The American release of Ellie Goulding’s debut album, Lights, features a co… Read Full Bio ↴The American release of Ellie Goulding’s debut album, Lights, features a couple of songs that weren’t on the original UK release of the set: this track and “Human”. They replaced “I’ll Hold My Breath” and “Wish I’d Stayed,” which were omitted from the repacked US version.

Goulding told Chart Rigger:

“It was kind of tough, but it was my decision. I feel like I’ve grown out of them slightly because I wrote them so long ago. ‘Wish I’d Stayed’ will always be very special to me because that was one of the very first songs I wrote, when I was just really free-writing. I just prefer ‘Animal’ and ‘Human.’ They’re an example of how I’ve progressed. And the reason I kept them for the repackage and not the next album is because I think I’m going to progress even more.“

Animal
Ellie Goulding Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've shown you all the places I'm dreaming of
I'll take you to the ocean, I'll bring the sun
We are seventeen, we have just begun
I have loved to fight for and then some
You are the one, the one, the one, the one,
The one, the one, the one, the one

Wake up in the morning, we're paralyzed

We'll fly into the garden like butterflies
There will be no blood and there will be no pain
I want to fall in love with you again, again,
Again, again, again, again, again, again
Again, again

You have stolen all my senses
There's a fever in my heart
And you are taking my defenses
You are pulling me apart
Forever we are and we are dying
And we still be standing on our ground
So I will take away my feeling
I will be an animal
An animal

I'll tie you in my arms, I will smother you
We'll tell each other lies, I will tell the truth
I'll color in the sky, and I'll color you
I want to join your skin again, again,
Again, again, again, again, again, again
Again

You have stolen all my senses
There's a fever in my heart
And you are taking my defenses
You are pulling me apart
Forever we are and we are dying
And we still be standing on our ground
So I will take away my feeling
I will be an animal
An animal

We will run away from danger
We will run away

I-I-I-I-I will fight for

You have stolen all my senses
There's a fever in my heart
And you are taking my defenses
You are pulling me apart
Forever we are and we are dying
And we still be standing on our ground
So I will take away my feeling

I will be an animal
An animal

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ellie Goulding's song "Animal" are a passionate declaration of love that captures the intensity of a relationship in its early stages. The opening lines reveal the singer's romantic aspirations, promising to show her lover all the places she's dreaming of and bring them together in a shared experience. The reference to being seventeen suggests that the couple is young and their relationship is just getting started.

The chorus repeats the phrase "You are the one" as if to affirm the power that the significant other has over the singer. The second verse describes the couple waking up together, feeling paralyzed in each other's arms. They imagine themselves as butterflies flying into a garden, free from pain and suffering. The singer expresses her desire to fall in love with her partner again and again, suggesting that the passion is strong and will continue to endure.

The final verse takes a dark turn as the imagery becomes more violent. The singer talks about smothering her lover and telling them lies while still revealing the truth. She promises to color the sky and her partner's skin, wanting to be joined with them again and again. The repeated line "I will be an animal" suggests that the singer is willing to do anything to keep her lover and protect their relationship from harm.

Line by Line Meaning

I've shown you all the places I'm dreaming of
I've shared with you my deepest desires and aspirations

I'll take you to the ocean, I'll bring the sun
I'll show you the beauty of the world and make you happy

We are seventeen, we have just begun
We are young and full of potential, ready to experience life

I have loved to fight for and then some
I have a strong will and determination to pursue what I want

You are the one, the one, the one, the one, The one, the one, the one, the one
You are the most important person in my life, my everything

Wake up in the morning, we're paralyzed We'll fly into the garden like butterflies There will be no blood and there will be no pain I want to fall in love with you again, again, Again, again, again, again, again, again Again, again
We wake up feeling overwhelmed by love, like we're floating in a dream. We're in a painless and blissful state, and I want to keep experiencing this feeling over and over again.

You have stolen all my senses There's a fever in my heart And you are taking my defenses You are pulling me apart Forever we are and we are dying And we still be standing on our ground So I will take away my feeling I will be an animal An animal
You have completely captivated my heart and I'm unable to resist you. Though we may face challenges and hardships, we will never give up on each other. To fully embrace our love and passion, I will let go of all inhibitions and become like an animal.

I'll tie you in my arms, I will smother you We'll tell each other lies, I will tell the truth I'll color in the sky, and I'll color you I want to join your skin again, again, Again, again, again, again, again, again Again
I want to be completely intertwined with you and be upfront and honest about everything. I want to be the one to make your world colorful and bright. I want to feel close to you in every way possible, again and again.

We will run away from danger We will run away
We will escape any threat or danger together and never back down

I-I-I-I-I will fight for
I will put up a fight for what I believe in and what I love

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ELLIE GOULDING, FINLAY GRAHAM DOW SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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