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.
What Would I Want
Animal Collective Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What do I want
Sky (What would I want, sky)
Is everything alright?
You feelin' moany?
You feelin' lonely?
You're not the only
Is everything alright?
You feelin' phony?
You're not the only
Do you get up up up?
Clouds stop and move above me, too bad they can't help me,
What is the right way?
Do I float up up up, and not stop and look around me?
Grays where that color should be, what is the right way?
Old glass is clinkin' and a new order's blinkin' and I,
I should be floatin', but I'm weighted by thinking
I got on the river, wait, can't make it change,
But the sky gets filled up too fast and the tide seen them sayin', you better,
Give me some money, stop, daydreamin' dude.
When the thought of horizon is hiding from you,
What would you want? sky (what do I want? sky)
Is everything alright? You feelin' lonely?
You feelin' moldy? You're not the only
Is everything alright? You feelin' stormy?
You feelin' foamy? You're not the only
Do you get up up up?
Clouds stop and move above me,
Too bad they can't help me, what Is the right way?
Do I float up up up?
When I stop and look around me,
Grays where that color should be, what is the right way?
Old glass is clinkin' and a, new order's blinkin'
And a- I should be floatin', but I'm weighted by thinking
I will fly up the river that'll make me some change,
Well the sky gets filled up too fast and the tide she kept waiting,
But, give me some money, stop, daydreaming dude,
When the thought of horizon is hiding it's blues
What would you want,
Sky (what did I want, sky) (what would I want, sky)
The lyrics of Animal Collective's song "What Would I Want" describe the internal conflict of the singer as he wrestles with feelings of loneliness, confusion, and uncertainty. The song's central metaphor is the sky, which represents a sense of freedom and direction for the singer, but is also an elusive and constantly changing presence. The song opens with the singer addressing the sky, asking it what he wants, suggesting that the sky is something he looks to for guidance and clarity. However, as the song progresses, he becomes increasingly frustrated and overwhelmed, unable to find a clear path forward. The repeated question, "What is the right way?" highlights his sense of confusion and existential angst.
The song also touches on themes of capitalism and commercialism, as the singer is asked for money and told to "stop daydreaming" and focus on making a profit. This further adds to his sense of disillusionment with the world around him.
Overall, "What Would I Want" is a complex and introspective song that delves into themes of identity, purpose, and self-doubt.
Line by Line Meaning
Sky,
The song opens with a direct address to the sky, indicating that the singer is searching for something greater than what they currently have.
What do I want
The singer is questioning their desires and what they truly want out of life.
Sky (What would I want, sky)
The singer further addresses the sky, emphasizing their desire for guidance or inspiration in figuring out their true desires.
Is everything alright?
The artist expresses concern for their own well-being and mental state.
You feelin' moany?
The artist questions if others also feel depressed or unfulfilled.
You feelin' lonely?
The singer questions if others also feel lonely and disconnected from the world.
You're not the only
The singer offers reassurance that they are not alone in their struggles and that others can relate to their experiences.
Do you get up up up?
The artist questions if there is a way to escape their current mindset and elevate themselves to a higher, more positive state.
Clouds stop and move above me, too bad they can't help me,
The artist observes the movement of the clouds, noting that they are unable to offer any real assistance or guidance in their search for enlightenment.
What is the right way?
The artist is questioning the path they should take in life to find fulfillment and happiness.
Do I float up up up, and not stop and look around me?
The singer questions if they should continue to aim for higher states of being without appreciating the present moment.
Grays where that color should be, what is the right way?
The artist observes the absence of color in their surroundings, perhaps indicating a lack of vibrancy or excitement in their life.
Old glass is clinkin' and a new order's blinkin' and I, I should be floatin', but I'm weighted by thinking
The singer is distracted by the noise and commotion of their surroundings, preventing them from achieving a more peaceful state of mind.
I got on the river, wait, can't make it change,
The singer feels stuck in their current situation and unable to enact any real change.
But the sky gets filled up too fast and the tide seen them sayin', you better,
The singer observes the rapid pace of life and feels pressure to keep up with it, perhaps indicating a fear of falling behind or missing out.
Give me some money, stop, daydreamin' dude.
The artist is interrupted from their daydreaming by the harsh realities of life and the need to work or make money.
When the thought of horizon is hiding from you,
The artist feels like their dreams and aspirations are out of reach, perhaps due to external circumstances or their own mental state.
