Moby plays keyboards, guitar and bass guitar. He took his performing name from the novel Moby-Dick by Herman Melville, who is his great-great-granduncle. His work, while focused in general on various forms of electronic music, have explored many other styles.
Early years
Moby used to be in a punk rock band called the Vatican Commandos, which was formed in 1980. The group evolved away from punk in 1989 for electronic music. He realized his music tastes and growth were going in a different direction than his previous band's vibe, and he broke off on his own.
His first album "The Story So Far (aka Moby)" featured the single "Go", which gained popularity in many discos, and earned a spot on the UK charts. The song is so popular that Moby still plays "Go" regularly in his sets. "Go" is a progressive track using the string line from "Laura Palmer's Theme" from the TV drama Twin Peaks.
1994-1998
His first album for the UK based MUTE Records was Everything Is Wrong (which had US distribution via Elektra) , which earned early critical praise and minor commercial success. He followed that up with a hard rock/electronic album called Animal Rights in 1996. In 1997, he released I Like to Score, a collection of music included in movies. Among those tracks was an updated version of the James Bond theme used for the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies. However, both Animal Rights and I Like to Score had only limited success and Moby and Elektra parted company however he remained signed to MUTE.
1999-2004
After a decade's worth of music, Moby's breakthrough album was 1999's Play. Mainstream reviewers raved about his talents on the album (released on V2 Records) though some early fans were let down. The album has 18 tracks and was the first album in history to have all of its tracks commercially licensed: "Porcelain," for instance, appeared on TV commercials for Bailey's Irish Cream, Hong Kong's PCCW and Nordstrom, and Volkswagen's MKIV Jetta; "Find My Baby" was on a commercial for American Express featuring golfer Tiger Woods. The album's tracks eventually were accepted in various radio formats, but because of Play's extensive licensing, the album could have been financially successful even without radio play. In addition to fame garnered through its licensing, Play is also notable for its extensive sampling of old blues recordings collected by Alan Lomax. In a 2005 posting on his web site, Moby theorized that his eagerness to license his music is a result of "growing up in poverty."
In 2001, Moby founded the Area:One Festival. It was a popular touring rock festival that featured an eclectic range of musical genres. A second tour was organized for the following year.
In 2001 Moby also earned the ire of Eminem after calling his music misogynistic and homophobic; Eminem later satirized Moby (among others) in "Without Me," calling him a "fag" and questioning his relevance with the claim "Nobody listens to techno." Moby replied that he hadn't played techno since 1992. The two were in a confrontation at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, though Moby expresses respect for Eminem as an artist.
In 2002, Moby briefly had a television show on MTV, Señor Moby's House of Music, which focused mostly on more obscure electronic music. Also in 2002, Moby released 18, an album that had 18 tracks. The most popular song on the album was "We Are All Made of Stars". Moby says he wrote "We Are All Made of Stars" because of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks, which happened on his birthday.
2005
In 2005 Moby released "Lift Me Up", a single from his album Hotel, which featured, in addition to numerous remixes, UK company Digimpro's software. The program allows users to remix the song - using any or all of the samples included—and save it as an MP3 file. Thus unlimited, personalized versions of the title track were possible. Digimpro had previously seen exposure with group Erasure's single "Breathe," allowing users the same ability. Instead of his usual usage of samples, all of the vocals and instruments on "Hotel" were performed live in the studio by Moby and vocalist Laura Dawn, who is the Cultural Director of MoveOn.org.
For certain dates on Moby's 2005 European tour, Liveherenow provided concert goers with CDs of the show 10 minutes after the show finished. Other Mute Records artists like Erasure and Client have previously used this company for similar reasons.
2006
Moby has recently scored the soundtrack for Richard Kelly's upcoming movie 'The Southland Tales'. Whilst he is generally against composing music for films, he was a huge fan of Kelly's previous film 'Donnie Darko' and could not resist the offer the director gave him.
ITV in the United Kingdom use Moby's song "Lift Me Up" for their coverage of Formula One racing by using the song as the intro. and also snippets to segues for interviews and advertisements.
Also, Moby had one of his older songs used in a Original HBO series, The Sopranos. This song, "When its Cold I'd like to Die" was used in the last scene in which Tony was in his dream state.
Besides music
Moby is a vegan, non-denominational Christian and self-proclaimed "simpleton" (for his often sincere and idealistic political assessments).
Moby lives in New York City. Until recently he co-owned a small restaurant and coffee shop called TeaNY, where he occasionally waited tables. He also organized the Little Idiot Collective, a group of artists that also includes cartoonist and musician James Kochalka. He's a huge fan of the TV series "The Simpsons".
Moby's official website is at moby.com.
Activism
Moby is a well known advocate for a variety of progressive causes, working with MoveOn.org, and PETA, among others. He created MoveOn Voter Fund's "Bush in 30 Seconds" contest along with singer Laura Dawn and MoveOn Executive Director Eli Pariser.
