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.
Don't Believe The Pilot
Animal Collective Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Flying like a seagull)
Take a look and you'll be flying
(Flying like a buzzard)
Take a look and you'll be flying
(Flying like a seagull)
Take a look and you'll be flying
(Flying like a buzzard)
(Flying like a gull)
Don't believe that pilot
Don't believe that pilot
Don't believe that pilot
Don't believe that pilot
The lyrics to Animal Collective's "Don't Believe The Pilot" can be interpreted in different ways, depending on how one perceives the role of the "pilot". On one level, the song seems to be a cautionary tale about blind trust in authority figures or leaders, who may lead their followers to a perilous destination. The repeated refrain of "Don't believe that pilot" suggests that the singer is warning someone not to put their faith in someone else's hands, but to take control of their own destiny instead. The lines that evoke the image of flying like a seagull, buzzard, or gull could be seen as a metaphor for the freedom that comes with independence and self-reliance, as opposed to being a mere passenger or follower.
On another level, the song can also be read as a commentary on the instability or fragility of the human psyche, and the dangers of losing touch with reality. The pilot could be seen as a symbol of the rational or logical mind, which we rely on to navigate through life, but which can sometimes malfunction or deceive us. The repeated exhortation to "take a look" and see the world as it is could be interpreted as a call to be more mindful, attentive, and grounded in the present moment, rather than lost in illusions or fantasies. In a sense, the song could be seen as advocating for a kind of spiritual or psychological awakening, in which we shed our illusions and become more fully alive.
Overall, "Don't Believe The Pilot" combines playful, almost childlike imagery with darker, more complex themes of trust, freedom, and reality. Its catchy melody and repeated refrains make it a memorable and thought-provoking piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a look and you'll be flying
You'll feel free and unburdened just by looking at something, like a seagull, buzzard or gull
Don't believe that pilot
Don't trust the authority and control that someone may assert over you, especially if they're steering your course
Don't believe that pilot
Don't be fooled by someone who claims to know what's best for you or where you're going
Don't believe that pilot
Don't rely solely on the guidance of others, listen to your own instincts and intuition
Don't believe that pilot
Don't let someone else's judgments or opinions influence your direction
Contributed by Camilla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TheAttendee
Back in high school my friends and I would listen to this in the car on full blast with all the windows down, singing along the whole time and giggling about all the strange stares we got. Thanks for keeping this version alive!
@foodchewer
I like to think that Animal Collective, once upon a time, discovered the secret to happiness in (a) song. They're all trying to teach us something. Sometimes I forget, then I just listen again-and I remember that there is yet magic in the soil, in the ground beneath our feet and in the air we breathe. I would also just like to say that this is my first time listening to this song and I think it's really funny.
@Shino12567
I also had this thought at 13 years old and still do at 26
@larrynester6387
@Dale J i feel this way with AnCo and with The Microphones/Mount Eerie
@GravesbSuper
i can feel more meaning than words in this song
@saturatedneowax
holy shit just heard this boy live
@aljr0
Listening to this on a plane, about to take off
@KillCanPsycho
panda's screams are awesome
@floatingboy
The essence of SCG is strong with this one
@Steve1190
this is the shit man