Bodhisattva
Toto Lyrics
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Would you take me by the hand
Bodhisattva
Would you take me by the hand
Can you show me
The shine of your Japan
The sparkle of your china
Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
And I'll be there
To shine in your Japan
To sparkle in your China
Yes I'll be there
Bodhisattva
The lyrics of Toto's song "Bodhisattva" revolve around a spiritual concept known as Bodhisattva in Buddhist traditions. The term means "enlightenment being" or "one who is destined for enlightenment," and it refers to individuals who strive to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. In the song, the singer addresses the Bodhisattva, asking them to take him by the hand and show him the shine of their Japan and the sparkle of their China. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the Bodhisattva showing the singer the wisdom and enlightenment of the Eastern spiritual traditions.
The singer then declares his intention to sell his house in town and travel to Japan and China to be with the Bodhisattva and shine and sparkle alongside them. This can be seen as a symbolic act of renunciation and devotion, as the singer is willing to give up his worldly possessions and comforts to pursue spiritual enlightenment and join the ranks of the Bodhisattvas.
Line by Line Meaning
Bodhisattva
Addressing the concept of Bodhisattva, a being who seeks enlightenment and helps others on the path to enlightenment
Would you take me by the hand
Asking for guidance and help from a Bodhisattva
Can you show me
Requesting to be taught or instructed
The shine of your Japan
Asking to see the beauty and brightness of Japan (which can refer both to the country and the culture)
The sparkle of your china
Asking to see the brilliance and radiance of China (again, this can refer to the country and the culture)
Bodhisattva
Again addressing Bodhisattva, the being who can provide guidance and instruction
I'm gonna sell my house in town
Making a commitment to change one's current lifestyle and circumstances
And I'll be there
Expressing the desire to be present in the places of beauty and enlightenment
To shine in your Japan
Aspiring to find enlightenment and to share it with others in Japan
To sparkle in your China
Aspiring to find enlightenment and to share it with others in China
Yes I'll be there
Affirming the commitment to be present and to seek enlightenment
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
scott perine
One of the best Steely Dan covers that you will ever hear…
iroulis
Of course. The lyrics and riffs are great, but the drums are what makes this song.
Porcaro played on Dan's 3rd and 4th (as main drummer) albums when he was 20-1.
Frank Moscarell, Jr
@Bayouflier I just did, and must politely disagree, they did it too slow for me
Bayouflier
I think Setzer's is better. Check it out.
Cass
I adore both bands as equal, I just love the fact that Toto have the stones to play and pull this song off live!
Debora Bielik
I like Toto’s version better.
Robert Dillon
Steve is s guitar legend
Nah nope
@joe Considering that toto was partially made up of people who performed on steely dan albums... lol
Jeffrey Day
here are some real stones (and they're barely past puberty) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jylN5BjCq8Y
joe
These "bands" are hardly equal, but yeah, impressed that they covered this and did it well - no small feat