Caveman
Cursive/(Franimal) Lyrics

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I want to live life duty free
Let my instincts take the lead
I want to take what I can get
Don't want to choose don't want to beg
I want down from this family tree
I don't need no upward mobility

I want to unlearn what I've learned

Want to unearn what I've earned
Want to burn my bridges down
Find a place I can't be found
This is my manifesto destiny
Tear down this awkward mobility

Because I'm tired of standing upright
The taller we become the more dollars we can grab from that highest branch
And then step on your back given the chance
But not me I'm a bipedal backpedaler just as sure-footed as I can

I'm no high society man
No suit and tie, no Dapper Dan
I'm no happy family man
I'm no husband, ain't no dad
I'm a goddamn caveman
This upward mobility is more than I can understand

I won't stand, no, I won't stand for it
I won't stand, no, I won't stand for it
I won't stand, no, I won't stand for it

I'd rather be all hands and knees
Yeah, I'd rather be swinging in the trees

With the monkeys and the junkies and bums and sloths and jailbird canaries
Yeah that's me I'm a bipedal backpedaler from sea to shining sea

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cursive/(Franimal)'s song "Caveman" are a clear rejection of modern society and the expectations that come with it. The singer longs to live life without the pressure of duty, choosing instead to follow their instincts wherever they may lead. They reject the idea of upward mobility and the need for material possessions, describing it as "awkward mobility." The singer wants to unlearn what they have been taught and undo what they have earned, burning bridges and disappearing into obscurity.

The chorus of the song repeats "I won't stand for it," emphasizing the singer's refusal to conform to societal norms. They would rather be a "caveman," living simply and on their own terms. The reference to swinging in trees with monkeys and junkies is a nod to the freedom of the natural world.

This song can be interpreted as a call to escape the pressures of modern life and return to a simpler existence. The singer rejects the need for societal approval and instead embraces their primal instincts. It's a powerful statement against the idea that success is measured by wealth and status.

Line by Line Meaning

I want to live life duty free
I want to live without any obligations or responsibilities.

Let my instincts take the lead
I want to follow my gut feelings and intuition.

I want to take what I can get
I want to seize every opportunity available to me.

Don't want to choose don't want to beg
I don't want to have to pick between options or ask for handouts.

I want down from this family tree
I want to distance myself from my family's expectations and traditions.

I don't need no upward mobility
I don't crave status, wealth or power.

I want to unlearn what I've learned
I want to forget previous education or knowledge that is hindering/negative.

Want to unearn what I've earned
I want to give back any money or possessions that have tainted my values.

Want to burn my bridges down
I want to completely shut off any relationships that do not align with my beliefs.

Find a place I can't be found
I want to escape from the expectations and social norms of society.

This is my manifesto destiny
This is my mission statement and my purpose in life is to fulfill it.

Tear down this awkward mobility
Destroy this uncomfortable pursuit of status and power.

Because I'm tired of standing upright
I'm exhausted from striving to appear proper and civilized.

The taller we become the more dollars we can grab from that highest branch
The more power we have, the more money and resources we can control.

And then step on your back given the chance
We will use any means necessary to maintain our position, even if it means harming others.

But not me I'm a bipedal backpedaler just as sure-footed as I can
I will walk confidently away from this system and never look back.

I'm no high society man
I don't belong to the rich and powerful class of society.

No suit and tie, no Dapper Dan
I don't dress up in formal, fashionable clothes.

I'm no happy family man
I don't subscribe to the ideal of having a traditional and content family life.

I'm no husband, ain't no dad
I don't have any interest in being a husband or a father.

I'm a goddamn caveman
I'm a primitive, uncivilized person who rejects modernity.

This upward mobility is more than I can understand
My brain cannot comprehend the social and economic ladder that society is structured around.

I won't stand, no, I won't stand for it
I refuse to accept the values and expectations of society.

I'd rather be all hands and knees
I'd rather be crawling and scrabbling for survival than playing the social game.

Yeah, I'd rather be swinging in the trees
I'd rather be free and wild, living in the wilderness.

With the monkeys and the junkies and bums and sloths and jailbird canaries
With all the outcasts and rebels who reject societal norms.

Yeah that's me I'm a bipedal backpedaler from sea to shining sea
That's who I am, someone who walks backwards away from the 'American Dream'.

Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Matthew Ryan Maginn, Ted James Stevens, Tim Kasher

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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