This is a personal song for Lennox as he talks about his focus on his famil… Read Full Bio ↴This is a personal song for Lennox as he talks about his focus on his family. The “girls” are his wife, and his daughter who was born in 2005. The song grows from a synth-speckled, half-speed intro into a booming electro-pop burner with handclaps and deep bass – a towering edifice of sound. It is Animal Collective's first single for their 2009 studio album Merriweather Post Pavilion .

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 ↴

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

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 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

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)

Overall Meaning

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