The band was formed in 2005 by Philippakis and Bevan, both former members of math rock band The Edmund Fitzgerald, and Andrew Mears of Youthmovies. Mears left the band after their first single to focus on Youthmovies. In January 2018, it was announced that Walter Gervers was also leaving the band.
In early 2007, the band released the limited edition 7" singles Hummer and Mathletics, both produced by Gareth Parton. In the summer of 2007 Foals began working on their debut album in New York. It was produced by Dave Sitek of TV On The Radio, however, the band decided to mix the album themselves, stating that Sitek made the first master copy of the album sound like "it was recorded in the Grand Canyon". Yannis has stated multiple times during various interviews that Foals and Dave Sitek are on good terms, even though the copy by Sitek was rejected by the band.
Foals released their debut album, entitled Antidotes, on 24 March 2008 in the UK and 8 April 2008 in the US. The album was a commercial success in the United Kingdom, debuting at No. 3 in the UK Albums Charts. The album was a minor success in other countries, charting in Japan, France and the Netherlands. Non-UK versions of the album include the early Parton produced singles.
In August 2009, Foals started recording their second album at Svenska Grammofon Studion in Gothenburg, Sweden. The album, Total Life Forever, has been described by the band members as sounding like "tropical prog" and "like the dream of an eagle dying". The band have described the album as being "a lot less funk" than they had originally planned. The album was produced by Luke Smith, formerly of Clor, and its title is named after an element of Ray Kurzweil's theory of singularity. The band's frontman Yannis Philippakis has professed a long time interest in futurology, with it informing numerous songs on Total Life Forever.
On 1 March 2010, the promotional single "Spanish Sahara" was first played on Zane Lowe's show Radio 1. Foals' new website was updated that night with the release of a video for the track directed by longtime collaborator Dave Ma. On 6 March, the Total Life Forever site was officially launched. Puzzles revealed images, lyrics and sound clips of songs from the album. The last clip appeared on 12 March, and resulted with a password entry for the Foals' new website. The site was opened on 13 March and presented the whole new art concept and media including samples of songs, photos and videos. Lead single "This Orient" was released on 3 May 2010. The album was finally released on 10 May 2010. "Spanish Sahara" was later released as a full physical single in September 2010, featuring an edited remix starring the strings of London Contemporary Orchestra. The album was nominated for the 2010 Mercury Prize.
http://foals.co.uk
Providence
Foals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh I'll bleed just a little bit too, oh I'll bleed just like you
I know I cannot be true, I'll bleed just a little bit too
Oh I'm just like you, I'm just an animal just like you
I know I cannot be true, I'm an animal just like you
Oh I'll bleed just a little bit too, I bleed just like you
I know I cannot be true, I bleed just like you
I bleed just like you, oh I know I cannot be true
I bleed just like you, I bleed just like you
I know just what to do, I'm an animal just like you
Oh Lord, what can I do? Oh Lord, please help me through
I'm an animal just like you, I know just what I do?
Oh Lord, what can I do? Oh Lord, what can I do?
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
The lyrics of “Providence” by Foals are about the wild and untamed nature of human beings. The first two lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the track, as it emphasizes how humans are no different from animals. Singer Yannis Philippakis repeats the line “I'm an animal just like you” throughout the song, showcasing the primal instincts that lie within everyone.
The chorus sees Philippakis singing about how he bleeds just like everyone else. This again emphasizes the notion that humans, despite their perceived superiority, are still subject to the same weaknesses as animals. The repetition of certain lines in the chorus also adds to the idea that the beastly nature of humans is ingrained, and possibly uncontrollable.
The last two lines of the song feature a desperate plea for help. “Oh Lord, what can I do? Oh Lord, what can I do?” Philippakis is left searching for a solution or means of control over his animalistic tendencies. Overall, the song suggests that humanity's connection to the natural world can never truly be severed, and that we must accept our primal instincts and work to keep them in check.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I cannot be true, I'm an animal just like you
Despite wanting to be true to oneself, one realizes they have animalistic tendencies just like everyone else.
Oh I'll bleed just a little bit too, oh I'll bleed just like you
One is vulnerable and susceptible to pain just like anyone else.
Oh I'm just like you, I'm just an animal just like you
One recognizes their similarities to others, acknowledging their own animalistic nature.
I know I cannot be true, I'll bleed just a little bit too
Despite internal struggles, one is aware of their own vulnerabilities and pain experienced like others.
I bleed just like you, oh I know I cannot be true
Similar to others, one experiences pain and admits to not being always true to oneself.
I'll bleed just a little bit too, I know just what I do?
Acknowledging their own vulnerability, one questions if they know how to handle it.
I bleed just like you, I bleed just like you
One has the same human experience as others, including pain and suffering.
I know just what to do, I'm an animal just like you
With the same instincts and impulses as others, one understands their reactions to situations.
Oh Lord, what can I do? Oh Lord, please help me through
In desperation, one seeks help and guidance for their animalistic tendencies and struggles.
I'm an animal just like you, I know just what I do?
Acknowledging their commonality with others, one questions their actions fueled by primal impulses.
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
Reiterating their shared human experience, one emphasizes their animalistic nature.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES SMITH, EDWIN CONGREAVE, JACK BEVAN, WALTER GERVERS, YANNIS PHILIPPAKIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
アレくシス
I know I cannot be true, I'm an animal just like you
Oh I'll bleed just a little bit too, oh I'll bleed just like you
I know I cannot be true, I'll bleed just a little bit too
Oh I'm just like you, I'm just an animal just like you
I know I cannot be true I'm an animal just like you
Oh I'll bleed just a little bit too, I bleed just like you
I know I cannot be true, I bleed just like you
I bleed just like you, oh I know I cannot be true
I'll bleed just a little bit too, I know just what I do?
I bleed just like you, I bleed just like you
I know just what to do, I'm an animal just like you
Oh Lord, what can I do? Oh Lord, please help me through
I'm an animal just like you, I know just what I do?
Oh Lord, what can I do? Oh Lord, what can I do?
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
I'm an animal just like you, I'm an animal just like you
Djailson Felipe
MY GOD. This song live must be an experience out of this world.
Sebastian Varas
Reading&Leeds
Andrea West
It is!
naefukabootio
So good. An absolute monster live.
honigdaemon
I would give anything to see them😭
kabisia
I had that pleasure to heard Foals live last Sunday. Amazing energy! 🤘
Katrina Gamba
Absolute monster in the mosh pit 💫
Richard James
Biblical ✌️
bigwille11
The band is damn spectacular hurry and make more music please🥁🎤🎹🎸
GanonMK8DX
This song deserve way more attention