After Take That split, Owen became the third of the band's ex-members to release a solo record. He reached number three in the UK Singles Chart with his debut single, Child. His second single, Clementine, also went to number three. In 1997 his album Green Man was released, charting at a number 33. After another single, I Am What I Am, charted at number 29, Owen was dropped by BMG Records in late 1997.
In 2002 Mark won the second series of Celebrity Big Brother. After being invited to perform on stage with Robbie Williams at Knebworth, he returned to the spotlight and signed a deal with Island/Universal Records. In August 2003, Owen returned to the charts with the Top 5 hit, Four Minute Warning, which remained in the Top 40 for eight weeks. His second album, In Your Own Time, was released in November 2003, entering the charts at number 59. After a second single, Alone Without You, charted at number 26, Owen was dropped by Island/Universal Records.
In April 2004 he established his own record company, Sedna Records. He released his third solo album, How the Mighty Fall in 2005, which was recorded at Sunset Studios, Los Angeles in 2004. In February 2006 he released Hail Mary as a single from the album.
In 2005 Mark rejoined the newly reformed Take That and has been enjoying chart success with them ever since. He still plans, however, to continue working on solo projects.
Animals
Mark Owen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me how your life will grow
Will you walk around in circles?
Looking for a place to go
There's a devil in the detail, looking down
Mama's gonna make you a paper crown
You know it has to happen but you don't know why
Shout it out (Shout it out)
We could be the animals
We could be the monsters now (Now)
And nobody's gonna take us out
Shout it out, waiting for the big Big Bang
Shout it out
We could be the animals
We could bring the whole place down (Down)
And the world is gonna know your name
Shout it out (Shout it out)
Monday, Monday, what's your story?
Write your headline while you can
Bell's of holy, days of glory
Did you ever lay a plan?
There's a battle of selection going on
Daddy's gonna buy you the morning sun
And we'll all be looking pretty in a bright white light
So I guess it's just a matter of death and life, so
Shout it out (Shout it out)
We could be the animals
We could be the monsters now (Now)
And nobody's gonna take us out
Shout it out, waiting for the big Big Bang
Shout it out
We could be the animals
We could bring the whole place down (Down)
And the world is gonna know your name
Shout it out (Shout it out)
Fan fairs, tearing up the pavement
Spiders, spinning the horizon
Fireworks burning up the naked sky
Fly, all the people in your sky
Shout it out (Shout it out)
We could be the animals
We could be the monsters now (Now)
And nobody's gonna take us out
Shout it out, waiting for the big Big Bang
Shout it out
We could be the animals
We could bring the whole place down (Down)
And the world is gonna know your name
Shout it out, shout it out
The song "Animals" by Mark Owen seems to be a call for people to break out of their ordinary lives and strive for something greater. The lyrics speak of Mondays and the mundane routines of life; of a devil in the details and battles of selection. Despite this, there is hope in the chorus - a call to shout out and become animals, monsters who will not be taken out. There is a sense of urgency, of waiting for the big bang, and a desire to bring the whole place down. The imagery used in the song is powerful - bells of holy days of glory, fireworks burning up the sky, and all the people in your sky. It's a song about pushing boundaries and making a mark on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Monday, Monday, ordinary
Starting off the week, everything seems like it will be as usual.
Tell me how your life will grow
Asking someone how they see themselves progressing in life.
Will you walk around in circles?
Questioning if their progress will be stagnant or if they will achieve their goals.
Looking for a place to go
Wondering if there is a path to their future.
There's a devil in the detail, looking down
There is always a catch or a negative aspect to any situation.
Mama's gonna make you a paper crown
Someone close to the person is going to make them feel special in a materialistic way.
You know it has to happen but you don't know why
Sometimes things have to occur, but even the person going through it doesn't understand it.
So you're gonna give the medication one more try, and
Sometimes people try to fix their problems with temporary solutions, even when it won't work.
Shout it out (Shout it out)
Encouraging someone to speak their mind or to be heard.
We could be the animals
Suggesting that people can be wild or free in their lives.
We could be the monsters now (Now)
People can be powerful and unstoppable.
And nobody's gonna take us out
No one will defeat or impede them.
Waiting for the big Big Bang
Anticipating something important and exciting to happen in their lives.
We could bring the whole place down (Down)
The power that they feel can make them destroy everything around them.
And the world is gonna know your name
Asserting the idea that they will leave their mark on the world to be remembered.
Monday, Monday, what's your story?
Starting the week again wondering what their fate is.
Write your headline while you can
Create a story or legacy of yourself because one day they won't be able to anymore.
Bell's of holy, days of glory
Thinking about grand things in life, such as success or fame.
Did you ever lay a plan?
Questioning if they have goals set in place or a plan to achieve their aspirations.
There's a battle of selection going on
The competition in life to succeed can be fierce.
Daddy's gonna buy you the morning sun
A father figure is going to help them achieve success in life.
And we'll all be looking pretty in a bright white light
When they achieve their goals, everyone will be proud and show it off.
So I guess it's just a matter of death and life, so
Suggesting that achieving success in life is a matter of extreme importance.
Fan fairs, tearing up the pavement
People showing off their success or fame in grand ways.
Spiders, spinning the horizon
The ambitious dreams and goals that individuals set can often be complex and intricate.
Fireworks burning up the naked sky
Celebratory expressions of happiness and success.
Fly, all the people in your sky
Urging others to live their dreams and goals like they are flying.
Shout it out
Reiterating to speak up and be heard.
Writer(s): Mark Anthony Owen, Jamie Norton, Benjamin Weaver Copyright: Emi Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Mgb Ltd.
Contributed by Owen W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.