Seal Eyeing
Animal Collective Lyrics

The lyrics of Animal Collective's "Seal Eyeing" invite the listener on a journey to see a seal swimming in a lake of melted ice in a remote, untouched part of nature. The act of walking slowly to the lake serves to create a sense of excitement as the destination is revered as being almost sacred in its serenity. The sight of the minnows catching some fish is a clear sign of the purity of the environment that surrounds the lake, and instantly the listeners are enticed to write about their experience of immersing themselves in their natural surroundings.

As the lyrics unveil, the urge to capture the moment in a photograph arises, however, as the song progresses, this desire becomes subdued due to the singer's realization that the ice is melting everywhere, suggesting that the tranquility of nature is under threat. The outlook becomes even more poignant as the singer remarks that eventually, we will all be melting on the shore, and our shoes will drip with rubber swirls, adding a sense of urgency to appreciate the lake and its surroundings and respect nature rather than exploit it. Finally, the line "Ah, good to swim in the sunshine" is this wishful thinking, a vision of a future where people can appreciate nature's beauty and partake in its majesty without the fear of harming it.

Overall, the song speaks to the importance of appreciating nature and the fragile balance that must be maintained to protect it. It reminds the listener of the destructive impact of modern society on natural environments and, in doing so, highlights the urgent need to protect and conserve the natural world.