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.
Sweet Road
Animal Collective Lyrics
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Hurry up, no
Hurry up, huh
it started like a stone
I grew it out but then I rested it
I found sweet road
It came announced on the right
I'm tainted in a patchy problem
None can tell what I can tell ya
Let them eagles have good times
It's a road and not a soda
I found sweet road
I found sweet road
it started like a stone
I grew it out but then I rested it
I found sweet road
It came out of us on the right
I left my purse then found the road
Animal Collective's Sweet Road is a very thought-provoking and heady song. While the lyrics may seem simple and nonsensical at times; they are ripe with deeper meanings and themes that reveal themselves on closer inspection. The song appears to be a meditation on life's journey and the choices we make along the way. The opening lines "Wee/Hurry up, no/Hurry up, huh" suggest a desire to move forward and a sense of urgency in the journey. However, this is countered by the later refrain "It's a road and not a soda" which seems to hint at the need to take things slow and enjoy the journey.
The rest of the song continues with similarly seemingly mundane observations that hide deeper meanings. "I'm tainted in a patchy problem/None can tell what I can tell ya" suggests a feeling of alienation and a sense that the singer has seen things that others haven't. "Let them eagles have good times" could be interpreted as a warning against greed or a nod to the freedom to pursue happiness. Ultimately, the song seems to leave listeners with the idea that the journey, while important and worthy of our full attention, is also unpredictable and unexplainable.
Line by Line Meaning
Wee
Expression of excitement or joy
Hurry up, no
Don't rush, take your time
Hurry up, huh
Encouragement to move forward with confidence
It started like a stone
The beginning was rough and unrefined
I grew it out but then I rested it
I continued to work on it until it was ready, then took a break
I found sweet road
I discovered something new and exciting
It came announced on the right
It came unexpectedly, but in the best way possible
I left my purse then found the road
I let go of material possessions and allowed myself to pursue this new path
I'm tainted in a patchy problem
I'm dealing with a difficult situation that is unclear and confusing
None can tell what I can tell ya
No one else can understand my experience and perspective
Let them eagles have good times
Let others enjoy what they have, while I focus on my own journey
It's a road and not a soda
This path I'm on is real and substantial, not just superficial or fleeting
I found sweet road
I am grateful for this new direction and experience
I found sweet road
I am reminded of my discovery and the positive impact it has had on me
It started like a stone
This journey had a rocky beginning
I grew it out but then I rested it
I put in a lot of effort and then took a break to let it develop
I found sweet road
I am grateful for this new path and the positive changes it has brought into my life
It came out of us on the right
The path appeared in front of us unexpectedly from the right direction
I left my purse then found the road
I let go of material possessions and took a chance on this new opportunity
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: DAVID MICHAEL PORTNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind