(Yeah)

God gave me the sunshine
Then showed me my lifeline
I was told it was all mine
Then I got laid on the ley line
What a day, what a day
And your Jesus really died for me
Then Jesus really tried for me

Uk and entropy
I feel like it's fucking me
Wanna feed off the energy
Love living like a deity
One a day, one day
And your Jesus really died for me
I guess Jesus really tried for me

Bodies in the bodhi tree
Bodies making chemistry
Bodies of my family
Bodies in the way of me
Bodies in the cemetery
And that's the way it's gonna be

All we've ever wanted is to look good naked
Hope that someone can take it
God save me rejection from my reflection
I want perfection

Praying for the rapture
'Cause it's stranger getting stranger
And everything's contagious
It's the modern middle ages
All day, every day
And if Jesus really died for me
Then Jesus really tried for me

Bodies in the bodhi tree
Bodies making chemistry
Bodies of my family
Bodies in the way of me
Bodies in the cemetery
And that's the way it's gonna be

All we've ever wanted is to look good naked
Hope that someone can take it
God save me rejection from my reflection
I want perfection

(Yeah)

Bodies in the bodhi tree
Bodies making chemistry
Bodies of my family
Bodies in the way of me
Bodies in the cemetery
Bodies in the bodhi tree
Bodies making chemistry
Bodies of my family
Bodies in the way of me
Bodies in the cemetery
And that's the way it's gonna be

All we've ever wanted is to look good naked
Hope that someone can take it (someone can take it)
God save me rejection from my reflection
I want perfection

Jesus didn't die for you (Jesus didn't die for you)
What are you on? (I want perfection)
Jesus didn't die for you (Jesus didn't die for you)
What are you on? (bodies can die young) oh, Lord

Jesus didn't die for you (oh)
Jesus didn't die for you
Jesus didn't die for you (oh)


Lyrics submitted by HmGirly, edited by 1Seanjohn, samreid

Bodies Lyrics as written by Craig Russo Robert Peter Williams

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Bodies song meanings
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27 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    In contrast to a lot of opinions here I don't believe that this song is a representation on Robbie's belief in God/Christianity. Infact, I think it's the opposite. He said in a recent interview that he was raised Catholic but now he is an athiest. Also, he has said that the line 'Jesus didn't die for you' is in reference to the War in Iraq. George Bush went to war under the view that it was 'Holy'/in God'd name. Therefore 'Jesus didn't die for you' means that Jesus didn't for us to go to war.

    This ties in with the line in the second verse: 'It's the modern middle ages'. Every one has heard of the Crusades in the Middle ages (Holy war in Jerusalem between Christianty, Islam and Judaism) these crusades were began when Pope Urban told society that if they went to war they would go to heaven becuase they are fighting for their deity (when really it was about money and power). So Irag/Afganistan is a repeat of the 11th Century - it's the modern middle ages!

    That's my interpretation.

    monsoon2285on October 16, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    Robbie has found God and is a believer. He does however have some questions, especially relating to the use of his/our bodies. This song is a response to someone who has told him that our bodies sole purpose is to transport our spirit/soul on this journey of life until we get to heaven. He delves into what he believes and other uses of our bodies throughout the song, especially the chorus. I think he is also saying that we are giving our bodies too much priority over looking after our minds. Eg, too much time at the gym and sun baking to look perfect to try and attract your next lay.

    Another thought. Lyrics from my favourite band TOOL- Over thinking, over analyzing, seperate the body from the mind.

    Iva Thorton September 09, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This song struck me as really quite weird and I've got an even weirder explanation.

    The song is one of double entendre. On the surface, it is talking about humanity’s / Robbie’s personal journey / issues with physical appearance. But there is a much deeper profound meaning stepped in the Judeo-Christian religion

    The song is sung from the perspective of Lucifer, who according to the Judeo-Christian religion, was God’s greatest creation. Lucifer was head angel but fell victim to vanity thinking himself perfect and rebelled against his creator when informed that he was made to serve humanity, along with 1/3 of the heavenly bodies / angels / ‘the fallen’ (his family)

    He recounts the day he fell, losing his beauty through this rebellion / sin / evil (entrophy) but has found power through it (evil) in this world.

