In This Skin

In This Skin is the third studio album by American recording artist Jessica Simpson. The album was released on August 19, 2003, by Columbia Records. It was reissued on March 2, 2004, with three new songs. Simpson began taking more creative control of her music with the album, both musically and lyrically, co-writing 10 out of 14 tracks on the album, thus moving away from the teen pop styles of her previous two albums, Sweet Kisses (1999) and Irresistible (2001), as well as including elements of Middle Eastern music, dance, acoustic, and pop rock, while also lyrically talking about more mature subject matters. The album was a huge success in North America, reaching number two on the US Billboard 200 and being certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).<ref name="allmusic"/> Internationally, In This Skin went on to become the thirty-fifth best selling album of 2004.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was ranked number 153 on the list of the top-selling albums of the 2000s by Billboard magazine.<ref name="BillboardDecadeEnd">Template:Cite magazine</ref> As of 2020, In This Skin has sold 7 million copies worldwide.<ref name="The New Zealand Herald">Template:Cite web</ref>

The album spawned four singles, including two top 20 hits worldwide, "With You" and "Take My Breath Away," which peaked at number fourteen and twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 respectively. "Sweetest Sin" and "Angels," the lead and final single, both failed to make an impact on charts.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Simpson performed songs from In This Skin on a number of occasions. In middle 2004, she embarked on her second headlining tour, titled the Reality Tour, to promote the album.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Background

After the release of her 2001 album Irresistible, Simpson stated she wanted to write songs for her third record. In an interview with MTV in October 2002, her then-husband, Nick Lachey, revealed that Simpson was in the studio, working on a new record. Lachey said, "She's finally writing her own music, which I've told her she could do forever but she's been shy about stepping out there and doing it. But she's an incredible writer, and she's doing stuff that's really from the heart." About the album's sound, he said, "It's a much more organic record and it's more true to herself ... There's all live instrumentation and it's very musical as opposed to the pop thing that was happening before for her. I think she finally feels like this is her record and her chance to do exactly what she wants."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In March 2003, Simpson revealed that her third album would be called In This Skin.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Production and development

Simpson said in an interview with Billboard, "I wanted to make a romantic, organic album, there are songs that say something that I hope will move or inspire people." Billboard's Chuck Taylor compared the record to her first album, saying, "Simpson's soaring vocals give 'In This Skin' a smooth touch, as it sways between spirited midtempo melodies and her signature ballads."<ref name="Simpson reveals her new Skin">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Originally, the album was planned to be primarily produced by American rapper Missy Elliott, while the sole featured appearance was to be made by Nick Lachey.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, the pair's contributions never made the final cut of the album. About the recording process, Simpson said that A&R executive Teresa LaBarbera Whites "had the incredible idea of creating a songwriting camp. I would go from room to room with one songwriter after another... We would sit there for two or three hours—write an entire song—and then go in and record it in 90 minutes. It was so refreshing."<ref name="Simpson reveals her new Skin"/> Much of the album was recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles, with the help of established writers and producers.<ref name="Simpson reveals her new Skin"/>

Template:Listen "Sweetest Sin," the album's first single, was written by Diane Warren and is about losing one's virginity.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> MTV described the song as a "sweet track."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In an interview with Billboard, Simpson said the song was "nothing negative, it's all about love."<ref name="Simpson reveals her new Skin"/> About the second single, "With You," Simpson said, "It's cool for me just because it's my personality ... Nick loves me with nothing but a T-shirt on so that's where the song idea came from."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Billboard cited "I Have Loved You" and "Underneath" as the most expressive tracks from the album, citing the latter as "a four-month period where Simpson and Lachey called it quits, then-in the wake of Sep. 11, 2001 ... realized the value of making a relationship work." The magazine described the title track as "a plucky pop anthem about self-acceptance." About the song, Simpson said, "I was 102 pounds and people at the record label were telling me that I needed to lose weight. The song is saying that I am worthy to feel beautiful in my skin. It's something that every woman experiences in one way or another."<ref name="Simpson reveals her new Skin"/>

