Moby found commercial and critical success with his fifth album Play (1999), which, after receiving little recognition, became an unexpected global hit in 2000 after each track was licensed to films, television shows, and commercials. It remains his highest selling album with 12 million copies sold. Its seventh single, "South Side", featuring Gwen Stefani, remains his only one to appear on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 14. Moby followed Play with albums of varied styles including electronic, dance, rock, and downtempo music, starting with 18 (2002), Hotel (2005), and Last Night (2008). His later albums saw him explore ambient music, including the almost four-hour release Long Ambients 1: Calm. Sleep. (2016). Moby continues to record and release albums; his twenty-first studio album, Resound NYC, was released in May 2023.
In addition to his music career, Moby is known for his veganism and support for animal rights and humanitarian aid. He was the owner of TeaNY, a vegan cafe in Manhattan, and Little Pine, a vegan restaurant in Los Angeles, and organized the vegan music and food festival Circle V. He is the author of four books, including a collection of his photography and two memoirs: Porcelain: A Memoir (2016) and Then It Fell Apart (2019).
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moby
Discography
Moby (1992)
Ambient (1993)
Everything Is Wrong (1995)
Animal Rights (1996)
Play (1999)
18 (2002)
Hotel (2005)
Last Night (2008)
Wait for Me (2009)
Destroyed (2011)
Innocents (2013)
Long Ambients 1: Calm. Sleep. (2016)
These Systems Are Failing (2016)
More Fast Songs About the Apocalypse (2017)
Everything Was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt (2018)
Long Ambients 2 (2019)
All Visible Objects (2020)
Live Ambient Improvised Recordings Vol. 1 (2020)
Reprise (2021)
Ambient 23 (2023)
Resound NYC (2023)
Verb: That
Moby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To be, to see, to feel, to live
And I put my heart in action
To run, to go, to get, to give
'cause that's where I find satisfaction
To search, to find, to have, to hold
When I use my imagination
I think, I plot, I plan, I dream
Well I make, I write, I dance, I sing
'cause I get my thing in action
Yeah I get my thing in action
Go!
When I'm feeling really active
Well I run, I ride, I swim, I fly!
Other times when life is easy
Oh I rest, I sleep, I sit, I lie
I can take a noun and bend it
Make it a verb and really send it!
'cause I get my thing in action
And I don't know my own power
I can question; like what is it?
I can order; like go get it!
When I need I really need it
When I see I got to have it
'cause I put my thing in action
Yeah I put my thing in action
Yeah I get my thing in action
And I don't even know my power
No!
In "Verb," Moby sings about his passion for taking action and using his imagination to create and achieve. He believes that satisfaction comes from actively pursuing his goals, whether that means searching for something, achieving it, or holding onto it. Moby is someone who never wants to be passive in life; he wants to be constantly in motion and doing something, whether that means running, riding, swimming, or even writing and singing. He sees himself as someone with power, someone who can take nouns and turn them into verbs that have the ability to send a message and make a difference in the world.
Moby's lyrics are quite unique in the sense that he focuses on the power of action and imagination to create change in one's life. He is someone who wants to inspire others to pursue their passions and believe in their own power to make things happen. The song is an upbeat, fast-paced anthem that urges listeners to get up and get moving, to make their dreams a reality through the power of action and imagination.
Line by Line Meaning
I get my thing in action
I actively pursue my passions and interests
To be, to see, to feel, to live
I explore the world and experience it through all my senses, fully engaging with it
And I put my heart in action
I pour my emotions and energy into everything I do
To run, to go, to get, to give
I am motivated to achieve my goals and give back to others
'cause that's where I find satisfaction
I find fulfillment in pursuing my passions and focusing on what I love
To search, to find, to have, to hold
I seek, discover, achieve, and maintain what brings me happiness and joy
When I use my imagination
I tap into my creative side to envision new possibilities and ideas
I think, I plot, I plan, I dream
I strategize and construct detailed plans to achieve my aspirations
Turning in towards creation
I focus on building and creating, using my creativity to manifest my ideas
Well, I make, I write, I dance, I sing
I express myself through various art forms to channel my creativity and emotions
'cause I get my thing in action
I am always taking action towards my goals and passions
Yeah I get my thing in action
I am always actively pursuing my ambitions
Go!
I am driven to take action and achieve my goals
When I'm feeling really active
I am energized and motivated to engage in physical activities
Well, I run, I ride, I swim, I fly!
I engage in various physical activities to maintain my physical and mental health
Other times when life is easy
When life is not as demanding, I take it easy
Oh I rest, I sleep, I sit, I lie
I take time for self-care and relaxation to recharge my batteries
I can take a noun and bend it
I have the power to transform and manipulate words to create new ideas
Make it a verb and really send it!
I bring my ideas to life by taking action and putting them into motion
And I don't know my own power
I am not fully aware of my own potential and the impact I can have
I can question; like what is it?
I have the ability to think critically and ask questions about the world around me
I can order; like go get it!
I have the ability to take charge and make things happen
When I need I really need it
I have a strong drive and motivation to pursue what I desire
When I see I got to have it
When I see an opportunity or goal, I am compelled to take action and achieve it
'Cause I put my thing in action
I am constantly taking action towards my goals and aspirations
Yeah, I put my thing in action
I am always actively pursuing my ambitions
And I don't even know my power
I am not fully aware of my own potential and the impact I can have
No!
I am determined to discover my full potential and make a difference in the world
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jmarcguy
I always watch this with a grin on my face. I lost my mom recently so the ending choked me up now. Best time of my life. Miss you mommy. ❤️❤️❤️
Aaron Handy III
Condolences on your loss. The ending where mom and son hug kicks me right in the feels every time. 😥
m sheppard
@Kate Yissakhar thanks
Kate Yissakhar
Sorry to hear about your loss...*hugs*
m sheppard
Me too
yupeo
The ending part is always my favorite! Where he runs home to hug his mom!
Norm Appleton
Yeah, I love it too
Ky'a Jackson
Can I just say that those background singers were JAMMING!!!! This was my absolute favorite schoolhouse rock videos when I was younger and it STILL makes me smile. I wish I could tell all those involved how much I loved their work. #VERBThatsWhatsHappening
Lyndell Jones
Yes, that was the best part. He looked so cute jumping into his mother's arms and being cuddled. This was a great cartoon!! That's why at 45 I haven't outgrown this. Cartoons back then were beautiful and had feeling. This was wonderful and exciting.
jedisquidward
It's a beautiful moment. Cartoons today definitely have great emotional moments too if you look for them