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)
Voodoo Child
Moby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a voodoo child
(Child, child)
I'm a voodoo child
(Child, child)
I'm a voodoo child
I'm a voodoo child
(Child, child)
I'm a voodoo child
I'm a voodoo child
I'm a voodoo child
(Child, child)
I'm a voodoo child
(Child, child)
I'm a voodoo child
The lyrics of Moby's song "Voodoo Child" seem to be a simple repetition of the phrase "I'm a voodoo child" over and over again. However, the use of the term "voodoo child" has strong connotations of mysticism, spirituality, and a connection to the supernatural. The reference to voodoo, which originated in West Africa and has been incorporated into various Caribbean and Afro-American cultures, is associated with magic, ritual, and the manipulation of natural and spiritual forces for one's own benefit.
The repetition of the phrase "I'm a voodoo child" in the song could be interpreted as a mantra, a way for the singer to connect with his or her own inner power, or to assert a sense of identity as someone who is open to the mysteries of the world. The song's slow, hypnotic beat, combined with the singer's ethereal voice, creates a dreamlike atmosphere that could evoke a trance-like state or a state of deep reflection.
In this way, "Voodoo Child" could be seen as a celebration of the unknown and the mysterious, and a call to embrace our own inner spirituality and connection to the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a voodoo child
I am a person who practices voodooism, a religion which originates from West Africa, that is commonly associated with witchcraft and sorcery.
(Child, child)
The repetition of 'child' emphasizes the person's child-like and playful nature, as well as a sense of innocence despite their association with voodooism.
Contributed by Isabella H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Barry Edmond
The utter hugeness of this track cannot be measured! It was on the first rave tape I ever had, and I'll never forget it :)
PetShopMod
Totally under-rated and not just from a nostalgic point of view. First blew my ears in 92 as a wee tacker at my first warehouse. No drugs or milk, just listened and danced my ass off to it.
Joshua Helmeke
PetShopMod, same...Battle Royal, U of M (Saint Paul Campus), November of 1999. The scene was life changing back then.
Nebula2, Joe Nebula & Back2You
Totally rated as just a stomper
theironbutterfly1
When people who listened to Techno said this wasn’t Techno, and the people who Didn’t listen to Techno said it Was Techno!??? When you just couldn’t label it to fit it in your certain category, this was always an epic gem of a harmonious melody to have inside your head! ❤
tknox39
This song and others similar was considered what we used to call "dirty house" back in the day. Wasn't really techno. I guess it could be blended quite well in a classic techno mix 👍
Greg Dixson
can't believe just ID'd this track after like 30 years. It was on a Grooverider live mixtape from '91. It banged!
John Bergman
This blew my mind back in the day!
TheDJKrul
Mine too!!
lfo57
Toujours aussi bon !!!