The band has released fourteen albums: "Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished" (2000), "Danse Manatee" (2001), "Campfire Songs" (2003), "Here Comes the Indian" (2003), "Sung Tongs" (2004), "Feels" (2005), "Strawberry Jam" (2007), "Merriweather Post Pavilion" (2009), "Centipede Hz" (2012), "Painting With" (2016), "Tangerine Reef" (2018), "Crestone" (2021), "Time Skiffs" (2022), and "Isn't It Now?" (2023). They also composed and performed the soundtrack for the 2022 film, The Inspection, directed by Elegance Bratton and produced by A24.
Prior to "Here Comes the Indian", the group's albums were not credited to the band name "Animal Collective" but instead to "Avey Tare & Panda Bear" (for "Spirit"), "Avey Tare, Panda Bear & Geologist" (for "Danse") and "Campfire Songs" (for "Campfire Songs").
The band members met in school and started recording together in various forms of collaboration from a young age. Although the band is often classified as psych folk or noise rock, it is hard to define the Animal Collective sound as they often experiment with diverse styles and ideas from album to album. The group also runs the record label Paw Tracks on which they have released their own material as well as material by artists such as Ariel Pink, Terrestrial Tones, and The Peppermints. Paw Tracks' latest signee is Tickley Feather, with whom the band recently toured.
Ahhh Good Country
Animal Collective Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it should be a leader
who kept them all in green and red
should not be allowed to be free
cause this land of mine beats still
the place would rise above us
to tear your roots up out the earth
ahhh good country
seeds above us
kiss this child and he'll surely wake up
I don't care if
I don't wake up
you'll kiss me and I'll surely wake up
ahhh good country
trees above us
mountain lions gonna surely wake up
child won't fret if
he does wake up
you'll see me and we'll surely make up
ahhh good country
seeds below us
kiss this child and he'll surely wake up
don't you fret if
I will wake up
they'll see you then they'll surely make up
The lyrics of Animal Collective's song "Ahhh Good Country" are open to interpretation and can be viewed through different lenses. However, one possible interpretation is that the song is a commentary on the damaging effects of modernity and consumerism on the environment and the human spirit. The lyrics suggest a longing for a simpler and more harmonious way of life that values the earth and its resources.
The opening lines of the song express a desire for a leader who can maintain a balance between nature and its exploitation because the land is blessed and should not be ruined. The next stanza talks about the inevitable destruction of nature by man-made fruits and abrupt urbanization. The chorus, "Ahhh good country," can be viewed as a nostalgic and romanticized yearning for a simpler and happier life. The lyrics are then followed by an affirmation of the restorative power of nature and its spiritual uplifting. The song ends with a reminder that humans need to reconcile with nature and each other to preserve a peaceful and sustainable existence.
Line by Line Meaning
i thought our brother ??
I had a thought about a missing family member.
it should be a leader
They should be in charge.
who kept them all in green and red
Who kept everything in order and harmonious.
should not be allowed to be free
They should not be allowed to roam free and do as they please.
cause this land of mine beats still
This land is peaceful and unchanging.
the place would rise above us
The land would grow and thrive without us.
to tear your roots up out the earth
To uproot the society and traditions we have built.
and man-made fruits don't ??
And the artificial things we create will not replace what nature can offer.
ahhh good country
Expressing admiration for the land.
seeds above us
Referring to plants growing or falling from above.
kiss this child and he'll surely wake up
Kissing the child will bring them awake or to realization.
I don't care if
It does not matter if.
I don't wake up
If I don't awaken or realize something important.
you'll kiss me and I'll surely wake up
Being awoken or brought to a realization through physical touch.
trees above us
Referring to the trees growing or standing above the individuals.
mountain lions gonna surely wake up
The predators living in the mountains are bound to awaken.
child won't fret if
The child will not worry if.
he does wake up
If he is awakened or comes to realize something valuable.
you'll see me and we'll surely make up
Being reunited and reconciling after a period of separation or conflict.
seeds below us
Referring to the seeds that are planted or exist under the surface.
don't you fret if
Don't worry if.
I will wake up
If I do awaken or understand something important.
they'll see you then they'll surely make up
If they see you, they will reunite and reconcile after a period of strife or conflict.
Contributed by Makayla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.