I'm mad and that's a fact
I found out animals don't help
Animals 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
Eh, eh, eh, eh

Animals think they understand
Most of them are a big mistake
Animals want to change my life
I will ignore, I don't know such place

They're never there when you need them
They're never there when you call them
They're never there when you need them
They're never there when you call them down
Down, down, down

I know the animals are laughing at us
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're never there when you call them
They're never there when you need them
They're never there when you call them down
Down, down
Eh, eh, eh

They say they don't need money
They're living on nuts and berries
They say animals don't worry
They're living on nuts and berries

You know animals are hairy?
They say animals don't worry
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 say animals don't worry
They're living on nuts and berries

They're setting a bad example
They ought to be more careful
You know animals are hairy?
They're living on nuts and berries

They want to know what's best
They're making a fool of us
They ought to be more careful
They're setting a bad example

They like to laugh at people
They're setting a bad example
They have untroubled lives
They think every thing's nice

They say they don't need money
They say animals don't worry
They're living on nuts and berries
You know animals are hairy?

They think they know what's best
They're making a fool of us
They like to laugh at people
They're making a bad example

They say they don't need money
You know animals are hairy?
They're living on nuts and berries
They say they don't need money
They're setting a bad example



Lyrics submitted by Chris_Gough

Track duration: 03:30

"Animals" as written by David Byrne

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Animals song meanings
Add your thoughts

8 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment:The name of this song is Animals. That's what it's about.
    Flag Pelleason January 04, 2013   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion: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.
    Flag funkspielon May 02, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning: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.
    Flag Coffeewolf77on July 12, 2009   Link
  • +2
    My Opinion: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.
    Flag samadrielon November 20, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:Great Song. I think the narrator is overwhelmed and stressed by human needs and desires. He is jealous of these creatures who are much less "intelligent" than him but seem so much more content living simple existences. The lyrics and images of this song are certainly bizarre but I've always felt it contained a profound message.
    Flag Lukewarm88on August 13, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:A drunken paranoid rant by a character with too much on his plate, finally losing it and declaring that animals are laughing at him, telling his shocked barroom audience to go ahead and laugh as he breaks down.

    Interesting song, very odd.
    Flag Cynothoglyson March 25, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:weird song. sometimes i think my dog is out to get me.
    Flag abcdefon April 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:What a great song! I love Dave's vocals on this one. One of my favorite Heads tunes.
    Flag majestikmoose9on April 27, 2006   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain