Beatrice Lang
I Sing the Body Electric is a poem by Walt Whitman from his 1855 collection Leaves of Grass. The poem celebrates different aspects of human physicality and has inspired various creative works. The title has been used for a song in the 1980 film Fame, an episode of The Twilight Zone, a short story by Ray Bradbury, and albums by multiple artists. Lana Del Rey also references Whitman's poem in her song Body Electric and short film Tropico.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the song | I Sing the Body Electric |
| Artists | Cast of Fame, Camila Cabello, Cyndi Lauper, Ben Platt, Gary Clark, Common, Debbie Allen, Laura Dean, Irene Cara, Paul McCrane, Traci Parnell, Eric Brockington, Astrid Williamson |
| Writers | Michael Gore, Dean Pitchford |
| Producers | Ken Ehrlich |
| Choreographer | Debbie Allen |
| First Appearance | In the 1980 movie Fame |
| Inspiration | Walt Whitman's 1855 poem with the same name |
| Album | Grace Under Pressure by Rush, Here Come the Vikings by Astrid Williamson |
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What You'll Learn
- 'I Sing the Body Electric' is a poem by Walt Whitman, published in 1855
- The poem is divided into nine sections, each celebrating a different aspect of human physicality
- The poem inspired the song in the 1980 film Fame, performed by the cast
- The song was written by Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford
- Lana Del Rey references Whitman's poem in her song 'Body Electric'
'I Sing the Body Electric' is a poem by Walt Whitman, published in 1855
"I Sing the Body Electric" is a poem by Walt Whitman, published in 1855 as part of his collection, "Leaves of Grass". The poem is divided into nine sections, each celebrating a different aspect of human physicality. The original publication did not have a title, and the line "I sing the body electric" was only added in the 1867 edition. At the time, the word "electric" was not yet in common use.
Whitman's poem is an exuberant ode to the human form, celebrating bodily diversity and unity. It challenges societal taboos while asserting the inherent dignity and sacredness of all individuals, regardless of gender, race, or social status. The poem explores themes of sensuality, sexuality, the body, and the self, and makes a connection between physical and spiritual experiences.
"I Sing the Body Electric" has inspired numerous artistic works, including a song in the 1980 film "Fame", where students perform it at their graduation ceremony. The song was written by Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford. In the 1988 movie "Bull Durham", Susan Sarandon's character reads the poem to Tim Robbins' character.
Lana Del Rey references Whitman and Leaves of Grass in her song "Body Electric" and quotes verses from the poem in her short film "Tropico" (2013). The poem has also influenced other musicians, such as Astrid Williamson, whose song "Sing the Body Electric" appears on the album "Here Come the Vikings".
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The poem is divided into nine sections, each celebrating a different aspect of human physicality
"I Sing the Body Electric" is a poem by Walt Whitman, originally published in 1855 as part of his collection "Leaves of Grass". The poem is divided into nine sections, each celebrating a different aspect of human physicality.
In the first section, Whitman compares the body to the soul, challenging the common Christian belief that the body corrupts the soul. Instead, he argues that the body is just as important as the soul and that they are interconnected.
The second section is one of Whitman's famous lists, where he discusses the various attributes that make a "well-made man". He celebrates the human body in all its forms, including babies, girls, mothers, swimmers, rowers, horsemen, and laborers.
In the following sections, Whitman continues to explore the beauty and diversity of the human body. He writes about the female body's sensuality and life-giving abilities and how the male and female bodies are equal. He also weaves in a political message, reminding readers that all human bodies, regardless of race, have the same blood running through their veins.
Whitman's signature list structure and free verse style are prominent in this poem, drawing attention to the unique qualities of the human body while celebrating its cumulative significance.
Through "I Sing the Body Electric," Whitman invites readers to appreciate the human body in all its forms and to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
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The poem inspired the song in the 1980 film Fame, performed by the cast
The 1980 film Fame features a song called "I Sing the Body Electric", inspired by Walt Whitman's poem of the same name. The poem, from Whitman's 1855 collection Leaves of Grass, celebrates different aspects of human physicality.
