Avey Tare: We definitely didn’t expect it [the success of the song].
Geologist: We almost left it off the record.
Avey Tare: No, we didn’t almost leave it off the record, but we had difficulty recording it in the studio.
Panda Bear: The first version just didn’t feel great.
Avey Tare: I mean, when Noah sent us the demo, I instantly felt it was an incredible song that you just want to listen to over and over over again.
Geologist: It was undeniable.
Avey Tare: There was definitely an excitement about it, but there had been a lot of songs that Noah has written that we’ve been equally psyched on.
Geologist: When that song was coming out, I remember discussions with people at the BBC, where they were like, “Could you cut off the first minute?” because it just took too long to get going. So it still felt like a bit of an uphill thing for what people were calling our “biggest pop song.” People were telling us it was too weird for the mainstream unless we altered it in some way.
- via Pitchfork
My Girls
Animal Collective Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A solid soul and the blood I bleed
With a little girl, and by my spouse
I only want a proper house
There isn't much that I feel I need
A solid soul and the blood I bleed
With a little girl, and by my spouseI only want a proper house
Isn't much that I feel I need
A solid soul and the blood I bleed
With a little girl, and by my spouse
I only want a proper house
There isn't much that I feel I need
A solid soul and the blood I bleed
With a little girl, and by my spouse
I only want a proper house
I don't care for fancy things
Or to take part in the freshest wave
But to provide for mine who ask
I will with heart on my father's grave
I don't care for fancy things
Or to take part in the freshest wave
But to provide for mine who ask
I will with heart on my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's graveOn my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
Like a social status
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls (ahoo)
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
like a social status
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls
There isn't much that I feel I need
A solid soul and the blood I bleed
With a little girl, and by my spouse
I only want a proper house
I don't care for fancy things
Or to take part in the freshest wave
But to provide for mine who ask
I will with heart on my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
Like a social status
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls (ahoo)
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
like a social status
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls (ahoo)
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
Like a social status
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls (ahoo)
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
Like a social status
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls (ahoo)
Animal Collective's My Girls is a song about wanting simple things in life, with a focus on family and home. The lyrics repeat over and over with slight variations, creating a sense of longing and desire. The singer expresses that they don't care about material things, like social status or expensive belongings, but they do want a proper house for their little girl and spouse. The repetition of the phrase "on my father's grave" brings a sense of solemnity to the song, as if the singer is making a vow to their family and their own sense of values.
The song has been interpreted by many as a tribute to family and domesticity, a kind of ode to the comfort and safety that a home can provide. The lyrics touch on themes of love, security, and the idea of providing for the ones you care about. The singer is not asking for anything extravagant, just a place to call their own and a stable foundation for their family.
Overall, My Girls is a heartfelt song that celebrates the importance of family and home. Its simple lyrics are deceptive, as they convey a depth of feeling and emotion that is both touching and relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
Isn't much that I feel I need
There isn't much that I feel I need
A solid soul and the blood I bleed
I value inner strength and my own personal experiences
With a little girl, and by my spouse
Sharing my life with loved ones and family is important to me
I only want a proper house
I desire a comfortable and secure home
I don't care for fancy things
I don't prioritize luxury or extravagance
Or to take part in a precious race
I don't feel the need to compete for status or wealth
And children cry for the one who has
Kids look up to those who have compassion and generosity
A real big heart and a father's grave
A caring spirit and a connection to family roots are important
On my father's grave
I am making a solemn oath or promise
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
I don't want to come across as superficial or selfish
Like a social status
I'm not interested in impressing others or gaining social approval
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls (ahoo)
I simply want a sturdy and comfortable home for my loved ones
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
I don't want to come across as superficial or selfish
Like a social status
I'm not interested in impressing others or gaining social approval
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls (ahoo)
I simply want a sturdy and comfortable home for my loved ones
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
I don't want to come across as superficial or selfish
Like a social status
I'm not interested in impressing others or gaining social approval
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls (ahoo)
I simply want a sturdy and comfortable home for my loved ones
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
I don't want to come across as superficial or selfish
Like a social status
I'm not interested in impressing others or gaining social approval
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls (ahoo)
I simply want a sturdy and comfortable home for my loved ones
Isn't much that I feel I need
There isn't much that I feel I need
A solid soul and the blood I bleed
I value inner strength and my own personal experiences
With a little girl, and by my spouse
Sharing my life with loved ones and family is important to me
I only want a proper house
I desire a comfortable and secure home
I don't care for fancy things
I don't prioritize luxury or extravagance
Or to take part in a precious race
I don't feel the need to compete for status or wealth
And children cry for the one who has
Kids look up to those who have compassion and generosity
A real big heart and a father's grave
