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.
What Am I Living For
Eric Burdon & The Animals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What am I living for if not for you?
Well, what am I living for if not for you?
Baby, Baby, nobody else, nobody else will do.
Well, what am I longing for each lonely night?
To feel you lips close to mine and hold you tight.
Well, you'll be my only love my whole life through.
Well, I want you close to me
That's all I know.
And I want you all the time
'Cause darling I love you so.
Well, what am I living for if not for you?
What am I living for if not for you?
Well, what am I living for if not for you?
Baby, Baby, nobody else, nobody else will do.
The lyrics of Eric Burdon & The Animals' song What Am I Living For express a deep devotion and love towards another person. The singer asks a series of rhetorical questions to emphasize that without the other person, life would have no purpose, and no one else could ever take their place. The repetition in the chorus reinforces this sentiment, hammering home that this person is the only true love and companion for the singer.
The lyrics also convey a sense of longing and desire for physical closeness and intimacy, with phrases like "feel your lips close to mine and hold you tight." It's clear that the singer is entirely focused on this other person, and their presence is what gives their life meaning.
This song encapsulates the intense emotion of being in love, and the fear of losing that love. It communicates a deep need for another person, and the ways in which they complete and fulfill the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, what am I living for if not for you?
I have no reason to live if it's not for you. You are the only thing that brings meaning to my life.
What am I living for if not for you?
I can't imagine going through life without you. You are everything to me.
Baby, Baby, nobody else, nobody else will do.
I only want you. No one else can replace the love and happiness that you bring to my life.
Well, what am I longing for each lonely night?
Every night I dream of being close to you, feeling your touch and holding you tight. It's the only thing that can ease my loneliness.
To feel your lips close to mine and hold you tight.
The only thing I want is to be near you, to kiss you and hold you in my arms.
Well, you'll be my only love my whole life through.
I know without a doubt that you are the only person I'll ever love. My love for you will never die.
Well, I want you close to me. That's all I know.
I don't know much, but I do know that I need you close to me. I can't imagine life without you.
And I want you all the time 'cause darling I love you so.
I want you with me every moment of the day, because I love you so much. You are everything to me.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRED JACOBSON, ART HARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind