Skeletons

It was in September 1987 when Stevie Wonder published -as a single from his album Characters- "Skeletons". Song for which he received a nomination as best song in the category of RnB, and another as best vocal performance in the same category. It was No.1 on the "Black Singles Chart" list, while also placing it in the top 20 of the "Billboard Hot 100" and "US dance chart". The song, of style funky-synthpop, refers to the skeletons that are kept in the closet, those dark or muddy secrets that could hurt everyone involved if they came to light. Specifically, he referred to the lies and deceptions that were being discovered in society and politics. The song appeared in the movie "Crystal Jungle" when the character Argyle spoke on the phone, and also appeared in the second trailer of the soundtrack of the video game Grand Theft Auto V.

Skeletons in your closet
Itchin' to come outside
Messin' with your conscience
In a way your face can't hide

Oh things are gettin' real funky
Down at the old corral
And it's not the skunks that are stinkin'
It's the stinkin' lies you tell

What did your mama tell you about lies
She said it wasn't polite to tell a white one
What did your daddy tell you about lies
He said one white one turns into a black one

So, it's gettin' ready to blow
It's gettin' ready to show
Somebody shot off at the mouth and
We're gettin' ready to know

It's gettin' ready to drop
It's gettin' ready to shock
Somebody done turned up the heater
An'a it's gettin' ready to pop

Crevices in your pantry
Now what do we have in here
Havin' a daytime nightmare
Has always been your biggest fear

Oh things are gettin' real crucial
Up the old wazoo
Yet you cry, why am I the victim?
When the culprit's y-o-u

What did your mama tell you about lies
She said it wasn't polite to tell a white one
What did your daddy tell you about lies
He said one white one turns into a black one

So, it's gettin' ready to blow
It's gettin' ready to show
Somebody shot off at the mouth and
We're gettin' ready to know

It's gettin' ready to drop
It's gettin' ready to shock
Somebody done turned up the heater
An'a it's gettin' ready to pop

It's gettin' ready to seep
You're gettin' ready to freak
Somebody done picked up the talk box
We're gettin' ready to speak

It's gettin' ready to jive
You're gettin' ready to gel
Somebody done gone let the lid off
We're gettin' ready to smell

They're gettin' ready to deal
You're gettin' ready to ill
Somebody done just dropped the big dime
And they're gettin' ready to squeal

It's gettin' ready to turn
We're gettin' ready to learn
Somebody done fired up the brimstone
And you're gettin' ready to burn

It's gettin' ready to shake
You're gettin' ready to ache
Somebody done snitched to the news crew
And it's gettin' ready to break

You're gettin' ready to lie
They're gettin' ready to spy
Somebody's been put on the hot seat
And you're gettin' ready to fry