Music is weirdly physical sometimes. You know that feeling when a bassline doesn't just sit in your ears but actually vibrates in your ribs? It’s a literal resonance. That’s exactly what happens when you dig into the lyrics if we are the body by the Irish trio Wyvern Lingo.
This track isn't some new viral TikTok snippet from last week. It’s been around, marinating in the indie-soul scene since their self-titled album dropped back in 2018. But honestly, it’s seeing this massive resurgence because the themes are—well, they're timeless. We’re all kind of obsessed with where our digital selves end and our physical selves begin, and this song nails that anxiety perfectly.
The literal meaning behind the lyrics if we are the body
Caoimhe Barry, Karen Cowley, and Saoirse Duane—the powerhouse women behind Wyvern Lingo—didn't just write a catchy hook. They wrote a manifesto about intimacy in a world that feels increasingly simulated. When you look at the lyrics if we are the body, you're seeing a direct confrontation with the "disembodied" nature of modern romance.
The song kicks off with a mention of screens and distance. It’s that relatable, slightly gross feeling of staring at a blue light while wanting something much more tangible.
The core question of the chorus—"If we are the body, why do I feel so out of it?"—is a gut punch. It’s about the disconnect. You can be physically present with someone, or even just hyper-aware of your own skin, yet feel like your "self" is hovering three feet above your head or trapped inside a smartphone.
Breaking down the imagery
They use these really specific, almost clinical metaphors. They talk about "pixels" and "electricity." It’s a contrast. On one hand, you have the raw, organic reality of being a human being with blood and nerves. On the other, you have the sanitized, filtered version of connection that we’re all guilty of settling for.
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Most people think this is just a breakup song. It’s not. Or at least, it’s not just that. It’s an exploration of body dysmorphia, social anxiety, and the way technology acts as a barrier even when it’s supposed to be a bridge.
Why the production matches the lyrical tension
You can’t talk about the lyrics if we are the body without mentioning how the music itself feels like a nervous system. The harmonies are tight. Almost too tight. It creates this sense of beautiful tension that mirrors the lyrics’ struggle for real, messy connection.
The percussion is crisp, mimicking a heartbeat.
Listen to the bridge. The vocals start to layer and overlap. It’s chaotic but controlled. It feels like a brain spiraling. When they sing about "missing the mark," you can hear the frustration in the vocal delivery. It’s that feeling of trying to touch someone and realizing there’s a layer of glass between you.
The "Body" as a political and social statement
Wyvern Lingo has always been vocal about bodily autonomy, especially coming from Ireland during the Repeal the 8th movement. While this song is personal, you can’t strip it of that context. The "body" in the lyrics if we are the body is a site of struggle.
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- It’s about who owns your physical form.
- It’s about the pressure to keep that form "perfect" for the digital gaze.
- It’s about the sheer exhaustion of existing as a physical entity in a world that wants you to be a brand.
A lot of listeners find a connection here to the concept of "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk. It’s that idea that our physical selves hold onto trauma and stress that our minds try to ignore. When the lyrics talk about feeling "out of it," they’re describing dissociation. Pure and simple.
What most people get wrong about the song
I’ve seen a lot of interpretations online suggesting the song is about a long-distance relationship. While that's a fair literal reading, it misses the deeper psychological layers.
Actually, the song is way more internal.
It’s about the relationship you have with your own physical presence. Sometimes you look in the mirror and don't recognize the person looking back. That’s the "out of it" feeling. The song captures that specific flavor of 21st-century vertigo where everything is fast and loud, but we’re still just mammals in clothes trying to feel okay.
The role of harmony in Wyvern Lingo’s storytelling
The band is known for their three-part harmonies. In this track, those harmonies represent the different voices in a single head. One voice is logical. One is emotional. One is just tired. When they come together on the line "if we are the body," it’s like those three parts of the self are trying to sync up.
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They rarely do.
That’s the tragedy of the song. It’s a search for alignment that never quite finishes.
How to actually apply these themes to your life
If you’re vibing with the lyrics if we are the body, it’s usually because you’re feeling that same digital burnout. It’s a signal to log off.
Seriously.
The song is a reminder that we aren't just data points. We are biological machines that need touch, movement, and sunlight. If the lyrics are making you feel seen, use that as a catalyst to reconnect with your physical reality.
- Practice grounding. When the "out of it" feeling hits, do the 5-4-3-2-1 technique. Find five things you can see, four you can touch, and so on. It sounds cheesy, but it’s the literal antidote to the disembodiment the song describes.
- Audit your screen time. If the "pixels" mentioned in the song are becoming your primary reality, it’s time to recalibrate. Notice how your body feels after two hours of scrolling versus twenty minutes of walking.
- Listen to the full album. To understand "I Love You, Sadie" or "Subside," you need to see how "If We Are The Body" fits into their wider narrative of vulnerability.
- Support independent artists. Wyvern Lingo is a prime example of high-concept songwriting that doesn't always get the mainstream radio play it deserves. Follow their socials, buy the vinyl, and actually read the liner notes.
The power of the lyrics if we are the body lies in their honesty. They don't offer a clean solution. They don't tell you everything is going to be fine. They just sit with you in that weird, uncomfortable space between the mind and the skin. And honestly? Sometimes that’s exactly what we need to hear to feel a little more human again.