Trystan Casey
I Sing the Body Electric is a poem by Walt Whitman, published in 1855 in the first edition of Leaves of Grass. The poem is a celebration of the human body and its capabilities, as well as the interconnectedness of all people. The phrase body electric is thought to evoke a sense of excitement and inspiration, and has been interpreted in various ways across different forms of media, including music and television. The phrase body electric first appeared in 1746 in a paper on electricity in the body.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First appearance of the phrase "Body Electric" | 1746 |
| Coined by | M. le Monnier the younger |
| Reference to | Walt Whitman's "I Sing the Body Electric" (1855) |
| Meaning | A celebration of the body and its dynamism, sensuality, and incredible capability |
| "I Sing the Body Electric" | Song by Lana Del Rey (2012) |
| Title of a 1972 Columbia Records album by the jazz fusion group Weather Report | |
| Title of a 2011 song by the trip hop band Arms and Sleepers |
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What You'll Learn
'Body Electric' is a song by Lana Del Rey
"Body Electric" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. The song was first debuted live and was featured on the "Born to Die: Paradise Edition" album. It was written by Grant and Rick Nowels and is 3 minutes and 53 seconds long.
The song is a reference to Walt Whitman's poem, "I Sing the Body Electric" (1855), which celebrates the human body's sensuality and incredible capabilities, as well as the interconnectedness of all people. Del Rey even has Whitman's name tattooed on her forearm. In the song, Del Rey also mentions other cultural icons such as Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and Jesus.
The phrase "Body Electric" first appeared in 1746 in a paper on electricity in the body, written by a doctor, M. le Monnier the younger. Electricity, however, was known even in ancient times, as certain substances like amber, when rubbed, gave off an electrical charge and were used in ancient medicine as early as 2600 BC.
In the context of Lana Del Rey's song, "Body Electric" can be interpreted as a celebration of the human body, youth, and the superficial comforts that we sometimes rely on to get through life. The lyrics suggest that despite the hardships we may face, there is still beauty and richness to be found in life.
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The song references Walt Whitman's poem of the same name
The song "Body Electric" by Lana Del Rey references Walt Whitman's poem of the same name, "I Sing the Body Electric" (1855). The song appears to draw inspiration from Whitman's celebration of the human body and its sensuality, as well as the interconnectedness of all people.
In Whitman's poem, he explores a range of physical and emotional experiences, including:
> "The lung-sponges, the stomach-sac, the bowels sweet and clean,/.../The womb, the teats, nipples, breast-milk, tears, laughter, weeping, love-looks, love-perturbations and risings,/The voice, articulation, language, whispering, shouting aloud,/Food, drink, pulse, digestion, sweat, sleep, walking, swimming,/Poise on the hips, leaping, reclining, embracing, arm-curving and tightening,/The continual changes of the flex of the mouth, and around the eyes,..."
Del Rey's song similarly focuses on the physical body and dynamic activities, with the line "I'm on fire" potentially alluding to a physical feeling of energy. The song also seems to draw on Whitman's view of electricity as a life force, an invisible power that gives energy.
Both the poem and the song invite interpretation, with "I sing the body electric" perhaps best summarised as a person praising the human body and its vitality.
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Whitman's poem celebrates the human body and its sensuality
Walt Whitman's poem "I Sing the Body Electric" is a powerful celebration of the human physical form and its capacity for sensual pleasure and emotional connection. The title itself, "Body Electric," evokes the idea of the body as a vibrant, energetic force, pulsating with life and sensation. Through this poem, Whitman explores the beauty and significance of physical intimacy, the senses, and the overall wonder of the human body, challenging societal taboos and embracing a liberated view of sensuality.
The poem is a declaration of love for the body and all its functions, from the physical to the emotional and spiritual. Whitman writes, "I sing the body electric, / The armies of those I love engirth me and I engirth them, / They will not let me off till I go with them, respond to them, / And discorrupt them, and charge them full with the charge of the soul." Here, he expresses the idea that the body is a conduit for powerful emotional connections and experiences. The use of the word "engirth" suggests an embracing, all-encompassing love that binds people together.
Whitman celebrates the senses and the physical pleasures they bring, such as the joy of tasting delicious food or the pleasure of physical intimacy. He writes, "Was it doubted that those who corrupt their own bodies conceal themselves? / And if those who defile the living are as bad as they who defile the dead? / And if the body does not do fully as much as the soul? / And if the body were not the soul, what is the soul?" In these lines, Whitman challenges societal norms that prioritize the spiritual over the physical, arguing that the body is just as important as the soul, and that corrupting or neglecting the body is just as harmful as any spiritual corruption.
