Is It My Body? (Love It To Death, 1971)

   In 1971, Alice Cooper released the breakthrough album, Love It To Death. It has become one of the greatest albums of all time – a quintessential Hard Rock album.

Songs such as “I’m Eighteen,” “The Ballad of Dwight Fry,” “Second Coming,” “Hallowed Be My Name,” and “Caught In A Dream” are masterpieces that not only helped them advance their reputation but also defined Alice Cooper for many decades to come (and still today).

“Love It To Death changed a lot of thinking about what was going on in music. It was a really hard-edged, Detroit, eerie… you know, it had classical things in it, but you could tell that this band was not classically-oriented.” – Alice Cooper

With producer Bob Ezrin’s help, the Alice Cooper Group would soon be propelled into the upper echelons of notoriety and stardom. First, Frank Zappa had given them an opportunity. Then, Ezrin’s guidance had given them direction, clarity, and purpose – a ‘Killer’ combination.

“Is It My Body,” the fifth track on Love It To Death, asks a critical question – “have you got the time to find out who I really am?” It may seem simple and to the point, but the question begs a deeper, more complex answer.

What have I got
that makes you want to love me
Now is it my body
Someone I might be
Somethin’ inside me

You better tell me
Tell me
It’s really up to you
Have you got the time to find out
Who I really am

What does it take
to get inside of your mind
Give me a break, yeah, yeah
and take a chance for the very first time

Alice inquires what it is about him that has captured the affection of his admirer. And, as the song continues, it’s evident that the real question pertains more to an actual, deeper, more genuine connection than just some random fling, hookup, or acquaintance.

What is it that attracts us to the opposite sex? Is it purely physical, or is it more than that? “Is it (their) body, someone (they) might be; somethin’ inside (them)?” What makes us want to be connected to that other person?

The Bible has so much to say about relationships, friendship, and the attributes of goodness. However, one chapter, Proverbs 31, masterfully spells out what we should look for in a partner.

NOTE: While the following verses and questions spell out the attributes of a noble woman, they define the roles of a noble man all the same. We, male and female alike, should strive to be the following for our spouses and others we meet.

THE WIFE OF NOBLE CHARACTER

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand, she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

These verses leave us with many questions concerning ourselves or our spouse. And while it is essential to look for someone of great virtue, it’s always best to start with ourselves first.

So, let’s ask some questions about ourselves – then apply those same questions to the ones we consider the closest to us.

1. Are we trustworthy (Verse 11)?
      A model couple has complete confidence and faith in one another.
2. Do we make the other person stronger (Verse 12)?
      A prosperous couple carries each other’s burdens, strengthening the relationship.
3. Do we work hard (Verses 13-16)?
      A thriving couple works hard to build, provide, and maintain their home.
4. Are we generous and hospitable (Verse 20)?
      A generous couple is blessed by the kind acts they are willing to provide.
5. Are we wise and willing to share that wisdom with others (Verse 26)?
      A sensible couple has the willingness and fortitude to share their experiences and knowledge with one another and those  
      around them.
6. Have we laid our future in the hands of Christ (Verse 25)?
      A devoted couple has no fear about the days ahead; they stand faithful to Him and His Word.

Honestly, the things that attract us to one another are exhaustive. We look for and offer various attributes to one another. However, there is one basic principle that stands above the rest. We must be equally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14).

In a nutshell, don’t settle or compromise your faith for anyone. All couples will struggle and endure hardships, yet the ones grounded in devotion to Him have the highest chance of surviving and flourishing even through life’s most dangerous storms.

Wrapping up this week’s post, we live in a world driven by sexuality, self-image, and aesthetics. We are drawn to the physical world – the things we can see and touch. As a result, we often overlook the most important aspects of other people and the most significant parts of our lives.

At the end of last year, we discussed the Alice Cooper audiobook “Who I Really Am,” a fascinating biographical mixture of stories and unplugged snippets of some of Coop’s more notable songs.

In the book, Alice used lyrics from “Is It My Body,” with the most emphasis placed on the line, “Have you got the time to find out (then he goes on to expound, “Who I am”)?

Notice the word time is underlined above. As we find out more about the people we are attracted to, are we taking the time to find who they really are? Are we focused on a relationship sustained by the virtues listed in Proverbs 31? Or is the relationship superficial and most likely going to fade?

While it is essential to ask ourselves these questions about those we seek to surround ourselves with, it’s more important to ask those questions about ourselves first. Therefore, the best place to invest our time is knowing Christ first.

Christ wants us to know “Who He really is” – the Messiah, Son of God, our Redeemer, our Savior (Matthew 16:13-20).

The more we begin to know Him and follow His ways, the more attractive we become to those genuinely seeking to know “who we really are.” And the same is true as we seek fellowship with others. As a result, we focus less on the surface and more on the heart, soul, and mind – who we really are.

In conclusion, “Is It My Body” is classic Alice Cooper. One of the fascinating things about the Alice Cooper phenomenon is the cerebral nature of the music and lyrics. Buried underneath the lines and chords, a story is being told. Some are to the point, and some are a little more hidden.

“Is It My Body” is to the point, “what is it about me that makes you want to love me?” The question is straightforward and demands an answer. The answers to such a question are different for each listener.

Here at “Fridays With Alice,” we love the simple fact that Alice is genuine and unapologetic about his faith and LOVE for Jesus Christ.

That’s it for this week, be well and catch you next week.

Until then, Keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!