"Bodies" is a song by the American rock bandDrowning Pool and also is the lead single from their debut album Sinner. Released in May 2001, "Bodies" is Drowning Pool's signature song and has been featured in various films, TV programs, and advertisements since its release. It was also the theme song for the 2001 WWF SummerSlam pay-per-view event, as well as that of the ECW brand in 2006 to early 2008. During 2001, the song got popular, but the song was taken off radio stations after the September 11 attacks because the song was considered inappropriate in the wake of the terrorist attack. An early version of "Bodies" appeared in their EPPieces of Nothing, the version omits the lyrics in the bridge and features a significantly greater amount of screaming. Neil Cicierega's seminal 2017 mashup album Mouth Moods features a mashup between "Bodies" and Hot Butter's "Popcorn," titled "Floor Corn".
Music and lyrics
Considered a nu metal song, "Bodies" features a heavy use of the lyric "let the bodies hit the floor". Its lyrics build by gradually counting up from one to four, shouting the number each time, until reaching its intense chorus. Clean vocals in the song's verses make a contrast from the many harsh vocals elsewhere. The guitar structure of "Bodies" features a heavy use of the wah pedal. Drowning Pool's original vocalist Dave Williams talked about "Bodies" on Uranium, saying
Rolling Stone called "Bodies" "Drowning Pool's finest moment on" Sinner.
Music video
Much like the song's radio success, the "Bodies" music video found significant airplay on various music channels in 2001. Directed by Glen Bennett, it has the band performing in what appears to be a mental institution, with Williams screaming the lyrics into the ear of a man strapped to a chair. Clips from the video were later used in the title animation for the music program Uranium.
Controversy and military's use of the song
Due to the misinterpretation of its lyrics, the song created controversy. The song was linked to the 2011 Arizona shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Soon after the shooting, the band issued a statement concerning the link: "We were devastated this weekend to learn of the tragic events that occurred in Arizona and that our music has been misinterpreted. 'Bodies' was written about the brotherhood of the moshpit and was never about violence." The band also added: "For someone to put out a video misinterpreting a song about a moshpit as fuel for a violent act shows just how sick they really are. We support those who do what they can to keep America safe. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families of this terrible tragedy". The song was used by interrogators at the Guantanamo Bay detention camps in 2003. "Bodies" was repeatedly played over a 10-day period during the interrogation of Mohamedou Ould Slahi while he was "exposed to variable lighting patterns" at the same time.
Track listing
Limited EP Vinyl Promo CD Bodies Remix Guitar Down Promo CD Promo CD #2'''
