Before she was a pop-punk icon, Avril Lavigne was just a skater girl from Napanee with a notebook full of lyrics and a whole lot to say. In 2004, Under My Skin dropped like a gothic glitter bomb—darker, louder, and more emotionally raw than anyone expected. But beyond the hits and the eyeliner, this album has some wild behind-the-scenes stories. Here are 5 little-known facts that will make you want to spin it all over again.
1. The Album Was Born in a Malibu Beach House—With a Canadian Power Couple Behind It
Forget fancy studios. Most of Under My Skin was written and recorded in a Malibu house owned by Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace. Lavigne and Kreviazuk first bonded over lunch after the 2003 SARS benefit concert in Toronto—and within days, they were writing non-stop in Maida’s home studio. The beach house became a creative haven and ground zero for Avril’s darker era.
2. “Nobody’s Home” Was Co-Written by Evanescence’s Ben Moody
Ever wondered why “Nobody’s Home” sounds like it came straight from a haunted cathedral? That emotional wallop came courtesy of Ben Moody, fresh off his split from Evanescence. He not only co-wrote the track with Avril but also played guitar on it. It’s one of the rare moments where post-grunge, emo-pop, and Canadian angst collide perfectly.
3. Avril Directed the Sound
By her second album, Avril wrote the words as usual, but also shaping the entire sound. She insisted on choosing guitar tones, drum arrangements, and song structures. Turns out, along with being the face of her career, she was the engine.
4. The “Nobody’s Home” Video Features Easter Eggs and a Moscow Tee
In the emotional video for “Nobody’s Home,” Avril plays a runaway teen—but eagle-eyed fans caught some hidden gems. Her shirt has the Russian word “Москва” (Moscow), and the graffiti in the bathroom includes a heart with “A+D”—a sweet nod to then-boyfriend Deryck Whibley. Even in her most vulnerable moments, she kept the details personal.
5. “Take Me Away” Was Actually a Second Attempt at the Same Song Title
The dramatic album opener “Take Me Away” wasn’t the first time Avril wrote a song by that name. An earlier version, co-written with The Matrix for Let Go, never made the final cut. But she clearly wasn’t done with the phrase. The Under My Skin version hits harder—more metal, more desperate, and way more Avril.
Under My Skin proved that Avril could evolve without losing her edge, could go darker without losing her spark. And nearly 20 years later, it still rocks just as hard. Time to crank it up and let those emo feelings back in—loud and proud.