In the film, the students of the New York City High School for the Performing Arts perform the song during their commencement ceremony. The song was written by Michael Gore, the film's musical supervisor, and Dean Pitchford, who also collaborated with Gore on the title song and "Red Light".
Pitchford has spoken about how he drew inspiration from Whitman's poem to create the song:
> "I wrote the first verse in the course of a walk that I was making from my apartment to a friend's dinner party. I hit on this line from the Walt Whitman poem, 'I Sing the Body Electric,' and on the walk, I wrote the whole first verse: 'I sing the body electric, I celebrate the me yet to come, I toast to my own reunion, when I become one with the sun and I'll look back on Venus, I'll look back on Mars, and I'll burn with the fire of ten million stars. And in time and in time we will all be stars.'"
The song has endured as a showcase piece, with a star-studded choir performing it at the 2020 Grammy Awards as a tribute to longtime producer Ken Ehrlich.
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The song was written by Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford
The song "I Sing the Body Electric" was written by Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford for the 1980 musical film "Fame". Gore was the film's musical supervisor, and Pitchford was an actor at the time, which helped him relate to the kids who performed the song in the movie. The song was inspired by the poem of the same name by Walt Whitman, from his 1855 collection "Leaves of Grass".
Pitchford explained in a 2012 interview that the idea for the song came to him while he was on his way to a friend's dinner party. He hit upon the line "I sing the body electric" from Whitman's poem and wrote the entire first verse during his walk:
> I sing the body electric, I celebrate the me yet to come, I toast to my own reunion, when I become one with the sun, and I'll look back on Venus, I'll look back on Mars, and I'll burn with the fire of ten million stars. And in time and in time we will all be stars.
The song "I Sing the Body Electric" has enjoyed greater prominence in the film "Fame" than other songs featured in the movie, such as "Out Here on My Own". It is performed by the students at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts during their graduation ceremony at the end of the film. The song has also been performed at the Grammy Awards, showcasing its enduring popularity and cultural significance.
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Lana Del Rey references Whitman's poem in her song 'Body Electric'
Lana Del Rey's song "Body Electric" references Walt Whitman's poem "I Sing the Body Electric" in its title and chorus. The song, released in 2012, borrows from Whitman's celebration of the human body and its individual parts. In her song, Del Rey evokes a sense of empowerment and liberation by acknowledging and embracing her body, desires, and experiences. She expresses her personal freedom and individuality while connecting with a more profound, spiritual aspect of herself.
Whitman's poem, published in 1855 as part of his collection "`Leaves of Grass," explores themes of the body, its parts, and its interconnectedness with the soul. It delves into the sensuality of the body and the equality of all humans, regardless of race or social status. The poem's title, "I Sing the Body Electric," celebrates the glories of existence and the incredible capabilities of the human body.
Del Rey's appreciation for Whitman's work extends beyond "Body Electric." She has a tattoo of his name and has referenced his poetry in other songs, such as "Brooklyn Baby," where she nods to the glamour of Whitman's New York and its Beat poets. In her 2013 short film "Tropico," Del Rey brought Whitman's words and visions of American epics to life, further showcasing her admiration for his work.
The influence of Whitman's poetry on Del Rey's music demonstrates her affinity for combining music and literature. Her lyrical library is vast, drawing inspiration from a diverse range of writers, including Sylvia Plath and Nabokov, among others. Del Rey's music and poetry reflect her complex concerns with time, being, and identity, often mirroring the themes explored by Whitman.
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Frequently asked questions
The song is performed by the cast of the movie Fame, including Laura Dean, Irene Cara, Paul McCrane, Traci Parnell, and Eric Brockington.
The song was written by Michael Gore, the musical supervisor for the film, and Dean Pitchford, who also co-wrote the title song and "Red Light" for the movie.
"I Sing the Body Electric" is about endings and beginnings and the bright future that lies ahead. The song celebrates the human body and the sacredness of both men's and women's bodies.