He also actively engages in nonpartisan activism. He has performed benefit concerts for the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function, promoting music therapy. Moby also serves on the Board of Directors of Amend.org, a nonprofit that implements injury prevention programs in Africa.
He is an advocate of network neutrality and he testified before the US House committee debating the issue in 2006.
Bodyrock
Moby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
Get down baby, gonna make you freak
Rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
Get down baby, gonna make you freak
Rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
Today is rock ya'all
No stop ya'll
To the beat ya'all
The bodyrock ya'll
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
Get down baby, let me go make you freak
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
Get down baby, let me go set you freakin'
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
Get down baby, let me go make you freak
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
Get down baby, let me go set you freakin'
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
Get down baby, gonna make you freak
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
Get down
The lyrics to Moby's "Bodyrock" are simple and repetitive, focusing on the idea of rocking and moving to the beat. The song is an upbeat dance track with a classic electronic sound.
The repetition of "rock ya'all, no stop ya'all, to the beat ya'all, the bodyrock ya'all" is reminiscent of the call and response style of many traditional African-American gospel and soul songs. The lyrics are an invitation to the listener to join in and move their body to the music. Moby's shouting vocals and the driving beat of the song invite the listener to let go and simply enjoy the physical experience of dancing.
The song's title "Bodyrock" also emphasizes the physical aspect of the music, suggesting that the focus here is on moving one's body to the rhythm. The lyrics repeatedly refer to "rocking the body" and "making you freak", reinforcing the idea that this is dance music meant to be experienced through movement.
In many ways, "Bodyrock" is a celebration of the power of music to move us both physically and emotionally. The song's repetitive lyrics and driving beat create a sense of energy and excitement that encourages the listener to let go and simply enjoy the experience of dancing.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock ya'all
Let's start rocking!
No stop ya'll
Don't stop, keep going!
To the beat ya'all
Stay on the rhythm - it's what drives us!
The bodyrock ya'll
Let's focus on moving our body with the music!
Today is rock ya'all
Every day is a new chance to rock and dance!
We rock the body, rock the body, come on
Let's give it our all and really get into the music!
Get down baby, gonna make you freak
Let's get low and let the music take control - it's going to be wild!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Mute Song Limited, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gabriel M Jackson, Morgan C Robinson, Richard Melville Hall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
I need a better pfp
Getting fit and funky, is that your desire?
Get down and boogie till you catch fire
(Hoo! Hoo!)
Dancing shakes the soul and makes you feel alive,
shapes up your body--high five!
(Shape! Shape!)
You've got the will to get fit and trim
Now shake a leg and you will get slim
(You know it, baby!)
Turning heads on the singles scene
You'll be the fitness king or queen
(Your Majesty!)
Now it's time to get on the floor
then dance and dance and dance some more
Show them all how you get it done
with moves as hot as the sun!
Getting fit and funky, is that your desire?
Get down and boogie till you catch fire
(Hoo! Hoo!)
Dancing shakes the soul and makes you feel alive,
shapes up your body--high five!
(Shape! Shape!)
Yo, it's time to show me all your fine moves
I hear the music playin'--do you feel the fine grooves?
Dancing's the key, and life is the lock
I'll talk the talk while you walk the walk
The beat starts and you're in motion
Dance will transform you like a potion!
There's no stopping you now!
Boogie-body rhythm and magic dancing charms
Height-weight proportioned, nice legs and arms
(Yeah! Yeah!)
Once you start, you'll never want to stop
Makes your mind spin and body rock!
Ahhhh!
(Rock the house!)
Desmond
Rock ya'all,
No stop ya'll,
To the beat ya'all,
The bodyrock ya'll,
Today is rock ya'all,
No stop ya'll,
To the beat ya'all,
The bodyrock ya'll,
We rock the party,
Rock the party,
Come on [x7]
Get down
When we're gona make you freak
[Interlude (x2):]
We rock the party,
Rock the party,
Come on
Get down
When we're gona make you freak han hun
We rock the party,
Rock the party,
Come on
Get down
When we're gona set you freak it
Stu Pendous
late 90s/early 00s electronic music was phenomenal
cechly
well after all, for me everything looks like was phenomenal in the 90's.. idk why, it somehow does.
k a r l
@cechly it's cuz those 240p cameras make it look so spotless and nostalgically bright & beautiful..
Un Pop
MTV AMP!!!
zach green
Felt like that music was so good it couldn't help but be successful even though it sounded anticommercial compared to everything that was popular at the time.
baronvg
Now that it’s been decades, this song still sounds good today and doesn’t sounded dated which goes to show how ahead of its time it was.
Dillon Crow
Tbf, a bunch of 90s and early 2000s music still sounds fresh. That's why the 90s is known in the art world as the decade that never ended.
Mariela Fenoglio
The whole Play album is a masterpiece.
Gerardus Poppel
I agree and aprouve this message
Aus Trails
Not one bad track/song