It's a Jungle out There
Harry Nilsson Lyrics


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Nilsson

One day Tarzan said to Jane while they were walking through the garden
'One thing I must explain before we go much farther'
'I know you'd like a bright new dress with a bright new yellow linin'
'But every time you want on,e darlin', I got to fight a lion'.

And it's a jungle out there
It's a jungle out there
There ain't no way around it
At least I've never found it
It's a jungle out there
It's a jungle out there.

Way back in the city, where the city people smile
Whenever they need a new pair of shoes, they don't kill no crocodile
And when the nighttime falls around them, they stay in their hotels
But out here, darlin', when the night time comes, there's nothin' to do but yell.

'Cause it's a jungle out there
You better say a prayer
Even if they eat you
And eventually they will
It's a jungle out there, ooh, you know.

One day Tarzan said to Jane : 'I want to talk to you about the boy'
'He's been actin' very strange lately, he thinks a tool's a toy'
'Why only yesterday while I was out there fixin' up the vine'
'He said : 'Dad, I'm gonna take a swing' - but he grabbed a hold of my vine, ow.

It's a jungle out there
Hey, you better beware
There ain't no way around it
At least I've never found it
It's a jungle out there
It's a jungle out there.

Now the moral of this story is if you end up out there too
Think of all them snakes you might have snaken up on you
But on the other hand, my darlin', you don't have to care
'Cause no matter how far, no matter how long, no matter how cold or fair
High or low, up or down, it's still a jungle out there.

It's a jungle out there
It's a jungle out there
There ain't no way around it




At least I've never found it
'Cause it's a jungle out there.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Harry Nilsson's song "It's a Jungle out There" provide a humorous look at life in the jungle, as seen through the eyes of Tarzan and Jane. The first verse speaks to the challenges of everyday life in the jungle, with Tarzan explaining to Jane that even something as simple as getting a new dress requires a fight with a lion. This highlights the danger and unpredictability of life in the jungle.


The second verse provides a contrast between life in the city and life in the jungle, with city people having an easier existence and not having to worry about crocodiles or other wild animals. However, in the jungle, the nighttime brings with it a sense of vulnerability and danger that cannot be avoided.


The final verse addresses the challenges of parenting in the jungle, with Tarzan expressing concern about his son's behavior and referencing a humorous incident in which his son mistook a vine for a tool. Through these lyrics, Nilsson portrays the jungle as a chaotic and unpredictable place where even the most routine activities can involve danger and excitement.


Line by Line Meaning

One day Tarzan said to Jane while they were walking through the garden
Tarzan and Jane were taking a walk in the garden


'One thing I must explain before we go much farther'
Tarzan had a serious thing to tell Jane


'I know you'd like a bright new dress with a bright new yellow linin''
Jane likes to wear clothes with yellow lining


'But every time you want on,e darlin', I got to fight a lion'.
Tarzan has to face a lot of challenges to get the things Jane wants


And it's a jungle out there
The world is a dangerous place


It's a jungle out there
Danger lurks everywhere


There ain't no way around it
There's no avoiding the dangers of the world


At least I've never found it
Tarzan has never found a way to avoid danger


It's a jungle out there
The world is filled with danger


It's a jungle out there
The world is dangerous


Way back in the city, where the city people smile
The city is a happier and safer place


Whenever they need a new pair of shoes, they don't kill no crocodile
City folk don't have to fight for the basic necessities of life


And when the nighttime falls around them, they stay in their hotels
City people stay indoors when it's dark outside


But out here, darlin', when the night time comes, there's nothin' to do but yell
Outside the city, there are no safe places at night


'Cause it's a jungle out there
The world is dangerous


You better say a prayer
You should pray for safety


Even if they eat you
You might still be attacked and harmed


And eventually they will
It's only a matter of time before you face danger


It's a jungle out there, ooh, you know.
The world is dangerous, and we are all aware of it


One day Tarzan said to Jane : 'I want to talk to you about the boy'
Tarzan wanted to discuss their child with Jane


'He's been actin' very strange lately, he thinks a tool's a toy'
Their child has been behaving oddly and thinks tools are toys


'Why only yesterday while I was out there fixin' up the vine'
Tarzan was working on the vine yesterday


'He said : 'Dad, I'm gonna take a swing' - but he grabbed a hold of my vine, ow.
Their child tried to swing on the vine but grabbed onto Tarzan instead


Hey, you better beware
You should be careful


Now the moral of this story is if you end up out there too
The lesson of this story is if you find yourself outside of the city


Think of all them snakes you might have snaken up on you
Be aware of the dangers that may surprise you


But on the other hand, my darlin', you don't have to care
At the same time, you don't have to worry too much


'Cause no matter how far, no matter how long, no matter how cold or fair
Regardless of distance, time or condition


High or low, up or down, it's still a jungle out there.
The world is a dangerous place, no matter where you go


It's a jungle out there
The world is dangerous


It's a jungle out there
Danger lurks everywhere


There ain't no way around it
There's no avoiding the dangers of the world


At least I've never found it
Tarzan has never found a way to avoid danger


'Cause it's a jungle out there.
The world is filled with danger




Contributed by Evan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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