"Body Electric" is a defiant and powerful expression of individuality and s… Read Full Bio ↴"Body Electric" is a defiant and powerful expression of individuality and self-expression, rejecting societal norms in favor of a more authentic and true way of living.

The song is a bold expression of the singer's disregard for societal norms and conventions in favor of her own beliefs and values. The lyrics refer to Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and Jesus Christ as the singer's family and best friend, reflecting her unconventional approach to relationships.

The song also explores themes of hedonism, as the singer describes dancing and grinding with her friends every Friday night at the Grand Ole Opry. Despite her apparent detachment from conventional morality and values, the singer alludes to a feeling of brokenness and hurt, as she refers to someone who has left her and pretends to be having fun despite the pain.

The chorus, "I sing the body electric", is a reference to a poem by Walt Whitman that celebrates the human body and its connection to the natural world. The singer's use of this line suggests her rejection of societal norms and her embrace of the natural and instinctual aspects of human existence.

It is the fourth track of Lana Del Rey's third EP, Paradise.

Body Electric
Lana Del Rey Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Elvis is my daddy, Marilyn's my mother
Jesus is my bestest friend
We don't need nobody, 'cause we got each other
Or at least I pretend

We get down every Friday night
Dancin' and grindin' in the pale moonlight
Grand Ole Opry, we're feelin' alright

Mary prays the rosary for my broken mind
I said, "Don't worry 'bout it"

I sing the body electric
I sing the body electric, baby
I sing the body electric
I sing the body electric
Sing that body electric
Sing that body electric
I'm on fire
I sing that body electric

Whitman is my daddy, Monico's my mother
Diamonds are my bestest friend
Heaven is my baby, suicide's her father
Opulence is the end

We get down every Friday night
Dancin' and grindin' in the pale moonlight
Grand Ole Opry, we're feelin' alright
Mary prays the rosary for my broken mind
I said, "Don't worry 'bout it"

I sing the body electric
I sing the body electric, baby
I sing the body electric

I sing the body electric
Sing that body electric
Sing that body electric
I'm on fire
I sing that body electric

My clothes still smell like you
And all the photographs say you're still young
I pretend I'm not hurt
And go about the world like I'm havin' fun

We get crazy every Friday night
Drop it like it's hot in the pale moonlight
Grand Ole Opry, feelin' alright
Mary swayin' softly, to her heart's delight

I sing the body electric
I sing the body electric, baby
I sing the body electric
I sing the body electric
Sing that body electric
Sing that body electric
I'm on fire
I sing that body electric

I sing the body electric, baby
I sing the body electric, baby
I sing the body electric, baby

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Body Electric" by Lana Del Rey are symbolic and metaphorical. The song mentions famous icons such as Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Jesus Christ while also referencing Walt Whitman and Monico. These references represent Lana's desire for popularity, perfection, and spiritual fulfillment. She sings about being lost and needing something to cling to, which is why she mentions these larger-than-life figures.

The line "I sing the body electric" is taken from the Walt Whitman poem of the same name. The poem is about the connection between the body and the soul and the joy of being alive. Lana Del Rey's use of the line in her song is an indication that she is trying to find meaning and purpose in her life. She is searching for the electric energy that makes her feel alive and connected to the world around her.

The chorus of the song represents Lana's desire to be noticed, to be visible, and to make an impact. She wants to be heard and seen, which is why she sings "I sing the body electric" with such passion and intensity. The song also highlights the theme of self-destructive behavior, as Lana sings about suicide and opulence being the end. The lyric "my clothes still smell like you" suggests a past relationship and Lana trying to move on from it.

Overall, "Body Electric" by Lana Del Rey is a song about finding oneself, being noticed, and seeking spiritual fulfillment. The lyrics are symbolic and deeply metaphorical, inviting the listener to interpret and take meaning from the images and references layered throughout the song.

Line by Line Meaning

Elvis is my daddy, Marilyn's my mother
I am inspired by the legacies of Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe, and they serve as figures that shape my personal identity.

Jesus is my bestest friend
Spirituality is an important part of my life and I find solace in connecting with a higher power.

We don't need nobody, 'cause we got each other Or at least I pretend
I feel like an outsider and have trouble connecting with others, but I use my imagination to create a sense of belonging and closeness.

We get down every Friday night Dancin' and grindin' in the pale moonlight Grand Ole Opry, we're feelin' alright Mary prays the rosary for my broken mind I said, "Don't worry 'bout it"
I find release in partying and letting go, but deep down I know that I'm struggling mentally and rely on my faith to get through it.

I sing the body electric I sing the body electric, baby I sing the body electric I sing the body electric Sing that body electric Sing that body electric I'm on fire I sing that body electric
I use music as an outlet for my emotions and express a desire for vitality and transcendence through the body.

Whitman is my daddy, Monico's my mother Diamonds are my bestest friend Heaven is my baby, suicide's her father Opulence is the end
I see myself as part of a poetic lineage that includes Walt Whitman and use the imagery of luxury and death to express my complex relationship to desire and success.

My clothes still smell like you And all the photographs say you're still young I pretend I'm not hurt And go about the world like I'm havin' fun
I am haunted by the memory of a past love and struggle to move on, putting on a facade to avoid confronting my pain.

We get crazy every Friday night Drop it like it's hot in the pale moonlight Grand Ole Opry, feelin' alright Mary swayin' softly, to her heart's delight
I continue to seek refuge in escapism and use the image of Mary praying to suggest that even in moments of abandon, I'm reaching for something greater.

I sing the body electric, baby I sing the body electric, baby I sing the body electric, baby
Through repetition, I emphasize the centrality of music and the body to my personal mythology.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Elizabeth Grant, Richard W. Jr. Nowels

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Robert Cochran

on West Coast

Amazing how the film maker lifted the filming of this video directly from the Chet Baker documentary Let's Get Lost - black & white hanging at the beach and cruising in the backs of convertables