The body breaks
And the body is fine
I'm open to yours
And i'm open to mine

The body aches
And that ache takes it time
But you'll get over yours
And i'll get over mine

And the sun will shine
And the moon will rise up

The body calls
Yeah, the body, it calls out
It whispers at first
But it ends with a shout

The body burns
Yeah, the body burns strong
Until mine is with yours
Then mine will burn on

My flash sings out
It sings, "come pour me out"

The body sways
Like the wind on a swing
A bridge through a hoop
Or a lake through a ring

The body stays
And then the body moves on
And i'd really rather not dwell on
When yours will be gone

But within the dark
There is a shine
One tiny spark
That's yours and mine


Lyrics submitted by bootu, edited by Mellow_Harsher

The Body Breaks Lyrics as written by Devendra Banhart

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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The Body Breaks song meanings
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27 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment
    if nick drake was alive
    venus in furs 28on December 29, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    To me it smells strongly of sex.
    Blackmofasa9on June 30, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    I think this song is about the relationship between the body and the soul, and it contrasts the deterioration of the body against the flame inside that burns on. Also, its about sex.
    shmortisborgon December 06, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I think personally, this song is a reflection about a relationship that has ended. It's about getting over it, and starting over. Neither party has much ill will towards one another. And yes, a damn beautiful song.
    RiverStoneson March 09, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    i think you could argue that this song is not about loss at all, and that it is much more intimate than that. the constant references to bodies coming together can't really help but bring up sexual implications (maybe it is just my dirty mind, but...) listening to the lyrics with that in mind, the whole song could easily be about sex for example - "it whispers at first but it ends with a shout" in this way the song is arguably a pretty carnal song, written reallyunbelievably beautifully. and the "tiny spark" of the last verse could be a child. i'm not saying i entirely believe this, but i think there is a lot more to the imagery than simply being about loss and the end of a relationship.
    skyharbouron December 23, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    To me it smells strongly of sex or physical contact. Either way it puts the feeling of sapping body heat off of someone when I listen to it.
    Blackmofasa9on June 30, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    yeah. shmortisborg i agree a little. i think it's about sex. and about celebrating bodies and loving them and all, anti evil america and whatnot.. and also bodies like, continue on and age and change, and theyre eternal? i just keep feeling all these eternity metaphorness: The body aches And that ache takes it time But you'll get over yours And I'll get over mine And the sun will shine And the moon will rise up but i dunno
    nemequittepason January 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    this song is absolutely beautiful
    precipitateon February 02, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    this is my favorite song by the genius that is Devendra...it's so easy to listen to. I think it is about not losing hope on something whether it be a relationship or a dream etc. There may be darkness but if there is hope which is I think the one tiny spark, everything will be fine.
    rufusworshipperon April 16, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    it reminds me of loving someone far away
    electioneeron May 14, 2005   Link

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