Don't be afraid
Don't be ashamed
The body has needs
Surrender to the hunger
Got to let the body feed
Don't forget to breathe
The body has needs
No one is a stranger
Surrender to the hunger
Don't forget to breathe


Lyrics submitted by Kadoka

Breathe song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

4 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    Daddy Maynard is just telling us that breathing is important, don't look too much into it.

    spiral1018on May 19, 2021   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning

    Vague enough to be about a lot of things yet distinct enough to convey an idea and or theme (as with most of MJK's lyrics). I think it could apply to sexual appetite or zombies; accompanying Milla in a Resident Evil movie.

    KrakenAttackon February 26, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    When I first heard this, I mistook the lyric as "Surrender to the hole." I guess it wouldn't be that far-fetched coming from this band, and it does keep with one interpretation of the song.

    fuCoughon March 11, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Im pretty sure Maynard is criticizing celibacy and monogamy, telling listners to indulge in their instinctual feelings of sexual promiscuity.

    eg. ("the body has needs") ("surrender to the hunger")

    Maynard/Puscifer/APC/Tool always delivers great music, no exception here.

    Oh, and anyone know if tool will be releasing a new album any time soon?

    wilmckeanon June 18, 2013   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.