The album was subsequently reissued with three new recordings: an acoustic version of "With You" and two covers. The Berlin cover "Take My Breath Away" is Simpson and Lachey's love theme, she said, "because it was playing the first time Nick kissed me."<ref name="Vineyard">Template:Cite web</ref> Simpson also said that she had "been obsessed with 'Take My Breath Away' for a very long time." Another cover on the album was Robbie Williams' "Angels." Simpson described the recording session for the two songs as difficult because she had to do both songs in one day. Lachey helped produce the vocals for both songs, and Simpson credited him with helping her get in the right mood by keeping his hand in her back pocket "and being right there" during the recording session.<ref name="mtv.com">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Critical reception

Template:Music ratings Initial critical response to In This Skin was mixed. Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine gave the album 2.5 stars and criticized it as "glossy, ever-so-slightly over-produced ... weighed down by soggy, overwrought pop ballads" and "sickeningly sweet" lyrics. However, he praised "Forbidden Fruit," comparing it to Madonna's single "Music," and "Loving You," which he described as "a seductively contrived reminder that, with teen pop long dead, Simpson should be aiming to recapture the club audience that helped launch her career with 'I Wanna Love You Forever.'"<ref name="slant">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic also gave the album 2.5 stars in a mixed review, writing, "The problem with In This Skin is that its heart is in the mature middle of the road but its sound is still pitched too young, making [it] a record that satisfies neither audience."<ref name="allmusic">Template:Cite web</ref>

Jon Caramanica of Rolling Stone gave the album 2 stars, criticizing Simpson's lack of vocal "subtlety." However, he added, "Her powerful voice is done a disservice by insipid songwriting and arrangements — as on the loathsome club track 'Forbidden Fruit' and the uncomfortably stately ballad 'You Don't Have to Let Go' — that consistently get in the way of her pipes."<ref name="RS">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Commercial performance

In This Skin debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with 64,000 copies sold.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Within five months of release, the album had sold 565,000 copies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In March 2004, the album was re-released and it jumped from number 16 to number two, selling 160,000 copies in that week and seeing a 205% increase in sales.<ref name="Billboardbook">Template:Cite magazine</ref> It was her highest weekly sales at the time, beating the sales of her sophomore album Irresistible, which debuted at number six with 120,000 copies.<ref name="Billboardbook"/> On August 19, 2004, it was reported that after a year of release, In This Skin had sold over 2.4 million copies in the US.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of February 2009, it has sold 2.9 million copies, according to Billboard.<ref name=Billboard2009>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In total the album charted on the Billboard 200 for 75 consecutive weeks.<ref>[1] Template:Webarchive</ref> Towards the end of 2004 In This Skin was ranked at number 14 on BillboardTemplate:'s year-end albums chart.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In December 2004, the album was certified triple platinum by the RIAA for shipments of three million copies.<ref name="RIAA Charts - Accreditations">Template:Cite web</ref>

In Australia, April 4, the album debuted at number 40. In peaked at number 13 in its seventh week, becoming Simpson's highest album peak in Australia to date. In This Skin stayed in the top 50 for 27 weeks. The album was later certified Platinum by the ARIA. In Ireland, In This Skin debuted at number 58. In its second week fell to number 75, but in its fourth week the album rose to a new peak of number 27. The album remained in the top 75 for 8 weeks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the UK, the album debuted at number 36, the same peak of her first album Sweet Kisses. It stayed on the chart for 9 weeks and it was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In Canada, the album reached number 45 in May 2004.<ref name="Albums : Top 200">Template:Cite web</ref> The album stayed on the chart for 30 weeks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was later certified Gold by the CRIA. In Switzerland, it peaked at number 78 and remained on the chart for three weeks. At the end of 2004 In This Skin was ranked as the 35th best selling album globally by the IFPI.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of 2020, In This Skin has sold 7 million copies worldwide.<ref name="The New Zealand Herald"/>

