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.
Monkey Riches
Animal Collective Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to get my knees out in the dirt with my hands
Cause I have been a cerebral spouse
And my head wants to go into the emerald house
And I want to look out, I don't want to bail out
And I want to help out, I don't want to nod out
But why am I still looking for a golden age?
You tell me that I ought to have a golden wage
Every time I look up at that blurry sun
All I think about are bodies floating up
Everybody ought to get that special glance
Why does dawn leave everybody home with chance?
It makes me wonder how I even wrote this song
Does this not occur to almost everyone?
It makes a monkey wretch
It makes a monkey rich
Lately I want to be in my heart
But where exactly is my heart and where does it start?
I don't want that Tylenol
Can I sing and make change without crushing clams?
I can help the little things but I have big plans
I don't want that Tylenol
It makes a monkey wretch
It makes a monkey rich
The lyrics to Animal Collective's song Monkey Riches can be interpreted in different ways, but the overall theme seems to revolve around the struggle to find purpose and meaning in life, particularly in the face of societal pressures and capitalist ideals. The singer expresses a desire to connect with nature and get his "knees out in the dirt with [his] hands" instead of being a "cerebral spouse," consumed by thoughts and expectations. He longs for a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment that isn't based on financial success ("golden wage") or superficial pleasures.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of mortality and the fleeting nature of existence. The singer reflects on the transience of life, symbolized by the "blurry sun" and the image of "bodies floating up," which suggests death or transcendence. He questions why some people seem to get special treatment or luck ("special glance") while others are left with uncertainty and mystery ("chance"). This theme is reinforced by the repetition of the phrase "It makes a monkey wretch/ It makes a monkey rich," which suggests that success and failure are arbitrary and meaningless.
Overall, Monkey Riches speaks to the human struggle to find meaning and purpose in life, and the challenge of reconciling personal desires with societal expectations. The lyrics are open-ended and ambiguous, allowing listeners to interpret the words in their own way and find personal resonance in them.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately I need a better plan
I've been feeling lost and aimless and need to figure out a new direction.
I want to get my knees out in the dirt with my hands
I want to connect with the natural world and get back to basics.
Cause I have been a cerebral spouse
I've been too focused on intellectual pursuits and need to balance that with more physical engagement.
And my head wants to go into the emerald house
I want to explore new ideas and ways of being.
And I want to look out, I don't want to bail out
I want to be brave and face the unknown instead of running away.
And I want to help out, I don't want to nod out
I want to be of service to others and be present and engaged in the world.
I don't want to knock you down
I don't want to be competitive or aggressive towards others.
But why am I still looking for a golden age?
I'm wondering why we keep idealizing the past and seeking some kind of utopia that may not exist.
You tell me that I ought to have a golden wage
There's pressure to succeed and earn money in our society, which can be distracting from more meaningful pursuits.
Every time I look up at that blurry sun
I'm struggling to find clarity or direction.
All I think about are bodies floating up
I'm haunted by the impermanence and fragility of life.
Everybody ought to get that special glance
Everyone deserves to feel seen and appreciated.
Why does dawn leave everybody home with chance?
Why does a new day bring so much uncertainty and unpredictability?
It makes me wonder how I even wrote this song
Reflecting on the creative process and how it brings up these existential questions and doubts.
Does this not occur to almost everyone?
Am I alone in feeling this way or is it a universal experience?
It makes a monkey wretch
These anxieties and uncertainties can be overwhelming and painful.
It makes a monkey rich
But they can also be a source of inspiration and creativity.
Lately I want to be in my heart
I want to connect with my emotions and intuition.
But where exactly is my heart and where does it start?
I'm not sure where to start in this quest for emotional connection and understanding.
I don't want that Tylenol
I don't want to rely on medication or other quick fixes to escape my problems.
Can I sing and make change without crushing clams?
Can I make a positive impact in the world without causing harm?
I can help the little things but I have big plans
I want to make a difference on a larger scale, but I don't want to overlook the small things that matter.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: BRIAN ROSS WEITZ, DAVID MICHAEL PORTNER, JOSHUA CALEB DIBB, NOAH BENJAMIN LENNOX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
realoatmeal
LYRICS
Lately I need a better plan
I want to get my knees out in the dirt with my hands
Cause I have been a cerebral spouse
And my head wants to go into the emerald house
And I want to look out, I don't want to bail out
And I want to help out, I don't want to nod out
I don't want to knock you down
But why am I still looking for a golden age?
You tell me that I ought to have a golden wage
Every time I look up at that blurry sun
All I think about are bodies floating up
Everybody ought to get that special glance
Why does dawn leave everybody home with chance?
It makes me wonder how I even wrote this song
Does this not occur to almost everyone?
It makes a monkey wretch
It makes a monkey rich
Lately I want to be in my heart
But where exactly is my heart and where does it start?
I don't want that Tylenol
Can I sing and make change without crushing clams?
I can help the little things but I have big plans
I don't want that Tylenol
It makes a monkey wretch
It makes a monkey rich
Quade Carter
Best animal collective song. Such an underrated album
realoatmeal
LYRICS
Lately I need a better plan
I want to get my knees out in the dirt with my hands
Cause I have been a cerebral spouse
And my head wants to go into the emerald house
And I want to look out, I don't want to bail out
And I want to help out, I don't want to nod out
I don't want to knock you down
But why am I still looking for a golden age?
You tell me that I ought to have a golden wage
Every time I look up at that blurry sun
All I think about are bodies floating up
Everybody ought to get that special glance
Why does dawn leave everybody home with chance?
It makes me wonder how I even wrote this song
Does this not occur to almost everyone?
It makes a monkey wretch
It makes a monkey rich
Lately I want to be in my heart
But where exactly is my heart and where does it start?
I don't want that Tylenol
Can I sing and make change without crushing clams?
I can help the little things but I have big plans
I don't want that Tylenol
It makes a monkey wretch
It makes a monkey rich
chinchilla
Nice pfp
unremarkable
This album is probably my favorite by them, and this song is the absolute sickest earworm.
PatronSaintOfTx
I've been a fan for a very long time and I love hearing various explanations because everyone gets a different meaning from their music and videos. That's the beauty of music ;) It's art. I'm sure you understand that.
Scott Hall
Oddly enough, this is amongst the most normal videos Animal Collective's ever made.
Omara Or Whatever
still love that this was released on my birthday all those years ago, classic album from them i think they really honed in on what they wanted to get across on Centipede and got only better from there !
Westley Viau
I can't stop listening to this song, it's so damn good.
FoodOfTheGods
Awesome, AC never disappoints. Aweinspiring Tune.
itgoesitgoesitgoesitgoesitgoesitgoesitgoesitgoes
Wow this is good, I hope they make it big one day.