In 1967, lead singer Eric Burdon planned to make a solo career, but then he thought about "New Animals". He took Barry Jenkins (from The Nashville Teens and the last "Animals" line-up, drums), John Weider (later member of Family, violin, guitar), Danny McCulloch (bass) and Vic Briggs alias Antion (from The Echoes and The Steampacket, guitar, piano, vibes) and recorded the single When I Was Young which charted in USA #15 and in Australia #2.
For the gig at the Monterey Pop Festival they were officially named "Eric Burdon & The Animals" and they performed their next single San Franciscan Nights (USA #9, UK #7, Australia #4, Germany #17, Netherlands #6 and Canada #14).
After releasing the first album, Winds of Change, they recorded in 1968 three other albums.
After the second album, The Twain Shall Meet, which featured the hits Monterey and Sky Pilot, Zoot Money (piano, vocals) joined the band for the third album, Every One Of Us, which included the hit single White Houses.
In July 1968, the fourth and last album of the band, Love Is, was recorded. For this album, Vic Briggs and Danny McCulloch were fired and guitarist Andy Summers joined the band. John Weider went on bass.
For this album the songs Ring of Fire and River Deep Mountain High were recorded and released worldwide in 1969.
After Eric Burdon jammed with Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Miles and Lee Oskar at the Newport Festival, he formed the Latino/Funk/Soul/Gospel band Eric Burdon & War which had international success in 1970 and 1971 before they disbanded and Burdon began a solo career.
Danny McCulloch released a solo album, Wings of a Man, 1969, with Vic Briggs as producer. He also released a Animals reunion album in 1993.
John Weider in 1970 went to the band Family and released his first solo album in 1976 and the following in 1987, 1988 and 1990.
Vic Briggs changed his religion and now records under the name Antion. He also released a 64-minute track.
Barry Jenkins manages a guitar shop in California.
Zoot Money went on a solo career and released many albums through the years.
Andy Summers joined the successfull 70s and 80s band The Police and also released a few solo albums.
Animals
Eric Burdon & The Animals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm an animal
I'm an animal...here to blow your mind
I'm an animal...of the English kind
I'm an animal...gonna flip your wig
I'm an animal...behave just like a pig
I'm an animal
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
And I won't monkey 'round with you
I'm an animal...I'll eat your body and soul
I'm an animal...tune to rock and roll
I'm an animal...I'm a throroughbred
I'm an animal...going to give your head
I'm an animal...a woman is my prey
I'm an animal...eat both night and day
I'm an animal...I've got to satisfy
I'm an animal...never been known to lie
I'm an animal...animal life
I'm an animal...animalism
I'm an animal...human system, breath, flesh, flesh and blood
Physique, strength, power, vigor, force, spring, elasticity, tone and grace
Animal Kingdom, fumour, root, creation, animal creature, creature, being, living thing
Dumb animal, dumb friend, dumb creature, brute
I'm an animal...of the English kind
I'm an animal...going to blow your mind
I'm an animal...behave like a pig
I'm an animal...your gonna flip your wig
Oh, yeah
I'm an animal
Let me be your best friend
I'm an animal
Let me be your best friend
I'm an animal
Let me be your best friend
I'm an animal
Let me be your best friend
The lyrics of "Animals" by Eric Burdon & The Animals is a boastful declaration of being an animal, specifically the English kind, that is going to "blow your mind". The song conveys the wild and untamed nature of the animal, with lyrics like "I'm a thoroughbred", "gonna flip your wig", and "behave just like a pig". The singer asserts that he will consume the body and soul of his prey, likening himself to a predator in the animal kingdom. While his behavior may seem barbaric, he also offers to be the listener's best friend, promising not to "monkey 'round with you".
The song is a celebration of the primal and instinctual nature within all of us, urging the listener to embrace their animalistic side. The repeated chorus, "I'm an animal, let me be your best friend", suggests that we should not only accept but also befriend our inner beast. The lyrics also reflect the rebellious spirit of the 60s counterculture movement, rejecting the constraints of social norms and conventions.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm an animal
I am a powerful, instinctive being
I'm an animal...here to blow your mind
I am here to impress and shock you
I'm an animal...of the English kind
I am a proud representative of my country
I'm an animal...gonna flip your wig
I am going to surprise and amaze you
I'm an animal...behave just like a pig
I may act wild and uninhibited
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Listen up! Pay attention!
Let me be your best friend
Allow me to be close to you and protect you
And I won't monkey 'round with you
I promise not to play tricks or deceive you
I'm an animal...I'll eat your body and soul
I am a passionate lover and will leave no part of you untouched
I'm an animal...tune to rock and roll
I am energized by music with a beat
I'm an animal...I'm a thoroughbred
I am of superior quality and breed
I'm an animal...going to give your head
I will engage you intellectually and romantically
I'm an animal...a woman is my prey
I am a hunter who seeks out and pursues women
I'm an animal...eat both night and day
I have an insatiable hunger and desire
I'm an animal...I've got to satisfy
I am driven to fulfill my needs and desires
I'm an animal...never been known to lie
I am honest and straightforward
I'm an animal...animal life
I embody the rawness and vitality of life
I'm an animal...animalism
I embrace my primal nature and instincts
I'm an animal...human system, breath, flesh, flesh and blood
I am part of the intricate web of human existence, with all its physicality and emotionality
Physique, strength, power, vigor, force, spring, elasticity, tone and grace
These are the qualities that make me a magnificent animal
Animal Kingdom, humor, root, creation, animal creature, creature, being, living thing
These are the concepts that define and connect all of us animals
Dumb animal, dumb friend, dumb creature, brute
I reject these labels that deny my complexity and intelligence
I'm an animal...going to blow your mind
I am going to amaze and impress you once again
Oh, yeah
Yeah, that's right
I'm an animal...Let me be your best friend
I am offering my loyalty and support to you once more
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SYLVESTER STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@WarriorsSon
Amazing.
Eric Burdon.
Talking about his father in WW2 flying planes.
Me thinking out my father fighting in Vietnam in the 60's
Me Watching this now.
We keep learning.
We keep making mistakes.
And every generation think theirs is the best.
@magusmagic4
♫♥JANUARY 29 - Remembering Eric Burdon & The Animals bass player DANNY McCULLOCH, singer, songwriter and ace bass player who left us January 29, 2015.
Rest In Peace, dear Danny.🌹
@shannonfox3351
Still listening to Eric Burdon and the Animals in 2024❤
@sharonmullins1957
me too!
@LindaSafley-xz2sb
Really real down to Earth thanks Animals
@waderoten5584
I'm 67 I've heard em all, and I've come to the conclusion that the Animals are the best.
@waderoten5584
In my younger days I like most people thought the Beatles were the best. And as good as they were , I didn't appreciate how good the Animals were.
@waderoten5584
@Eric Burdon Curious, Mr. Burdon, what did the Animals and the Beatles think of each other?
@waderoten5584
Eric Burdone@41 Can not get enough of your amazing voice. Don't know why in my younger days , I didn't appreciate the Animals more. Oh well, never too old to learn.
@javierdejesusponce2632
Youre wrong
Bad Bunny is the Best singer of all time
Jajajajajajaja
F.u.c.k that shit
THE ANIMALS. forever
@johnkuthe1
I am 63 and love it!