What would you want? sky (what do I want? sky)
The singer returns to the theme of searching for guidance from the sky in figuring out their desires and direction in life.
Is everything alright? You feelin' lonely?
The singer asks again about the state of their own mental health and that of others around them.
You feelin' moldy? You're not the only
The artist again offers reassurance that others can relate to their struggles.
You feelin' stormy? You feelin' foamy? You're not the only
The artist continues to ask about the emotions of those around them and offer reassurance that they are not alone.
When I stop and look around me, Grays where that color should be, what is the right way?
The artist once again observes the lack of vibrancy in their surroundings and questions the path they should take in life.
I will fly up the river that'll make me some change,
The singer is motivated to make a change in their life, perhaps indicating a newfound sense of hope or determination.
Well the sky gets filled up too fast and the tide she kept waiting,
The artist acknowledges the fast-paced nature of life and the feeling of being left behind or unable to keep up.
But, give me some money, stop, daydreaming dude,
The singer is once again interrupted from their daydreaming by the need to work or make money.
When the thought of horizon is hiding it's blues
The singer again feels like their dreams and aspirations are out of reach or obscured by external circumstances.
What would you want, Sky (what did I want, sky) (what would I want, sky)
The song concludes with the singer once again questioning the sky and searching for guidance in figuring out their true desires and direction in life.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN ROSS WEITZ, DAVID MICHAEL PORTNER, NOAH BENJAMIN LENNOX, PHILIP LESH, ROBERT M. PETERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexandrejones8634
Is everything alright?
Well, I should be floating but I'm weighted by thinking. You know, the sky gets filled up too fast.
Hey, stop daydreaming, dude!
But the point on the horizon is hiding from view.
So what would you want?
The sky.
@gumbee9967
Good dreams
Sky
What would I want? Sky
Is everything alright?
You feeling moldy?
You feeling lonely?
You're not the only
Is everything alright?
You feeling stormy?
You feeling phony?
You're not the only
Do you get up up up?
Clouds stop and move above me
Too bad they can't help me
What is the right way?
Do I float up up up?
I stop and look around me,
Gray's where that color should be,
What is the right way?
Old glasses clinking and a new order's blinking
And I, I should be floating but I'm weighted by thinking
That I got on the river,
Really can't make it change,
When the sky gets filled up too fast
And the taxi man's saying, "You better
Give me some money,
Stop daydreaming, dude!"
When the point of horizon is hiding from you,
What would you want, sky?
What would I want? Sky
Is everything alright?
You feeling lonely?
You feeling moldy?
You're not the only
Is everything alright?
You feeling stormy?
You feeling phony?
You're not the only
(Are you taking it lightly?
Lost in the flurry
You start to worry
You will be buried
Taking it lightly
And so you hurry
And then you worry
Here come those flurries)
Do you get up up up?
Clouds stop and move above me
Too bad they can't help me
What is the right way?
Do I float up up up?
When I stop and look around me,
Gray's where that color should be,
What is the right way?
(Taking it lightly?
Lost in the flurry
You start to worry
You will be buried
Taking it lightly
And so you hurry
And then you worry
Here come those flurries)
Old glasses clinking and a new order's blinking
And I, I should be floating but I'm weighted by thinking
I'm a fly on the river,
Gotta make me some change,
When the sky gets filled up too fast
And the taxi cab's waiting, you better
Give him some money,
Stop daydreaming, dude,
When the point of horizon is hiding its blues
What would you want, sky?
What would I want? Sky
@WiloPolis03
One of their greatest songs they've ever made tbh
@samuelcarstens6152
Tbh makes me question your sincerity, tbh. Maybe Weird Al was right.
@FM-pr1ht
I can’t believe how good this song is after not hearing it for years. Either this or Grass as my all time fav of theirs. Pop geniuses right here folks!!!!
@stfran24
'I should be floating but i'm weighted by thinking' - this is why i cant smoke anymore
@34rret_two53
same friend
@catcrapinahat
I quit at 19 for the same reason, everyone else is enjoying this and I should to but it makes me feel worse and weighs me down more. Horrible feelings.
@WiloPolis03
W
@chance1295
Gotta accept & join the psychedelic ride brother!
@ole_limberlegs
I can't swim
@carson9763
criminally underrated