    He demonstrates his disdain for humanity with the body references, like some sort of putrid edifice that he sees everywhere. 'Bodhi' is the Sanskrit word for enlightenment, thus he begins with a metaphorical reference with the bodies / carcasses in the tree of enlightment / knowldege of good and evil (ie the tree that Adam and Eve are associated with). He then referes to human procreation / expanding population, bodies that are ‘on’ his family (dwelling within human beings), bodies everywhere getting in the way, lots of dead bodies is the way “its gonna be”.

    He then sings in plural about how he and the fallen have been stripped of their beauty and must clothe their appearance. They just want to look good naked ie how they once did, they just want perfection.

    The whole “Jesus didn’t die for you” thing is again double entendre. On one hand he’s talking to himself in first person, Jesus didn’t die for you / ‘the fallen’ but allegedly for these humans / bodies. But he’s also talking to humans / bodies in spite saying you are just like us / in the same sad “fallen” stated just wanting perfection and your hope / ‘salvation’ is in vain (“Jesus didn’t die for you”).

    Thoughts?

    curleighandmoweon October 13, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I was also thinking that the song tracks Robbie as he goes through his career, ie in the beginning he feels as if he is 'living like a deity' he has bags of confidence he believes in God and his love for him 'Jesus died for me'. Then as time goes on he starts to doubt himself 'Jesus didn’t die for you' he tells himself, even as the backing singers sing 'Jesus died for you' (maybe his fans still believing in him)but he is still doubting himself. Also the reference to God saving him from his reflection could be that he sees himself as his own worst enemy and the one who keeps putting himself down. The bodies I think refer to every one around him who is present in his life but that he feels no immediate connection to ie the press, his critics and to some extent his fans. Finally I think the reference to looking good naked could mean he hopes that even if he was stripped of every thing he would still be accepted and loved.

    domesticcaton October 15, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I hace a few things to add...and a few corrections so just posted my version. Don't need to use these if you don't agree :-)

    God gave me the sunshine, Then showed me my lifeline I was told it was all mine, Then I got laid on a ley line What a day, what a day, And your Jesus really died for me Then Jesus really tried for me

    UK and entropy, I feel like its fuckin' me Wanna feed off the energy, Love living like a deity What a day, one day, And your Jesus really died for me I guess Jesus really tried for me

    Bodies in the Bodhi tree, Bodies making chemistry Bodies are my family, Bodies in the way of me Bodies in the cemetery, And that's the way it's gonna be

    All we've ever wanted Is to look good naked Hope that someone can take it God save me rejection From my reflection, I want perfection

    Praying for the rapture, 'Cause it's stranger getting stranger And everything’s contagious It's the modern middle ages All day every day And if Jesus really died for me Then Jesus really tried for me

    Bodies in the Bodhi tree, Bodies making chemistry Bodies are my family, Bodies in the way of me Bodies in the cemetery, And that's the way it's gonna be

    All we've ever wanted Is to look good naked Hope that someone can take it God save me rejection From my reflection, I want perfection

    Bodies in the Bodhi tree, Bodies making chemistry Bodies on my family, Bodies in the way of me Bodies in the cemetery, Bodies in the bodhi tree, Bodies making chemistry Bodies on my family, Bodies in the way of me Bodies in the cemetery, And that's the way it's gonna be

    All we've ever wanted Is to look good naked Hope that someone can take it So God save me rejection From my reflection, I want perfection

    Jesus didn't die for you, what do you want? (I want perfection) Jesus didn't die for you, what are you on? Oh Lord (Jesus really died for you) Ohh (Jesus really died for you) (Jesus really died for you) Ohhhhhhh

    Monty10on September 09, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Thanks so much :)

    HmGirlyon September 09, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Did Robbie actually write the song?? It might have been written by someone else who has theses views!! Just a possibility!! Maybe Robbie is just singing the song, rather than singing them and believing them!!