Singles

"Sweetest Sin" was released as the lead single from In This Skin. The music video, directed by Dean Paraskavopoulos,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> starts with black-and-white shots of Simpson dancing and looking at viewers. It cuts to Simpson swaying on a beach, and embracing Nick Lachey underneath a waterfall on the beach. Further scenes are presented, such as one in which Simpson lies on a bed by herself. The video continues with intercut footage of the previous scenes, until the final seconds of the song, when Simpson is joined by her husband, in which they move on their bed on the beach. The video ends when Lachey disappears, leaving the singer alone. "With You" was released as the album's second single on September 16, 2003. The song received positive reviews from critics, and enjoyed more success, reaching at top ten on Australia and UK and top-twenty on Ireland, Norway and United States. The single was her first number one in Top 40 Mainstream chart. Later was certified Gold in US and Platinum on Australia. The video of the song was released as a DVD single. Simpson received one and only MTV Europe Music Award nomination for Best Female, enjoying her commercial success outside America. It received two MTV Video Music Award nominations for Best Female Video and Best Pop Video.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "I Have Loved You" peaked at number one on Paraguay Charts.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Promotion

File:Jessica Simpson Miami.jpg

Simpson arriving at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards in Miami, Florida on August 29, 2004

Simpson performed "Sweetest Sin" live at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The performance, dedicated to Lachey, was recorded and later broadcast on the second season of Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "With You" was also performed on American late-night show The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and American morning show Live with Regis and Kelly on October 17 and October 23, 2003. She also gave a memorable performance of "With You"/"Angels" at 2004 MTV Video Music Awards. The promotion of "Angels" by Simpson was extensive; she sang a Spanglish duet of the song with Spanish singer David Bisbal at the 2004 Latin Grammy Awards, performed it on VH1 Divas 2004 and on shows like Late Show with David Letterman and The Early Show. She later performed it during the seventh season of Dancing with the Stars.

The Reality Tour

The Reality Tour to promote In This Skin was the second concert tour by Jessica Simpson. While promoting the re-release of her album, Simpson stated in several interviews the possibility of a tour, wanting to break away from filming her TV series and connect with her fans. The tour was officially announced in May 2004 through various media outlets,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with sponsorship from Ice Breakers<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Proactiv Solution.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>

During an interview with the Associated Press, the singer said she wanted the concerts to focus on her music and her personality.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Onstage, Simpson was joined by a seven-piece band, with no dancers or choreography for the show. Simpson would perform songs from her three current albums, while providing anecdotes about her life and the songs. Unseen footage from her reality series and variety show (titled The Nick and Jessica Variety Hour) were included in the show as well. Each night, the singer dedicated "I Have Loved You" to the American armed forces and conducted a Q&A session with contest winners.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Before the tour commenced, Simpson performed at several radio-sponsored music festivals including Your Show,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Wango Tango,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Summer Music Mania,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Zootopia,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Kiss Concert,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Play Safe in the Park.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The tour began in Chula Vista in May, visiting over 50 cities, ending in West Springfield. Despite early reports of poor ticket sales,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Simpson's tour became one of the biggest summer tours in North America, prompting the singer to add more shows in the U.S.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The tour ranked number 86 on Pollstar's "Top 100 Tours 2004", earning over seven million dollars.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Track listing

Reissue

Notes

• The Chinese release of In This Skin omits "Sweetest Sin".<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref>
• ^{Template:Note} signifies an additional producer.
• ^{Template:Note} signifies a vocal producer.

