Like An Animal
Glove Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her body looks so thin and pink and small
Dropping eggs from nervous shaking hands
And swallowing her fingers as they fall
Two people dance on the edge
Three of us push them away
There's nowhere to go we're all in this
Fight her all you want you'll never win
Couldn't we just once leave her in bed
Let the dry air cut her happy throat
Hide her heart and lose her happy head
First I was a murderer then I was a saint
Now I live on stolen time twist and run like paint
Like an animal
Tuesday in the sun nothing could be worse
Not now not ever not anymore....
The song "Like an Animal" by Gloves is a dark and atmospheric exploration of the despair and isolation experienced by a young woman who appears to exist on the edges of society. The first verse describes her as living one mile in the air and having an appearance that is fragile and vulnerable. The imagery of her dropping eggs from nervous and shaking hands and swallowing her fingers highlights the character's anxiety and discomfort in her own skin. The second verse introduces two people dancing on the edge, perhaps alluding to a potential romantic relationship. However, the lyrics suggest that these two people are being pushed away by three others, and that they are all in the same situation of feeling lost and adrift.
The repeated refrain of "like an animal" adds to the sense of this character's isolation and alienation from society. The lyrics suggest that others are fighting against her, but she is resilient and will not be defeated. There is a sense of hopelessness and despair throughout the song, with the final lines suggesting that the character feels that nothing can ever be worse than what she is experiencing at the moment.
Overall, "Like an Animal" is a poignant and powerful song that captures the pain and struggles of a young woman who exists on the fringes of society. The lyrics are rich with imagery and emotion, and the haunting melody perfectly complements the mood of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
One mile in the air that's where she lives
She lives far away from reality and perhaps even sanity
Her body looks so thin and pink and small
She's frail and seems delicate as though she'll break easily
Dropping eggs from nervous shaking hands
She's anxious and can't do simple tasks without trembling
And swallowing her fingers as they fall
Her anxiety compels her to have self-destructive behaviors
Two people dance on the edge
Two people are in danger, testing their limits
Three of us push them away
Three people try to intervene and stop the risky behavior
There's nowhere to go we're all in this
Everyone is involved or affected by what's happening
But nothing can hurt us at all
They feel invincible and impervious to harm
Fight her all you want you'll never win
She's unbeatable and cannot be controlled
Couldn't we just once leave her in bed
It's best to let her stay in her isolated world
Let the dry air cut her happy throat
Allow her to feel the pain of the reality she's ignoring
Hide her heart and lose her happy head
Conceal emotions and escape into a dream world
First I was a murderer then I was a saint
The artist has been both good and bad, and now feels like they're living on borrowed time
Now I live on stolen time twist and run like paint
The artist lives recklessly, like a wild, untamed brush stroke on a canvas
Like an animal
The artist feels primal, like a creature rather than a human
Tuesday in the sun nothing could be worse
Even when things seem bright and happy, things can still be bad
Not now not ever not anymore....
The artist is closing the door on their past and moving forward with resolve
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: ROBERT JAMES SMITH, STEVEN SEVERIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carnivalimusic
Severin playing bass like Peter Hook. Awesome. ❤
@waz3128
That bass is more cure than the actual Cure
@stevepettit2064
i have this album still i bought it when it came out was only young then blue sunshine is a wonderful album they is so much to like on it very over looked.
@stevepettit2064
@Jeff Baker yeah you are right not the same kids that bought wham records for sure.
@PlazaMoon
Absolutely stunning song. Exhilarating. Reminds me of smoke filled bedrooms in 80's UK (my youth)
@HughKAyers
Oh, the alcoholic afternoons, when we sat in your room; they meant more to me than any living thing on Earth~
@zindi1138
same as my room in BC Canada..lol
@katiekatie5405
Meow
@04opocin
Released as a single in the UK in August 1983.
@ClassicTVMan1981X
I just wish Robert Smith and Steve Severin would go ahead and unlock the demos that had Smith (his vocals the way they were in '83) singing on this song and others.