An enigmatic electro-indie/alt-pop duo in the vein of Alt-J and Glass Anima… Read Full Bio ↴An enigmatic electro-indie/alt-pop duo in the vein of Alt-J and Glass Animals, Foreign Air began as a long-distance project between onetime members of bands including the Bear Romantic and U.S. Royalty. As Foreign Air, they released their debut single, "Free Animal," in late 2015.

Foreign Air is the creation of Jesse Clasen and Jacob Michael, who met in the late 2000s when their respective bands played on the same bill. They took interest in each other's talents and stayed in touch over the years. Hailing from North Carolina and Washington, D.C., respectively, the collaboration came to fruition in early 2015 after the pair, who were in between projects at the time, began trading ideas via Dropbox. The duo released their first single, "Free Animal," that November, followed by an EP, For the Light, in September 2016. A series of stand-alone singles arrived over the next few years, including 2017's "Lying" and 2019's "Wake Me Up."

Free Animal
Foreign Air Lyrics

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My heart beats in patterns to the broken sound
You're the only one that can calm me down
My head spins in circles so I'm dizzy now
All of this time I should've figured it out

I'm a free animal, free animal
I'm a free animal, free animal

Free animal, free animal
My heart beats in patterns to the broken sound
Free animal, free animal
You're the only one that can calm me down

You get what you came for, what you stayed for
I only know how to satisfy your craving
This is what you crave
Know what you're made of, what you're made of
Flesh and bones won't lie
They won't lie

Free animal, free animal
My heart beats in patterns to the broken sound
Free animal, free animal
You're the only one that can calm me down

I'm a free animal, free animal
I'm a free animal, free animal
I'm a free animal, free animal
You're the only one that can calm me down

Free animal, free animal
My heart beats in patterns to the broken sound
Free animal, free animal
You're the only one that can calm me down
Free animal, free animal

My heart beats in patterns to the broken sound
Free animal, free animal

Overall Meaning

The song "Free Animal" by Foreign Air is about the feeling of being lost or spinning out of control, and the search for someone who can ground you and bring you back to a sense of stability. The singer describes their heart beating to the sound of broken patterns, indicating an internal struggle, and feels dizzy and uncertain. They come to the realization that they are a "free animal," someone who cannot be contained or controlled easily. This sense of restlessness is juxtaposed with the need for calm and safety, and the one person who seems to be able to provide that is the one the singer is singing to.

The phrase "free animal" itself suggests a wild, untamed part of the singer that they are both proud of and afraid of. It could also be interpreted as a nod to the primal and instinctual nature of humanity, which cannot be fully suppressed no matter how hard we try. The idea that "flesh and bones won't lie" suggests that there is something fundamental and true about our physical selves that we need to pay attention to in order to understand ourselves.

Ultimately, the song is about the tension between our desire for freedom and our need for stability and love. The singer wants to be a "free animal," but they also need someone to calm them down and help them make sense of themselves.

Line by Line Meaning

My heart beats in patterns to the broken sound
My emotions are erratic and depend on the outside circumstances

You're the only one that can calm me down
You're my only source of emotional stability and rationality

My head spins in circles so I'm dizzy now
My thoughts are disorganized and overwhelming

All of this time I should've figured it out
I have taken too long to realize the truth and should have seen it earlier

I'm a free animal, free animal
I am impulsive and driven by passion and instinct

You get what you came for, what you stayed for
You know what you want and stick around to get it

I only know how to satisfy your craving
I am only capable of fulfilling your desires, not my own

Know what you're made of, what you're made of
Understand your inherent qualities and values

Flesh and bones won't lie
The core of your being cannot be faked or changed

You're the only one that can calm me down
You have a unique ability to help me gain emotional control