Leathers

Deftones' song 'Leathers' is a visceral call to authenticity and self-liberation. The lyrics, delivered with the band's signature blend of aggression and melody, encourage listeners to shed their metaphorical skin and reveal their true selves. The repeated command to 'shed your skin' suggests a transformation or rebirth, akin to a snake sloughing off its old scales to reveal a fresh layer beneath. This act of shedding represents a rejection of superficiality and a move towards genuine self-expression.

The song's confrontational tone, with lines like 'This is your chance, revolt, resist!' and 'Extend your tongue, speak out, go on,' serves as a rallying cry for personal revolution. It's about breaking free from the constraints that society or one's own fears have imposed. The imagery of opening one's chest and reaching inside, as well as wearing one's insides on the outside, symbolizes vulnerability and the courage it takes to be truly seen. By cutting all ties 'now and forever,' the song speaks to a point of no return, a commitment to living authentically regardless of the consequences.

Deftones, known for their atmospheric and heavy sound, often explore themes of pain, beauty, and existential angst. 'Leathers' fits within this framework, as it delves into the struggle between hiding one's true nature and the powerful desire to be known and understood. The song's title itself, 'Leathers,' could be interpreted as a reference to protective outerwear that conceals and shields, suggesting that the song is about discarding these defenses to reveal the raw and unguarded self beneath.