Today my mom saw something on Twitter that Dove had posted about multiple girls posting videos on YouTube asking if they were ugly. Apparently it's a thing a whole bunch of girls have started doing and it breaks my heart. If you haven't had a chance to listen to my new song "Under The Skin" it's basically a message to all girls telling them that true beauty comes from, well, under the skin. Seeing how many girls felt the need to post a video asking people if they were ugly is crazy. Then, to see how many people made parody videos making fun of them is just disgusting. It's not funny. I know some people might not agree with me on this, and that's okay, but the fact that people are making light of something so serious is terrible. A woman named Meaghan Ramsey did a whole speech on this you can watch here.
When I was in the studio recording "Under The Skin" I kept thinking about how it would be perfect for a Dove commercial. When Dove tweeted about those girls it really struck a nerve with me. So I thought now would be a good time to tell you guys the story behind how I wrote "Under The Skin".
I had been going through a massive writers block. Writers block is one of those evil things that completely takes away your confidence. As I was sitting there completely frustrated I started to do what I normally do when writing; I sang random stuff until I ran across something I liked. It just so happened to be the first verse of the song "Spend forty-five minutes standing in front of the mirror. You look at what everyone has and it don't seem fair that you ain't got the prettiest smile or the prettiest hair. Seems like all you do is just stand and stare." and then I mumbled some weird melody while recording it. After I listened back I thought it sounded stupid. It went into my unfinished songs pile and that was the end of it. Or so I thought.
I have no clue if it was weeks, months, or maybe even a year, but I was organizing some recordings and cleaning out some stuff when I ran across it. I thought I'd try to at least finish it. My general thoughts were maybe it could be something that my little cousins or the little girls that I knew liked my music would listen to. Once I started writing it I couldn't stop. It was probably one of the easiest songs I've written.
When I finished it I had a big realization. I had just written a song to myself. Every word and every line was exactly how I felt.
When I was in middle school I use to think I was so chubby. I hated the gap in my teeth (before I got braces), I hated my hair, and the fact that I wasn't as tiny as some of my friends. My first year of high school I started hating the way I looked in jeans. I hated how I couldn't pull off certain clothes that looked good on other girls. Then I started thinking that maybe guys wouldn't like me because I wasn't skinny. This was all in between the ages of 11 and 14. How crazy is that!?
Looking back it just seems stupid now. The grass is always greener on the other side. I have come to terms with the fact that God made me the way I am for a reason. If all girls looked the same then life would be pretty boring. I've found the prettiest people are the ones that have beautiful personalities. If someone can't accept you, or judges you based on how you look, then they're the one with the issue not you.
So basically "Under The Skin" was a big fat letter written to yours truly. Everyone tells me all the time that they're jealous of my confidence. Trust me, I have my moments. Everyone does. On days when you're comparing yourself to someone else or you just don't feel good enough, remember that true beauty is all about whats inside; not about your jean size. (Thank Goodness.)
I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, my soul knows it well. (Psalm 139:14)
Love you guys!
xxCarson
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