A caring spirit and a connection to family roots are important
On my father's grave
I am making a solemn oath or promise
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
I don't want to come across as superficial or selfish
Like a social status
I'm not interested in impressing others or gaining social approval
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls (ahoo)
I simply want a sturdy and comfortable home for my loved ones
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
I don't want to come across as superficial or selfish
Like a social status
I'm not interested in impressing others or gaining social approval
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls (ahoo)
I simply want a sturdy and comfortable home for my loved ones
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
I don't want to come across as superficial or selfish
Like a social status
I'm not interested in impressing others or gaining social approval
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls (ahoo)
I simply want a sturdy and comfortable home for my loved ones
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
I don't want to come across as superficial or selfish
Like a social status
I'm not interested in impressing others or gaining social approval
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls (ahoo)
I simply want a sturdy and comfortable home for my loved ones
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Weitz, David Michael Portner, Noah Benjamin Lennox
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@h0fscreenz
Intro]
Isn't much that I feel I need
A solid soul and the blood I bleed
But with a little girl, and by my spouse
I only want a proper house
There isn't much (Isn't much) that I feel I need (That I feel I need)
A solid soul (A solid soul) and the blood I bleed (and the blood I bleed)
But with a little girl (But with a little girl), and by my spouse (And by my spouse)
I only want (I only want) a proper house (A proper house)
[Verse]
There isn't much (There isn't much) that I feel I need (That I feel I need)
A solid soul (A solid soul) and the blood I bleed (and the blood I bleed)
But with a little girl (But with a little girl), and by my spouse (And by my spouse)
I only want (I only want) a proper house (A proper house)
[Verse]
There isn't much (There isn't much) that I feel I need (That I feel I need)
A solid soul (A solid soul) and the blood I bleed (and the blood I bleed)
But with a little girl (But with a little girl), and by my spouse (And by my spouse)
I only want (I only want) a proper house (A proper house)
[Pre-Chorus]
I don't care for fancy things
Or to take part in the freshest wave
But to provide for mine who ask
I will, with heart, on my father's grave
I don't care for fancy things
Or to take part in the freshest wave
But to provide for mine who ask
I will, with heart, on my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
[Chorus]
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
Like a social status
I just want four walls and adobe slats
For my girls
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
Like a social status
I just want four walls and adobe slats
For my girls
[Verse]
There isn't much (There isn't much) that I feel I need (That I feel I need)
A solid soul (A solid soul) and the blood I bleed (and the blood I bleed)
But with a little girl (But with a little girl), and by my spouse (And by my spouse)
I only want (I only want) a proper house (A proper house)
[Pre-Chorus]
I don't care for fancy things
Or to take part in the freshest wave
But to provide for mine who ask
I will, with heart, on my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
On my father's grave
[Chorus]
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
Like a social status
I just want four walls and adobe slats
For my girls
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
Like a social status
I just want four walls and adobe slats
For my girls
[Chorus]
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
Like a social status
I just want four walls and adobe slats
For my girls
I don't mean to seem like I care about material things
Like a social status
I just want four walls and adobe slats
For my girls
@declancunningham6849
My Dad passed away around a month ago now at only 51, and throughout his later years all he could ever talk about was that you HAD to listen to Animal Collective. like no other band mattered, even though he was a die hard Beach Boys Fanatic for almost 2 decades, this song made him go down the rabbit hole of every remix, remaster, and independent artist's music from the collectives music coming to modern day 2024. He described this track as the perfect pop song, and honestly I cant disagree with him. and for me being only 16 I think my big man put me on some pretty good shit when it comes to music, seeing how he blasted Merriweather everywhere we went as soon as I came out the womb . he used to see them live at least 5 times and finally got to take me at my birthday shortly before he was sent to the hospital. best concert of my life still to this day. To many more listens and tears shed to a song that has aged like wine...love you dad.
@santii8169
Sounds like your Dad had the jams, stay strong my brother.
@mandycourteau6028
What a wonderful memory. Your dad sounds like a wonderful man. Dad's have such a great influence in our lives and I know how important music is and how deeply it connects us all. Wish you peace when listening to the jams you and your dad shared ❣️
@daveneedham232
Sounds like a top fella. Rest Easy .
@PsycheSlut
You're about the age I was when I too, lost my father young (mine was 48), and the memories that come from the music he showed me, flood my life with joy and reminders of him when I hear Zeppelin or the Beatles in public all these years later (28 now). You'll carry that last concert in your heart forever, I'm so glad you had that experience with him. I wish all the time I could have exposed my dad to the more artistic music I got into as I got older- I put him on alot of nu-metal and emo while he wea here 😂.
Your comment has me reminiscing ❤ your dad will always be with you in the songs and memories you carry.
@cathaldeegan2067
On your fathers grave.....❣
@kelsey9326
15 years have gone by and I have never heard ANYTHING like this before or again. I feel like I’m more impressed by it now. It’s so unique.
@TonyTheTollMan
Accurate. I'm more floored by this song today than when i first heard it 15 years ago. Expert artists
@robminder
I feel the same! Formative experiences to this album and this song in particular. I was obsessed then by how new and fresh and innovative it felt, and coming back now I still feel that way.
@BrandiemPerez
This is so true.