Animals
Big Thief Lyrics
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Such a vision in the sun, how they rail
I catch my breath and count my dough
And I only live to run and I'll need to go
You and I were born and I'll make you make your mind up
Hold me
She always knew
That I love to run so well but I need to go
You and I were born and I'll make you make your mind up
Hold me
You and I were born with the same design
Nothing in the world that will make you make your mind up
If I had a choice I'll wait to find
Nothing in your eyes will tell me where you'll lie
Hold me
The opening line 'The animals are wonderful' in Big Thief's song Animals, sets the scene as the singer observes a beautiful scene in nature, perhaps seeing the beauty of the animal kingdom he is struck by awe. As the song progresses we learn about the singer's restlessness, he only lives to run, he doesn't have a set destination in mind he just needs to move. He implores the listener to 'make up their mind', perhaps suggesting that they have been indecisive in the past. We also hear the line 'You and I were born with the same design', perhaps implying that both the singer and the listener are both travellers, with an innate desire to move, to explore and to be free.
The singer repeats 'Hold me' throughout the song implying a sense of vulnerability, that despite wanting to move, he also needs support and comfort. The song could be interpreted as a bittersweet mix of wanderlust and longing for connection, a sense of running away and looking for home all at once. The final lines 'if I had a choice I'll wait to find, nothing in your eyes will tell me where you'll lie, hold me' suggest that despite uncertainty, despite the unknown future, the singer wants the listener there with him, offering support and comfort.
Line by Line Meaning
The animals are wonderful
The singer is in awe of the animals and their beauty.
Such a vision in the sun, how they rail
The animals look stunning in the sunlight and they move with energy and grace.
I catch my breath and count my dough
The singer is taken aback by the animals and momentarily forgets about their own financial troubles.
And I only live to run and I'll need to go
The artist feels a major compulsion to keep moving and can't stay in one place for too long.
You and I were born and I'll make you make your mind up
The artist and the person they're addressing were both meant to live a certain way, and the artist wants the other person to make a decision about their future.
Hold me
The singer longs for physical comfort and emotional support from the person they're addressing.
She always knew
The subject of the song has always had an understanding about the singer's restlessness and wanderlust.
She'll always know
The subject of the song will always understand the artist's true nature.
That I love to run so well but I need to go
The artist acknowledges that they have a natural talent for running and moving quickly, but they also have an urge to leave places behind and keep exploring.
You and I were born and I'll make you make your mind up
The artist emphasizes that the person they're addressing has a similar inclination to move around and explore, and they need to make a decision about their future.
Hold me
The singer is pleading for affection and support from the person they're addressing.
You and I were born with the same design
The artist feels a kinship with the person they're addressing, as if they were both made with the same purpose in mind.
Nothing in the world that will make you make your mind up
The singer believes that there's nothing external that will help the person they're addressing decide what to do in life. They have to make the decision on their own.
If I had a choice I'll wait to find
The singer wishes they could wait for the other person to decide what they want to do before moving on themselves. However, they feel compelled to keep moving.
Nothing in your eyes will tell me where you'll lie
The singer believes they can't predict what the person they're addressing will choose to do, even if they look into their eyes and try to read their emotions.
Hold me
The artist is still asking for comfort and reassurance from the person they're addressing.
Contributed by Nora F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cielcia Kalon
The animals are wonderful
Such a vision in the sun, how they lay low
I catch my breath and count my dough
And i only live to run and i need to go
You and i were born with the same design
Nothing in the world will make you make your mind up oh me
She always knew, she'll always know
That i loved her oh so well, but i need to go
Kevin M.G.
I work at a movie theatre and this song started playing during an intermission. Forever grateful for it đź’™
marieke liebe
Kevin M.G. Whaaaat?? Whoever played that is my favorite
Sam Feinberg
Easily the most "fun" Big Thief song, though I love the band so don't take that as a slight. I just recently got into the group (thus have never seen them live) and looking through their set-lists, I'm shocked they don't play this song, period. I suppose it's a technically tricky song to pull off with the quick transfer between fours and twos but it's got that surf rock sound that the lead guitarist and drummer just slay.
DeadButterfly
I love those guitar attacks!! Beautifully energetic and calming song
Hayley Winter
This album is my new obsession. I feel this song in my bones.
celia inside
i'm obsessedddd with this band
Gil Camus
¡Una maravilla!
Cielcia Kalon
The animals are wonderful
Such a vision in the sun, how they lay low
I catch my breath and count my dough
And i only live to run and i need to go
You and i were born with the same design
Nothing in the world will make you make your mind up oh me
She always knew, she'll always know
That i loved her oh so well, but i need to go
davidb
@Cielcia Kalon LMAO from four years ago too
Cielcia Kalon
Edward Samson HAHAHA bro I don’t even remember commenting this and yeah the middle part is off and near the end is off too oops 💀