Dangerous Animals
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics

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I'm pinned down by the dark

Been fighting with my sheets and nearly crying in my sleep
Yes, I'm battling that well-told gripe, the most restraining type
You should have racing stripes the way you keep me in pursuit
Sharpen the heel of your boot and you press it to my chest
And you make me wheeze, then to my knees you do promote me

I'm pinned down by the dark
A-N-I-M-A-L
Makes my head pirouette
More than I would be willing to confess
D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S

The light it fidgets through, the thoughts'll soon revert to you
About as bashful as a tribal dance, the first and final chance
And course the audience of frighteners and fiends
Divided up into two teams
When the acrobat fell off the beam, she broke everyone's heart

I'm pinned down by the dark
A-N-I-M-A-L
Makes my head pirouette
More than I would be willing to confess
D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S
D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S
The most unsuitable pet
It's been long enough now, so let's
Make a mess lioness

I'm pinned down by the dark
I'm pinned down by the dark, oh-oh-oh

D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S
A-N-I-M-A-L

D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S
A-N-I-M-A-L

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Arctic Monkeys' "Dangerous Animals" speak of a struggle with desire and obsession. The singer is battling with their own thoughts, stuck in bed and nearly crying, consumed by a feeling that keeps them in pursuit of someone who makes them feel both helpless and excited. The person they desire is described as an animal, dangerous and unsuitable as a pet, but still alluring. The imagery of an acrobat falling off a beam is used to describe the emotional turmoil of the situation, as it breaks everyone's heart and leaves them divided.

The use of animal imagery in the song is very intentional. The person they desire is described as an "A-N-I-M-A-L," and later as a "lioness" that they want to make a mess with. This animalistic desire is contrasted with the vulnerability of the singer, who describes themselves as pinned down by the dark. The use of racing stripes and the heel of a boot add to the sense of physicality and aggression in the song.

Overall, "Dangerous Animals" is a song about the struggle between desire and control. The singer is powerless against their own feelings, unable to resist the allure of a dangerous lover. The animal imagery in the lyrics underscores the intensity of these feelings, adding a sense of wildness and unpredictability to the song.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm pinned down by the dark
Feeling trapped and restrained by a negative mental state

Been fighting with my sheets and nearly crying in my sleep
Struggling with insomnia and overwhelming emotions

Yes, I'm battling that well-told gripe, the most restraining type
Fighting a common inner demon that threatens to hold one back

You should have racing stripes the way you keep me in pursuit
Describing a lover's ability to keep one chasing an unattainable goal

Sharpen the heel of your boot and you press it to my chest
Imagining a partner's power over one's life and emotions as physically crushing

And you make me wheeze, then to my knees you do promote me
Expressing the way a partner can simultaneously take one's breath away and bring one to submission

A-N-I-M-A-L
Spelling out the animalistic, instinctual nature of the attraction

Makes my head pirouette
Illustrating the intoxicating, dizzying effect this person has on one's thoughts

More than I would be willing to confess
Admitting to the magnitude of the crush, perhaps beyond what one would like to publicly acknowledge

D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S
Highlighting the risky, potentially harmful nature of the attraction

The light it fidgets through, the thoughts'll soon revert to you
Describing how the slightest distraction can lead one's mind back to thoughts of the person

About as bashful as a tribal dance, the first and final chance
Portraying oneself as awkward and without much experience with this level of attraction

And course the audience of frighteners and fiends
Suggesting that onlookers might find the relationship inappropriate or frightening

Divided up into two teams
Painting a picture of differing opinions and allegiances regarding the relationship

When the acrobat fell off the beam, she broke everyone's heart
Telling a story of a public failure that caused widespread disappointment, possibly as a metaphor for the risks involved in the relationship

The most unsuitable pet
Describing oneself as a poor match for this powerful, dangerous love interest

It's been long enough now, so let's
Suggesting that it's time to act on the attraction and see where it leads

Make a mess lioness
Embracing the potential chaos and excitement of being with this person

I'm pinned down by the dark, oh-oh-oh
Repeating the earlier refrain to express a continued sense of being trapped by one's emotions

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alex Turner

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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