In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I'm mad...and that's a fact
I found out...animals don't help
Animal think...they're pretty smart
Shit on the ground...see in the dark.
They wander around like a crazy dog
Make a mistake in the parking lot
Always bumping into things
Always let you down down down down.
They're never there when you need them
They never come when you call them
They're never there when you need them
The never come when you call them down down down down.
I know the animals...are laughing at us
They don't even know...what a joke is
I won't follow...animal's advice
I don't care...if they're laughing at us.
They're never there when you need them
They never come when you call them
They're never there when you need them
The never come when you call them down down down down.
They say they don't need money
They're living on nuts and berries
They say animals don't worry
You know animals are hairy?
They think they know what's best
They're making a fool of us
They ought to be more careful
They're setting a bad example
They have untroubled lives
They think everything's nice
They like to laugh at people
They're setting a bad example
(go ahead) laugh at me.
I found out...animals don't help
Animal think...they're pretty smart
Shit on the ground...see in the dark.
They wander around like a crazy dog
Make a mistake in the parking lot
Always bumping into things
Always let you down down down down.
They're never there when you need them
They never come when you call them
They're never there when you need them
The never come when you call them down down down down.
I know the animals...are laughing at us
They don't even know...what a joke is
I won't follow...animal's advice
I don't care...if they're laughing at us.
They're never there when you need them
They never come when you call them
They're never there when you need them
The never come when you call them down down down down.
They say they don't need money
They're living on nuts and berries
They say animals don't worry
You know animals are hairy?
They think they know what's best
They're making a fool of us
They ought to be more careful
They're setting a bad example
They have untroubled lives
They think everything's nice
They like to laugh at people
They're setting a bad example
(go ahead) laugh at me.
Lyrics submitted by Chris_Gough, edited by PairOFish
Animals Lyrics as written by David Byrne
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I love the idea of a man utterly crushed by society, outraged and jealous at the freedom of animals, and trying to somehow socially reprimand them ("they're setting a bad example! Think of the children! You'd better stop what you're doing, cats, or you'll never get work in this town again!") for their 'bad behaviour' in a society that they don't even know exists.
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The name of this song is Animals. That's what it's about.
It's true. Animals are punks!!
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weird song. sometimes i think my dog is out to get me.
The whole album is about fear as noted in the title. I think the whole thing is hilarious and if you take it too seriously it's disturbing.
@SanjuroSeaCow I love my entire life by this particular song
Byrne told me he was inspired one day when his cat pissed in his shoe.
Just a rant to remind pets they have it easy, it's a jungle out there.
You know him, eh?
There are some missing lyrics to this song. In the last minute, during the coda, the background voices are singing "Laugh at me, laugh at me", perhaps insinuating that the animals or people are laughing at his delusions. A very funny, but also strangley sad song, about schizophrenia.