Bodies
Provocative Tale of Rebellion and Despair: Sex Pistols' 'Bodies'
Lyrics
She was a girl from Birmingham
Introduction of a girl from Birmingham
She just had an abortion
She recently underwent an abortion
She was a case of insanity
She experienced a mental health crisis
Her name was Pauline, she lived in a tree
Her name is Pauline, and she lived unconventionally in a tree
She was a no-one who killed her baby
She, a seemingly insignificant person, ended her child's life
She sent her letters from the country
She communicated through letters while away
She was an animal
Describing her as an animal, possibly dehumanizing her
She was a bloody disgrace
A strong expression of disapproval for her actions
Body, I'm not an animal
Rejection of being labeled an animal
Body, I'm not an animal
-Dragged on a table in a factory
Graphic description of a table and a factory setting
Illegitimate place to be
Comment on the illegitimate circumstances of birth
In a packet in a lavatory
Reference to the disposal of a baby in a harsh manner
Die little baby, screaming
A disturbing image of a dying baby
Body, screaming fucking bloody mess
Intense description of a distressed body, emphasizing the horror
Not an animal, it's an abortion
Reiteration that it's not an animal but an abortion
Body, I'm not an animal
Emphatic denial of being an animal or an abortion
Mummy, I'm not an abortion
-Throbbing squirm
Graphic and unpleasant imagery related to the aftermath
Gurgling bloody mess
-I'm not a discharge
-I'm not a loss in protein
-I'm not a throbbing squirm
-Ah
An abrupt exclamation
Fuck this and fuck that
Strong expression of discontent with the situation and appearance of the baby
Fuck it all and fuck the fucking brat
-She don't want a baby who looks like that
-I don't want a baby that looks like that
-Body, I'm not an animal
Repeated denial of being an animal but admitting to being an abortion
Body, an abortion
-Body, I'm not an animal
Reiteration of the denial of being an animal
Body, I'm not an animal
-An animal
Continued denial and insistence on not being an animal, emphasizing the visceral nature of the situation
I'm not an animal
-I'm not an animal, an animal, an
-I'm not a body
-I'm not an animal, an animal
-I'm not an animal
Final rejection of being labeled an animal
Mummy
A final, possibly anguished exclamation directed at the mother
Ugh
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