Daily Routine
Animal Collective Lyrics
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Hope my machine's working right
When it's just precisely tuned
It's how it comes out so nice
Make sure my kid's got a jacket
And coat and shoes and hat
Strap a stroller to my back
Bouncing along every crack
What can I do to make it fast?
Sing a song to pass the playground
What can I do as traffic pass?
Guard my girl from muffler's black gas
What can I do to make it fast?
Pop a jump but not too hard
Take a little left up at the rest
Stop and look at the traffic signal
Up uneven steps and talking's hard
Just a sec more in my bed
Hope my machine's working right
When it's just precisely tuned
It's how it comes out so nice
Make sure my kid's got a jacket
And coat and shoes and hat
Strap a stroller to my back
Bouncing along every crack
What can I do to make it fast?
Sing a song to pass the playground
What can I do as traffic pass?
Guard my girl from muffler's black gas
What can you do to make it fast?
Pop a jump but not too hard
Take a little left up at the rest
Stop and look at the traffic signal
Just a sec more in my bed
Just a sec more in my bed
Hope my machine's working right
Just a sec more in my bed
Hope my machine's working right
Just a sec more in my bed
Hope my machine's working right
The song Daily Routine by Animal Collective is a contemplation on the mundane activities of daily life. The lyrics start with the singer asking for just a little more time in bed, hoping that their "machine" (presumably an alarm clock) is working correctly. The singer then goes through the routine of getting their child ready for the day, making sure they are properly dressed and putting them in a stroller. The song then explores how the singer navigates through their day, using different techniques to speed up or pass the time, such as singing a song at the playground or taking a little left turn to avoid traffic. The song ends with the singer returning to the same refrain of wanting just a little more time in bed.
The lyrics of Daily Routine can be interpreted as a commentary on the monotony of daily life and the desire for things to go smoothly. The "machine" can be seen as a metaphor for the daily routine, with the singer hoping it will work perfectly, so they can get through their day without any hiccups. The stroller is a symbol of the weight of responsibility the singer must carry and their need to constantly be moving. However, the song also suggests ways in which one can find small moments of joy amid the routine, such as singing a song or taking a little left turn.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a sec more in my bed
I want a little more time in bed before starting my busy day
Hope my machine's working right
I hope everything I need to use today works properly
When it's just precisely tuned
Things work smoothly when they are calibrated and set up perfectly
It's how it comes out so nice
The result is wonderful when everything is perfectly arranged and well-prepared
Make sure my kid's got a jacket
I need to ensure that my child is wearing appropriate clothing for the weather outside
And coat and shoes and hat
I also need to check that my child is properly dressed from head to toe
Strap a stroller to my back
I put my baby carriage on my back to prepare for my day
Bouncing along every crack
I have to navigate bumpy, uneven sidewalks while pushing the stroller
What can I do to make it fast?
What can I do to speed up the process?
Sing a song to pass the playground
I sing songs to my child to entertain them and pass the time
What can I do as traffic pass?
How can I make it through traffic, while also protecting my child from harmful pollutants?
Guard my girl from muffler's black gas
I take measures to ensure my child does not breathe in harmful car emissions
Pop a jump but not too hard
I hop my stroller over small obstacles, but I have to be careful not to damage it
Take a little left up at the rest
I turn left when I get to the end of the block
Stop and look at the traffic signal
I pause and wait for the traffic signal before crossing the street
Up uneven steps and talking's hard
I climb up the steps to my destination, and it's hard to talk and catch my breath
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Brian Ross Weitz, Noah Benjamin Lennox
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind