Jesse Michaels – vocals
Tim Armstrong – guitar
Matt Freeman – bass
Dave Mello – drums
Healthy Body
Operation Ivy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
expensive vitamin pills and wheat germ on your windowsill your schedules hectic and you got no time to kill you're earning money and spending it the right way you're just in such a rush you don't know if its night or day 5:30 get up and you run, run, run then you work eight hours slaving under the gun your little world's based on lies lies lies always rushing but you're never ever satisfied healthy body sick mind you're working overtime healthy body sick mind too hectic too hectic healthy body sick mind its just a matter of time sick body sick mind the money you spend on running shoes could feed me for a week your plans are laid so well you can't even sleep pursuit of happiness got your life locked up under martial law you got everything to lose so you're paranoid about some fatal flaw
The lyrics to Operation Ivy's song, "Healthy Body," are a commentary on the fast-paced, capitalist society in which we live. The first few lines mention expensive vitamin pills and wheat germ, which implies that the singer is addressing someone who is focused on health and wellness. However, they then go on to say that this person's schedule is too busy for them to take the time to truly take care of themselves. The singer also notes that this person is earning a lot of money, but is constantly rushing and never satisfied.
As the song progresses, the chorus repeats the phrase "healthy body sick mind," which could be interpreted in several ways. It could mean that the person has neglected their mental health in their pursuit of physical health, or it could mean that their dedication to their job (and the stresses that come with it) has taken a toll on both their mind and body. The singer then points out the irony of this person's lifestyle - they are working themselves to the bone to maintain their image of a healthy, successful individual, but are in fact becoming sick and unhappy.
The final lines of the song suggest that the pursuit of happiness has become a trap for this person. They have everything to lose and are consumed by a fear of failure, which makes them paranoid and unable to fully enjoy their life. In this way, the song is a scathing critique of a society that values productivity and material success above all else.
Line by Line Meaning
expensive vitamin pills and wheat germ on your windowsill
You spend a lot of money on fancy health supplements and food items at home.
your schedules hectic and you got no time to kill
Your busy schedule leaves you with no free time to relax.
you're earning money and spending it the right way
You believe you are being responsible with your earnings by investing in your health.
you're just in such a rush you don't know if its night or day
Your constant rushing around makes it difficult for you to keep track of time.
5:30 get up and you run, run, run
You wake up very early and immediately start rushing around to get things done.
then you work eight hours slaving under the gun
You spend a full day working hard and feeling pressured to perform.
your little world's based on lies lies lies
You are living a life that is built on falsehoods and illusions.
always rushing but you're never ever satisfied
Despite your constant activity, you never feel fulfilled or satisfied with your life.
healthy body sick mind
Your focus on physical health has come at the cost of mental and emotional well-being.
you're working overtime
You are dedicating extra time and energy to your work, likely at the expense of other areas of your life.
too hectic too hectic
Your life is too busy and fast-paced for your own good.
its just a matter of time
Your current lifestyle is unsustainable and will eventually lead to a breakdown or crisis.
sick body sick mind
Your health is deteriorating, both physically and mentally.
the money you spend on running shoes could feed me for a week
You are spending a lot of money on expensive exercise equipment and clothing that could be put to better use elsewhere.
your plans are laid so well you can't even sleep
Your obsessiveness with planning and achieving goals is keeping you up at night and causing stress.
pursuit of happiness got your life locked up under martial law
Your quest for happiness has become so all-consuming that it is controlling every aspect of your life.
you got everything to lose so you're paranoid about some fatal flaw
Your fear of losing everything you've worked for is causing you to be overly anxious and paranoid about mistakes or failures.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: DAVID M MELLO, JESSE MICHAELS, ROGER MATTHEW FREEMAN, TIMOTHY ARMSTRONG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
dale boren
whenever I hear these guys I can actually feel my soul skankin to the beat, love these guys so much.
BeardleProductions
One of the most amazing songs ever made, hands down.
brooksysdead
Still listening in 2022, Im now 40 years old , first got turned on to these guys when i was 12, been a lifer ever since. They were ahead of their time👏
Hanna Young
these guys never get old...LONG LIVE PUNK ROCK!
Frank Miller
My first OpIvy tune I've ever heard, love it.
Jesse Nolan
Its december 23rd 2018, im still listining to operation ivy!!!! Great music never goes away!!!
byron Scott
my friends told me the other day that op ivy was good when we were in middle school. i replied "op ivy is still good its just your taste has gone to shit"
Ian Strange
i'd love to listen to this all day, but i gotta go work eight hours slaving under neath the gun :/
Zach Cooley
operation ivy may not exist physically but their music will continue to exist.
catchilupi
I just listened to the 2nd verse to figure out how he fit all those words into the lyrics... oh.
"Pursuit of happiness got ya life locked 'under Marshall Law, You got everything to lose so ya' para' 'bout some fatal flaw."