The poem also explores the idea of the body as a source of power and energy. Whitman describes the body as an electric force, pulsating with life and energy. He writes, "The lover, the son, the niece, the wife, the sister, the husband, the mother, the girl, / The sweetheart, the boy, the brother, the bride, the father, the lady or gentleman, / The worker, the sailor, the soldier, the prisoner, / The sick, the new-operat'd, the wounded she or he, / The young, the strong, the weak, the discarded, / I sing, and am one of them, / I sing the body electric." Here, Whitman includes a diverse range of people, emphasizing that the celebration of the body is universal and inclusive. He sees the body as a source of unity and connection, a means of transcending social barriers and embracing our shared humanity.
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The phrase 'Body Electric' first appeared in 1746
The phrase "Body Electric" has been used in various contexts, from literature to music, and has evolved to encompass different meanings. Interestingly, the phrase was first used in 1746, and its origins can be traced back to a paper on electricity in the human body.
The phrase "Body Electric" was introduced to the world in 1746 by a doctor named M. le Monnier the younger. In a paper on electricity in the human body, he quoted an earlier treatise that explored the electrical nature of the body. This early usage of the phrase set the tone for a theme that has captivated scientists, artists, and philosophers for centuries.
The concept of electricity in the body is not a modern idea. In ancient times, people discovered that rubbing certain substances, such as amber, could create an electrical charge. This knowledge was even applied in ancient medicine as early as 2600 BC, along with the use of electric eels and magnets. However, the term "electricity" itself didn't appear in the English language until the 1640s, coined by English physician Sir Thomas Browne.
The phrase "Body Electric" gained further prominence in the 19th century through the works of Walt Whitman. In his poem "I Sing the Body Electric," Whitman celebrates the human body's sensuality, incredible capabilities, and the interconnectedness of all people. This theme of interconnectivity is also explored in the book "The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life" by Robert O. Becker, which delves into the interplay between electric energy and living organisms.
Over time, the phrase "Body Electric" has been referenced in various creative works, including songs by Lana Del Rey and the jazz fusion group Weather Report, as well as an episode of "The Twilight Zone." Each interpretation adds a unique layer to the understanding of the human body, technology, and our relationship with the world around us.
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The phrase was used in a paper on electricity in the body
The phrase "body electric" was first used in 1746 by a doctor, M. le Monnier the younger, in a paper on electricity in the body. The phrase itself, however, may have been derived from an earlier treatise on the electrical nature of the human body.
The phrase "I sing the body electric" is the title and first line of a song from the 1980 movie Fame. It is also the title of a 1972 album by the jazz fusion group Weather Report, as well as a 2011 song by the trip-hop band Arms and Sleepers.
The phrase "I sing the body electric" is thought to be a poetic form of "I'm singing, with my body electrified" or "I sing, and doing so electrifies my body". In other words, the act of singing is galvanizing and uplifting to the singer. This interpretation is supported by the fact that electricity was, in Whitman's time, seen as a life force—invisible and energizing.
In the context of the movie Fame, "I sing the body electric" is meant to convey the sheer energy, delight, and inspiration of those who sang, danced, and acted in the film.
Lana Del Rey's 2012 song "Body Electric" is similarly sensual and dynamic, with the line "I'm on fire" suggesting a physical feeling of energy. Del Rey's song references Walt Whitman's "I Sing the Body Electric" (1855), which celebrates the sensuality, incredible capability, and interconnectedness of the human body.
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Frequently asked questions
"Body Electric" is a phrase that originates from Walt Whitman's poem, "I Sing the Body Electric". The poem celebrates the human body and its sensuality, the oneness of all people, and the interconnectedness of all people.
The phrase "Body Electric" first appeared in 1746 in a paper on electricity in the body, written by a doctor, M. le Monnier the younger. The word "electricity" itself first appeared in English in the 1640s, coined by English physician Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682). However, the concept of electricity is ancient, with electrical charges observed from rubbing amber and similar substances as early as 2600 BC.
"I Sing the Body Electric" is the title of a song by the trip-hop band Arms and Sleepers released in 2011, a 1972 jazz fusion album by Weather Report, and the finale song in the 1980 movie Fame. It is also the title of the 100th episode of The Twilight Zone.
The phrase "I Sing the Body Electric" has been interpreted as a poetic way of saying "I'm singing, with my body electrified" or "I sing, and doing so electrifies my body". It suggests that the act of singing is galvanizing and uplifting for the singer. It may also be interpreted as celebrating the body and its dynamism or liveliness.