    Charlopolyon October 18, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    LOVE this part in the song; "All we've ever wanted Is to look good naked Hope that someone can take it God save me rejection From my reflection, I want perfection"

    Because let's be honest, at some point in our lives we want/wanted someone to accept the way we look. When we look in the mirror we don't want to see flaws, we want pure, absolute (unreal) perfection.

    Isabelle13on November 29, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Here's a short stab at this - others above have done some great drilling down on this.

    I think this is Robbie reflecting on a body vs spirit theme. Particularly, he sees and fears both our obsession with bodies, and their uselessness at the same time. His first two verses talk about how his body drives (sex, drugs, admiration) control him. The 3rd verse Rapture etc is almost like hoping for escape from his body, because everythings infectious (something that the body is in danger of).

    The pre-chorus ends with "bodies in the cemetary, and thats the way its gonna be" - this is the key line for me. Clearly Robbie believes in the spirtual life beyond this life in some form or another, but he sees his body destined for the grave, and therefore useless. Why so much time and obsession with his body when its going to lie to rot?

    Buddhism is a strong theme here (though I am not a Buddhist) - the Bodhi tree reference may relate to a Buddhist poem - google search it - which to me sounds like its saying that the "mirror like mind" has no imperfection except what is introduced by the body, which supports it. So Robbie knows he is trapped in his body, trapped to pleasing his body, and wants a reflection which in the mirror is not stained by his body.

    The lines which stick me are the 'Jesus never died for you' ones - my best guess is like domesticcat above - going from heaps of confidence, to no confidence of God's favour, and purely because of the desires and fears of what Christians often refer to as "the flesh" or the "sinful nature" (see Romans 8:5-6 same original word). Robbie believes though that his spirit is innocent, and looks for release.

    Great song - I'm not sure that Robbie pertains to understand exactly whether Jesus died for him or not. Just out of interest, if he did, the Bible's answer would be that "The law of Spirit and life has set you free in Christ Jesus...by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh (i.e. a man), and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh (took the consequences of sin in his own flesh) " (Rom 8:2-4) Therefore the body problem is dealt with, but the body doesn't need to be discarded necessarily as this song suggests, but rather it is "washed clean"/swapped and curiously the body and spirit are both made alive at the resurrection. Anyway thought that might be interesting - hope you don't think that stepped over the bounds of this discussion.

    newexileon October 15, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Thought I'd post this here if anyone's interested in the throwaway Bodhi Tree reference. This is taken from verses of "Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch." It features a covnersation between Hung-jen, the Fifth Patriarch and the Enlightened Master, Shen-hsi, an old Senior Monk, and Hui-neng, an illiterate woodcutter and the soon-to-be enlightened 6th Patriach; the sutra is pretty much about his journey into spiritual awakening, and this verse shows part of his journey of understanding;

    SHEN-HSI: The body is the bodhi tree, The mind is like a clear mirror. At all times we must strive to polish it, And must not let the dust collect

    HUI-NENG: Bodhi originally has no tree, The mirror has no stand. Buddha-nature is always clean and pure; Where is there room for dust?

    The mind is the Bodhi tree, The body is the mirror stand. The mirror is originally clean and pure; Where can it be stained by dust?

    "Bodies in the Bodhi tree" is pretty much translated as, both in the Buddist text and I think this song, as a sudden awakening of faith and enlightenment; it fits the theme really, but the pop star narcissism is still there with "God save me rejection/ From my reflection/ I want perfection..." Or it could be another nod to the above Platform Sutra text.

    Either way, not bad for a dancer from Take That ;)

    soigneeon November 25, 2009   Link

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