Disney Channel series Girl Meets World (2014–2017), and signed with the Disney-owned Hollywood Records to release her debut single, "Can't Blame a Girl for Trying", in 2014. She released four studio albums with the label: Eyes Wide Open (2015), Evolution (2016), Singular: Act I (2018), and Singular: Act II (2019); three of their singles—"Alien", "Almost Love", and "Sue Me"—topped the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sabrina Carpenter discography</span>

American singer Sabrina Carpenter has released six studio albums, two extended plays, 24 singles, 23 promotional singles and 31 music videos. After gaining recognition on Disney Channel's Girl Meets World and performing its theme song, Carpenter signed a five-album deal with Hollywood Records. In 2014, she released her debut single Can't Blame a Girl for Trying and an EP of the same name. She followed this with her debut album Eyes Wide Open (2015) which debuted at number 43 on the US Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amy Allen (songwriter)</span> American songwriter, record producer, and singer from Maine

Amy Rose Allen is an American songwriter, record producer, and singer. She has been credited with songwriting work on commercially successful releases performed by music industry artists including Sabrina Carpenter, Harry Styles, Justin Bieber, Tate McRae, Halsey, Rosé, and Shawn Mendes, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All I Want (Olivia Rodrigo song)</span> 2019 song by Olivia Rodrigo

"All I Want" is a song written by American singer and songwriter Olivia Rodrigo for the mockumentary television series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. It was performed by Rodrigo's character, Nina "Nini" Salazar-Roberts, in the fourth episode of the first season, "Blocking", which premiered on Disney+ on November 29, 2019. A ballad with piano and strings, "All I Want" was written in three days while Rodrigo was filming the first season. The song was produced by Matthew Tishler and recorded live for the episode during filming. It was released on November 27, 2019, through Walt Disney Records as a promotional single from the album High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The Soundtrack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gracie Abrams</span> American singer-songwriter and actress (born 1999)

Gracie Madigan Abrams is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She signed with Interscope Records to release two extended plays, Minor (2020) and This Is What It Feels Like (2021). After performing as an opening act on Olivia Rodrigo's Sour Tour, Abrams released her debut studio album, Good Riddance (2023), which moderately entered the Billboard 200. Throughout 2023, she performed as an opening act for Taylor Swift on her Eras Tour, and received a nomination for Best New Artist at the 66th Grammy Awards. In late 2023, Abrams was featured on a remix of the song "Everywhere, Everything" by Noah Kahan, marking her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Abrams' second album, The Secret of Us, was released on June 21, 2024, to favorable reviews and commercial success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200.

The Billboard Global 200 is a weekly record chart published by Billboard magazine. The chart ranks the top songs globally and is based on digital sales and online streaming from over 200 territories worldwide. First announced in mid-2019, it officially launched in September 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drivers License (song)</span> 2021 single by Olivia Rodrigo

"Drivers License" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo. It was released on January 8, 2021, by Geffen and Interscope Records, as the lead single from her debut studio album Sour. She wrote the song alongside producer Dan Nigro. Containing poignant lyrics detailing heartache, "Drivers License" is a power ballad blending bedroom pop, alt-pop, and power pop styles. It is characterized by a minimalist, piano-led production, incorporating kick drums, harmonies, syncopated hand-claps, and a dreamy bridge. One of 2021's most successful songs, "Drivers License" launched Rodrigo's music career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olivia Rodrigo discography</span>

American singer and actress Olivia Rodrigo has released two studio albums, one reissue, three extended plays (EPs), ten singles, and ten music videos. She contributed to the soundtrack of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, releasing ten promotional singles from it, with "All I Want" managing to chart worldwide at a peak position of 119. After signing with Interscope and Geffen Records in 2020, she released her debut single "Drivers License" in January 2021, which propelled her to international fame. "Drivers License" debuted at number one in the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, where it stayed for eight consecutive weeks, and topped the charts in 25 other countries. Subsequently, "Drivers License" was certified six times platinum in the US by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), eight times platinum in Canada by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA), seven times platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), three times platinum in Norway and Portugal, two times platinum in United Kingdom, Poland, New Zealand and Sweden, and platinum in 10 other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deja Vu (Olivia Rodrigo song)</span> 2021 single by Olivia Rodrigo

"Deja Vu" is a song by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo. It was released on April 1, 2021, through Geffen and Interscope Records, as the second single from her debut studio album, Sour (2021). Rodrigo wrote the song with its producer Dan Nigro, with Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, and St. Vincent receiving writing credits for its interpolation of Swift's 2019 song "Cruel Summer". An incorporation of various pop sub-genres, "Deja Vu" is about heartbreak and explores Rodrigo's anguish about her ex-partner repeating things they did in his new relationship.

<i>Sour</i> (album) 2021 album by Olivia Rodrigo

Sour is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Olivia Rodrigo. It was released on May 21, 2021, by Geffen Records. The album was written by Rodrigo and producer Dan Nigro. Originally planned as an EP, Sour was expanded into a full-length album following the viral success of her debut single, "Drivers License".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Favorite Crime</span> 2021 song by Olivia Rodrigo

"Favorite Crime" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo. It is the tenth track on Rodrigo's debut album Sour, which was released on May 21, 2021, through Geffen Records. It is a folk-pop and indie pop ballad, written by Rodrigo and its producer Dan Nigro.

"Happier" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo, seen as the eighth track on Rodrigo's debut studio album Sour (2021), which was released on May 21, 2021, through Geffen Records. The song was produced by Dan Nigro. According to Rodrigo, this song was inspired by the song ''Perfect'' by Ed Sheeran in both the lyrics and the instrumental track.

