Why Can The Bodies Fly

Pungent Stench's song 'Why Can The Bodies Fly' delves into a dark and surreal narrative, exploring themes of lost innocence, existential dread, and the macabre. The lyrics paint a haunting picture of a world where dreams have faded, and a sense of horror pervades. The opening lines, 'atomism is a way in the crowded world today / little dancing tender child / why have all your dreams gone by,' suggest a fragmented and disjointed reality, where the purity and dreams of childhood are lost in the chaos of modern life.

The recurring imagery of 'big black flowers' and 'darkest woods' evokes a sense of death and decay. The flowers, often symbols of beauty and life, are here depicted as dying in 'dreadful horror,' indicating a world where beauty has been corrupted. The phrase 'why can the bodies fly without a laugh' is particularly striking, suggesting a loss of joy and vitality. The repeated assertion 'we killed it' and 'they killed it' implies a collective responsibility for this loss, pointing to societal or existential forces that have extinguished the light and laughter from life.

The song also touches on themes of power and control, as seen in the lines 'black flowers thrown in my way of power / crushing the diverted crowd.' This suggests a struggle for dominance and the crushing of dissent or individuality. The reference to an 'ol' fairy book' teaching 'more of devil's brain' hints at a corrupted wisdom or knowledge, further emphasizing the song's dark and foreboding tone. Overall, 'Why Can The Bodies Fly' is a powerful and unsettling exploration of a world where innocence is lost, and darkness prevails.