I've never seen you when you're smiling
It really gets under my skin
You say it's easy when it's faster
I still can't guess what you're after

It's the color of your skin
Your skin is black metallic
It's the color of your skin
Your skin is black metallic
Your skin is black metallic
Your skin is black metallic

I think of you when you're sleeping
Of all the secrets that you're keeping
You can't stay all day under the covers
'Cause under there you'll discover

It's the color of your skin
Your skin is black metallic
It's the color of your skin
Your skin is black metallic
Your skin is black metallic
You're turning black metallic

It's the color of your skin
It's the color of your skin

Your skin is black metallic
Your skin is black metallic
Your skin is black metallic
You're turning black metallic

It's the color of your skin
Your skin is black metallic
Your skin is black metallic
Your skin is black metallic
Your skin is black metallic
Your skin is black metallic
Your skin is black metallic


Lyrics submitted by typo

Black Metallic Lyrics as written by Robert Dickinson Brian Futter

Lyrics © Spirit Music Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Black Metallic song meanings
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22 Comments

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  • +5
    My Interpretation

    Many people don't get this song's lyrics. But from what I understand, the song is about someone who is really just cold and difficult to relate to. And since Rob Dickinson is a bit of a car buff, I gather that he may have been saying that this beautiful and fascinating person while exciting is really just like a car, basically cold and emotionless.

    KleeGirlon May 25, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    I remember years ago when this song was still new, Rob Dickinson was being interviewed and said that amazingly some people thought the lyrics were racist! He explained that it's nothing to do with race but is about a person who's cold and hard to relate to. "I've never seen you when you're smiling It really gets under my skin" is the most obvious part of the lyrics.

    chickenkatsuon April 10, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    The black metallic bit might also have to do with the fact that Rob Dickinson is into automobiles.

    Mubarizon June 17, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    The "black metallic" part isn't racist in my opinion, you know when somebody is cold and hard towards you and their skin almost seems to glow (like an aura?) with angst and refusal to open up?

    angst_pixieon September 16, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song actually reminds me of a girl I dated for a long time who was a pretty good person, but kept getting colder and harder the longer I knew her. She started turning into someone I didn't even know and had a lot of secrets, etc. I feel like she soon couldn't almost face me or herself for that matter (staying all day under the covers) and ultimately we broke up. I think she knew she was being shitty, but somehow continued down that path. She's now been married, beaten, divorced and I'm glad to have known her for the time I did, but way more happy to be away from her.

    Anyway, I think it's about someone you love who's fading away from you and what's good and you're trying to bring them back before they go the wrong way (whether it's to drugs or something else).

    No matter what it's about, it may be one of the best songs ever!

    johnnyrottinon October 29, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I don't think CW is still around, maybe that's just how it is - there is a beginning, a middle, and an end...do you want to see them burn out or just fade away...well, I saw them in 1992 one of the best concerts of my life, here in Las Vegas in a small bar/club..After the show, the lights came on, and I looked Rob in the eye and said man you guys are really really good - the show just blew me away. (this was the Chrome tour)...He said, "Thanks!" and they quickly walked to their tour bus and took off...you rarely get that close and real with a singer, nothing fake about him whatsoever, (no fake backstage pass bs) or me..I've been to a zillion concerts and you knew you were experiencing something new and cutting edge with these guys, and I stood in the front the whole time, and really I was the only person that even approached him...These guys were all business in 1992... Wow he looked young, their first tour. I was absolutely blown away, and was ready for something besides grunge and this was it...my favorite band up until I heard Coldplay really...I love the early CW, and man it brings back sweet memories. I guess the distortion in the guitars in the beginning is dated, they changed with the times, and all their stuff is great. Their early songs like Black Metallic sound great on my car stereo with the subs cranked up I can feel the bass shake my whole car...On these little ear buds the guitars are too overwhelming...I feel like an old man, I mean nobody in their 20's know who CW is, and that's too bad...I'm 47 and I don't know anyone who has ever heard of them...figure it - oh well, screw 'em...I'm just better than them because I love CW!

    musicluva2on October 02, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is my favorite Catherine Wheel song. I'm not so sure about the meaning. At first I believed that this song was about all of the bigots in the world, telling everybody "come on its the only the color of your skin."

    Giackson August 04, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is my favorite CW song. The mid-song solo is just out of this world. The song's actually about a car, but I'm pretty sure most of us just ignore that little point.

    aniymon August 06, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I thought it was about someone that is difficult to figure out, i.e. get a read on. Is "black metallic" a reference to material that can't be seen through, or impervious to radar?

    jfire7887on September 01, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Best. Guitar. Solo.

    EVER.

    Put on a pair of quality headphones, turn off the lights, close your eyes, and just take it in. If this song (and that solo in particular) doesn't take you to another world...there is no hope for you.

    Donyoguyon June 10, 2006   Link

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