"Traitor" is a song by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo. It was released to US mainstream radio on August 10, 2021, through Geffen Records, as the fourth single from Rodrigo's debut album, Sour (2021). An indie pop and guitar-rock ballad, the song was written by Rodrigo and Dan Nigro, and produced by the latter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good 4 U</span> 2021 single by Olivia Rodrigo

"Good 4 U" is a song by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo. It was released on May 14, 2021, through Geffen and Interscope Records, as the third single from Rodrigo's debut studio album, Sour (2021). The song was written by Rodrigo and its producer Dan Nigro who co-produced it with Alexander 23.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nonsense (song)</span> 2022 single by Sabrina Carpenter

"Nonsense" is a song by American singer Sabrina Carpenter from her fifth studio album, Emails I Can't Send (2022). Carpenter wrote the track with Steph Jones and Julian Bunetta; the latter also handled its production. Originally released alongside the album as its ninth track, "Nonsense" became the album's fourth single after gaining traction on the video-sharing app TikTok. It became known as one of Carpenter's signature songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feather (song)</span> 2023 single by Sabrina Carpenter

"Feather" is song by American singer Sabrina Carpenter from Emails I Can't Send Fwd:, the 2023 deluxe edition of her fifth studio album, Emails I Can't Send (2022). Carpenter wrote it with songwriter Amy Allen and its producer, John Ryan. Island Records released its sped-up version for digital download and streaming on August 4, 2023. A pop, dance, disco, and neo-disco song, "Feather" is a post-breakup track which celebrates the freedom and relief one feels upon ending a relationship and shedding its weight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Please Please Please (Sabrina Carpenter song)</span> 2024 single by Sabrina Carpenter

"Please Please Please" is a song by American singer Sabrina Carpenter from her sixth studio album Short n' Sweet (2024). It was released through Island Records on June 6, 2024, as the second single from the album. Produced by Jack Antonoff, it is written by the former alongside with Carpenter herself and Amy Allen and it is a country pop and yacht rock song with disco-pop influences.

References

  1. Paul, Larisha (January 22, 2021). "Sabrina Carpenter Drops Drama-Inspired Single 'Skin'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  2. "Sabrina Carpenter Drops Provocative New Song 'Skin'". Billboard . January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  3. Curto, Justin (January 22, 2021). "Sabrina Carpenter New Song 'Skin', Lyrics Explained". Vulture . Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  4. "Key, BPM of Skin By Sabrina Carpenter". musicstax.com. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  5. Chiu, Melody. "Sabrina Carpenter Addresses Olivia Rodrigo Drama on New Song 'Skin': 'Don't Drive Yourself Insane'". People . Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  6. Aswad, Jem (January 22, 2021). "Sabrina Carpenter Addresses 'Drivers License' Drama in New Song, 'Skin'". Variety. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  7. Bonner, Mehera (22 January 2021). "Sabrina Carpenter 'Skin' Lyrics About Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett". Cosmopolitan . Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  8. Hautman, Nicholas (25 January 2021). "Sabrina Carpenter Denies Writing 'Skin' as a 'Diss Track' About Olivia Rodrigo: 'The Song Isn't Calling Out One Single Person'". Us Weekly . Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Sabrina Carpenter Gets Drenched Again While Performing 'Skin'". Vulture. 10 February 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  10. 1 2 "Five Burning Questions: Sabrina Carpenter's 'Skin' Answer Song Debuts at No. 48 on the Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  11. "29 January 2021 - 04 February 2021". Official Singles Chart Top 100. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  12. "Sabrina Carpenter Releases Music Video For Latest Single 'Skin'". uDiscover Music. February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  13. Mamo, Heran (February 1, 2021). "Sabrina Carpenter Weathers the Storm With 'Sabrina' Actor in 'Skin' Video". Billboard . Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  14. "Sabrina Carpenter Performs 'Skin' and Says There's No Drama Behind it on 'Late Late Show': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  15. "Chika, Rebecca Black, Sabrina Carpenter to Perform at GLAAD Media Awards". Rolling Stone. April 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  16. "Sabrina Carpenter honors trans youth during Hulu exclusive performance at the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards". GLAAD Media Awards. 9 April 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  17. "In Focus: Sabrina Carpenter's Birthday Show at Terminal 5 - NYS Music". nysmusic.com. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  18. "Skin / Sabrina Carpenter". Tidal . Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  19. "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 1 February 2021". The ARIA Report. No. 1613. Australian Recording Industry Association. February 1, 2021. p. 4.
  20. "Sabrina Carpenter – Skin" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  21. "Sabrina Carpenter – Skin" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  22. "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  23. "Top 20 Republica Dominicana Anglo – Del 19 al 25 de Febrero, 2021". Monitor Latino . Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  24. "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  25. "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 04/2021". IFPI Greece . Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  26. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  27. "Tipparade-lijst van week 6, 2021" [Tip parade list from week 6, 2021] (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  28. "Sabrina Carpenter – Skin" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  29. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 1, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  30. "Sabrina Carpenter – Skin". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  31. "RIAS International Top Charts Week 5". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  32. "Sabrina Carpenter – Skin". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  33. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  34. "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  35. "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  36. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  37. "Brazilian single certifications – Sabrina Carpenter – Skin" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil . Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  38. "American single certifications – Sabrina Carpenter – Skin". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  39. Skin , retrieved January 22, 2021
  40. "Top 40/Mainstream > Future Releases". AllAccess. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.