Read Full Bio ↴This is the eighth track off of Grimes' third studio album, Visions.
The Japanese title of this song refers to the concept of Wabi-Sabi, which represents a Japanese worldview that beauty is impermanent.
“I don’t have a phone,” Boucher said. “Everyone I know is always on their f—ing phone on the Internet all the time. I just wanted to write a song about being alive in the real world – ‘be a body.’ – Grimes in an interview for The Vancouver Sun (http://web.archive.org/web/20120509042813/http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Grimes+spotlight+with+brilliant+Visions/6175085/story.html#ixzz3PmpHo8WX)
Be a Body
Grimes Lyrics
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Don't want a man, what a sight
'Cause I want to call home
Don't want peace of mind
Don't want a man, what a sight
'Cause I want to call home
(Be a body)
I close my eyes until I see
I don't need hands to touch me
Be a body
I lean on walls until I stand
I touch my face with my hand
Be a body
I close my eyes until I see
I don't need hands to touch me
Be a body
I lean on walls until I stand
I touch my face with my hand
Be a body
(To the rhythm I go)
Be a body
So then what am I?
(To the rhythm I go)
Be a body
So then what am I?
Be a body
So then what am I?
Be a body
So then what am I?
(To the rhythm I go)
Don't want peace of mind
Don't want a man, what a sight
'Cause I want to call home
(Be a body)
Don't want peace of mind
Don't want a man, what a sight
'Cause I want to call home
The song "Be a Body" by Grimes is a haunting and enigmatic piece of music that centers around themes of isolation and detachment. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and a need for human connection, juxtaposed with a desire to escape from the constraints of the physical world. The repeated refrain of "be a body" can be interpreted as an invitation to fully inhabit one's own physicality, to embrace the sensations and experiences that come with being alive. At the same time, the song seems to suggest that even in our bodies, we remain disconnected and alone, unable to fully reach out to others or find a true sense of home.
One possible interpretation of the song is that it represents a commentary on the experience of living in a highly digitized and virtual world. The lyrics speak to a sense of alienation and dislocation that can arise from living our lives primarily online, interacting with others through screens rather than in person. The repeated refrain of "be a body" may be a call to return to the physical world and to reconnect with our own embodied experiences.
Another possible interpretation is that the song is about the search for meaning in a world that can feel chaotic and overwhelming. The lyrics suggest a desire for something more than just empty pleasures or material possessions; the singer wants to "call home" to something deeper and more profound. The repeated refrain of "be a body" can be seen as a way of grounding oneself in the physical world and finding a sense of purpose and presence within it.
Overall, "Be a Body" is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant song that invites listeners to contemplate the nature of human existence and our place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't want peace of mind
I am not looking for a state of mental tranquility or calm, but instead seeking something more dynamic and exciting.
Don't want a man, what a sight
I am not seeking a romantic partner or male companion, as it is not my current desire.
'Cause I want to call home
I long for a place where I truly belong and can feel completely comfortable and at ease, like a home.
I close my eyes until I see
I am able to imagine and visualize things even with my eyes closed, as I have a vivid imagination and inner world.
I don't need hands to touch me
I am able to experience sensations and pleasure without needing anyone else to physically touch me, as I am self-sufficient and independent.
Be a body
Embrace and fully inhabit your physical form, and revel in the sensations and experiences that come with it.
I lean on walls until I stand
I use external supports and structures to help me come into my own and be a fully realized person, but am ultimately able to stand on my own and be independent.
I touch my face with my hand
I am able to physically explore and experience my own body and sensations, without needing anyone else to do so for me.
(To the rhythm I go)
I am living my life and embracing my physicality in a way that feels natural and spontaneous, like I am moving to the beat of my own drum.
So then what am I?
Despite my physicality and embodiment, I am still struggling to understand my identity and place in the world.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Claire Elise Boucher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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