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Div col

• J.D. Andrew – digital editing, engineer
• Jim Annunziato – assistant engineer, mixing assistant
• Romeo Antonio – electric guitar
• Rich Balmer – engineer
• Greg Barnhill – producer
• Charlie Bisharat – violin
• Dan Bucchi – mixing assistant
• Pat Buchanan – electric guitar
• Julian Bunetta – engineer, string arrangements, strings
• Darryl Bush – production coordination
• John Catchings – cello
• Earl Cohen – tracking
• J. T. Corenflos – electric guitar
• Chad Cromwell – drums
• Neil Devor – engineer
• Tony Duran – photography
• Damon Elliott – keyboards, percussion, producer, programming
• Greg Fitzgerald – producer
• Rob Fusari – producer
• James Ginnetti – keyboards
• Chris Goercke – acoustic guitar
• Franne Golde – piano, producer, vocals, background vocals
• Kara DioGuardi – background vocals
• Trina Harmon – piano, producer, string arrangements, strings
• Carlos Henderson – bass
• Dan Hetzel – digital editing, engineer, mixing
• Hooshik – collage
• Jun Ishizeki – assistant engineer
• Richie Jones – producer, programming
• Jennifer Karr – background vocals
• Anthony Kilhoffer – assistant engineer
• Brendan Kuntz – assistant engineer, mixing assistant
• Eric Kupper – acoustic guitar, keyboards
• Holly Lamar – producer
• Victor Lawrence – cello
• Kasia Livingston – producer, background vocals
• Billy Mann – arranger, drum programming, engineer, electric guitar, producer
• Lee Mars – mixing, vocal producer
• Andy Marvel – arranger, drum programming, engineer, midi guitar, keyboard programming, producer
• Tony Maserati – mixing
• Dave Matthews – engineer
• Mary Maurer – art direction
• Bart Migal – tracking
• Nick Moroch – acoustic guitar
• Pablo Munguia – engineer, vocal engineer
• David Munk – vocal producer
• Dave Pensado – mixing
• Alison Prestwood – bass
• Greg Price – assistant engineer
• Mark Russell – production coordination
• Dave Scheuer – digital editing, engineer
• Jaime Sickora – engineer, vocal engineer
• Jessica Simpson – primary artist, vocals
• Matt Snedecor – mixing assistant
• Michael Spriggs – acoustic guitar
• Keith Thomas – arranger, bass, keyboards, mixing, producer, programming
• Luz Vasquez – assistant engineer, mixing assistant
• John LeVasseur – engineer, Mellotron
• Rick Wake – producer
• Bill Whittington – mixing
• Andrew Williams – engineer, instrumentation, producer
• Ethan Willoughby – assistant
• Patrick Woodward – mixing
• Chris Yoakum – digital editing, MIDI technician
• Jonathan Yudkin – strings

Charts

Weekly charts

Template:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chart

Weekly chart performance for In This Skin

Chart (2003—2004)	Peak position
Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref name="Albums : Top 200"/>	45
Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	89
South Korean Albums (RIAK)<ref name="RIAK">Template:Cite web</ref>	18

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for In This Skin

Chart (2004)	Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	50
US Billboard 200<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	14
Worldwide Albums (IFPI)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	35

Decade-end charts

Decade-end chart performance for In This Skin

Chart (2000–2009)	Position
US Billboard 200<ref name="BillboardDecadeEnd"/>	153

Release history

Region	Date	Edition	Label	Format(s)	Catalog	Ref.
Canada	August 19, 2003	Standard	Sony Music	CD	CK 86560	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
United States			Columbia		86560	<ref name="U.S. release details">[[[:Template:AllMusic]] "U.S. release details"]. AllMusic. Retrieved June 30, 2007.</ref>
Japan	August 27, 2003		Sony Music		SICP 425	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Canada	March 2, 2004	Collector's		Template:Flatlist	CK 91876	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Europe					Template:Flatlist	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
United States			Columbia		CK 92041	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
United Kingdom	April 19, 2004	Standard	Sony Music	CD	512499000	<ref name="British release details">"British release details". Retrieved July 19, 2008.</ref>
Australia	September 4, 2004				5124399000	<ref name="Australian release details">"Australian release details" Template:Webarchive. Sony BMG. Retrieved June 30, 2007.</ref>