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Wooly Mammoth
Local Natives Lyrics


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In the summer, vicious summer
This is nothing
Like I thought it would look

You say, "Who am I to blame?"
"Who am I to blame?"
Spill yourself at her feet
Stamp me out flickering

You remind me
Which are the ones that sting
They all look the same to me,
Look the same to me

Spill yourself at her feet
Stamp me out flickering
There's a sun rising
Steady now
Comfort me

Big Sur swallowed, swallowed me alive
You say, "Who am I to blame?"
"Who am I to blame?"

Spill yourself at her feet
Stamp me out flickering
There's a sun rising
Steady now
Comfort me

Overall Meaning

The song "Wooly Mammoth" by Local Natives encapsulates a feeling of being paralyzed in the face of life's challenges. The opening line "In the summer, vicious summer, this is nothing like I thought it would look" sets the stage for a sense of disappointment and disillusionment. The singer is confused and struggling to make sense of their life. They are seeking solace from someone who can offer them guidance, asking "who am I to blame?".


Throughout the song, there is a recurring theme of feeling small and insignificant in the face of the overwhelming obstacles of life. The lines "spill yourself at her feet, stamp me out flickering" and "comfort me" evoke a sense of submission and surrender. The singer is seeking comfort and rescue in the face of the vastness of the world around them.


The reference to Big Sur is interesting, as it is a location known for its stunning beauty and natural wonders. However, in the song, it is portrayed as swallowing the singer alive. This could represent the overwhelming power of nature or the paradoxical nature of beauty and pain.


Overall, "Wooly Mammoth" is a poignant and introspective song about the struggles of coping with life's obstacles and the need for comfort and guidance.


Line by Line Meaning

In the summer, vicious summer
The heat of summer feels aggressive and oppressive.


This is nothing
The current situation is not what was expected or desired.


Like I thought it would look
Expectations were different than reality.


You say, 'Who am I to blame?'
The artist is being blamed for something they didn't do.


'Who am I to blame?'
The artist is questioning why they are being blamed.


Spill yourself at her feet
Give everything to someone else, surrendering all power.


Stamp me out flickering
Extinguish any light or hope left within me.


You remind me
The artist is being reminded of something important.


Which are the ones that sting
Which memories or experiences cause pain or discomfort.


They all look the same to me
All of the painful memories seem interchangeable or indistinguishable.


There's a sun rising
There is hope for the future.


Steady now
Remain calm and focused.


Comfort me
Provide reassurance or consolation.


Big Sur swallowed, swallowed me alive
The singer feels overwhelmed or consumed by something, like Big Sur.


Spill yourself at her feet
Give everything to someone else, surrendering all power.


Stamp me out flickering
Extinguish any light or hope left within me.


There's a sun rising
There is hope for the future.


Steady now
Remain calm and focused.


Comfort me
Provide reassurance or consolation.




Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Aaron Brooking Dessner, Kelcey Paul Ayer, Matthew James Frazier, Ryan Clinton Hahn, Taylor David Rice

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

meritatralala

this version of Wooly Mammoth is batshit crazy.

Alfonso Villegas

It's been years and I can't stop listening to it.

Jackie Rodriguez

@Daniel Branton this video does the same for me. so powerful

Daniel Branton

I still visit this video once a week or so to maintain my sanity. Even years later...

Max Lachance

Kelcey is on one with the synth

Max Lachance

Something about Taylor's beard just completes it

Jumbo // ジャンボ ch.

They lift me out of depression, often. I'm forever grateful for their impact on my life.

Tristan Jersey

I'm retreating to the grace of this video right now

Crustacean

Same man. This band is so wonderful!

Edisa Villa

I still go back to this every once in a while. One of Blogotheque's best features!

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