Manimal
The Germs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting to be caged
But something stood in the way
I was never quite tamed
I crossed the paths of right and wrong
And saw them take their toll
I saw armies that marched
And like animals they crawled
I came into this world like a puzzled panther
Waiting to be caged
But something stood in the way
I was never quite tamed
Evolution is a process too slow
To save my soul
But I've got this creature on my back
And it just won't let go
If I am only an animal
Then I can do no wrong
But they say I'm something better
So I've gotta hold on
The Germs' song, Manimal, is a philosophical exploration of human nature and the animalistic tendencies humans possess. The lyrics "I came into this world like a puzzled panther, waiting to be caged" suggests that the singer feels trapped, unable to fully express their wild, animalistic nature. The presence of something that stands in the way of being caged hints at the societal constraints that prohibit humans from embracing their primal instincts.
The line "evolution is a process too slow to save my soul" talks about the limitations of evolution, implying that humans are still bounded by their animalistic side despite the evolution of their species. The line "but I've got this creature on my back, and it just won't let go" indicates that the singer is struggling to suppress their animalistic nature, and it's a part of them they can't ignore.
The final lines of the song, "If I am only an animal, then I can do no wrong, but they say I'm something better, so I've gotta hold on" suggest that the singer is caught between their animalistic instincts and societal pressures to behave in a civilized manner. Despite the constraints and expectations imposed by society, the singer is struggling to embrace their wild nature.
Overall, Manimal can be seen as an exploration of the struggle between human nature and societal pressures for conformity.
Line by Line Meaning
I came into this world like a puzzled panther
I was born feeling lost and confused, like a wild animal that is uncertain in captivity
Waiting to be caged
My fate is controlled by others, and I have no control over what happens to me
But something stood in the way
An obstacle in my path prevented me from being fully constrained
I was never quite tamed
I am too wild and instinctual to be fully domesticated
I crossed the paths of right and wrong
I have experienced moral dilemmas and made choices that have had consequences
And saw them take their toll
I have witnessed the impact of these choices on myself and others
I saw armies that marched
I have observed the organized and powerful forces of human society
And like animals they crawled
These forces behave like animals, driven by instinct and power struggles
Evolution is a process too slow
The natural progression of change is not fast enough to help me in my current situation
To save my soul
To protect my essence as a living being
But I've got this creature on my back
There is something weighing me down or holding me back
And it just won't let go
This burden or limitation is persistent and unrelenting
If I am only an animal
If I am viewed as a purely instinctual creature
Then I can do no wrong
Then my actions cannot be judged as right or wrong in the way that human actions can
But they say I'm something better
Society defines me as more than just an animal, with more moral and ethical responsibilities
So I've gotta hold on
I must adhere to these societal expectations and live up to a higher standard
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Darby Crash, Georg Ruthenberg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
steven nadeau
Darby's lyrics are overlooked alot. I mean writing this stuff at 19, 20 yrs. Old. These manimal lyrics are prodigy level words. Ahead of its time. Gone way too soon RIP Darby.
S Duncan
rozz williams was the next poet
Boris Sheen
poet.
Ape
Overlooked cause you can’t tell wtf he’s saying half the time lol
Joey Whiteside
@Ape bleeeeaaaauuiugvggh
Scott French
He's the greatest of American punk lyricists, and that's what separates Germs from everybody else.
alley kitty
Darby Crash has such a beautiful voice
Владка _
He was intelligent
sexybiskvit
@Владка _ for sure intelligent af when he killed himself
Michael Pierpoint
"I want a song that's indelible, like Manimal" - Dave Grohl