Raised under the wet and grey Belgian skies, much of Lorenzo Cook’s upbring… Read Full Bio ↴Raised under the wet and grey Belgian skies, much of Lorenzo Cook’s upbringing was spent an ocean away from where his passport said he was from. Growing up as an American expat in the heart of Europe, Lorenzo was introduced to a world of music that would otherwise have never met his ears by a wide range of international friends and musicians whom he spent most of teenage years with. His parents, well versed in music and keen to play NPR’s All Songs Considered at the dinner table, helped Cook’s appreciation and fascination with American music grow as well.
Upon turning 18 and moving out to Syracuse, NY to pursue his academics, Cook was met with a vibrant local music scene the likes of which he had never felt in Brussels. A home found in basement shows and the will to not only make music, but be part of a new and exciting culture of ‘do it yourself’ diligence.

After two years, and two bedroom-recorded albums under the name Spark Alaska, it was time to break out of the quiet and comfortable shell Cook had made for himself.

Equipped with an old Peavey guitar, a microphone that had never been yelled into before, and a handful of musician friends to take over for Lorenzo’s inept rhythmic abilities, Petite League was born. It was the snotty, noisey music that Cook had always wanted to make.

Zookeeper
Petite League Lyrics

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I'm a kid with a leash in the zoo
You don't wanna bite me cause I'm gonna bite you
I'm gonna bite you
No amount of therapy could kill me
And I don't want to be be cured if I can't be free
Yeah

No saints in the animal kingdom

And no saints for me

Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my
And pearly white claws and fangs
They tear through flesh and bone, through flesh and bone
Mama asked if I was raised by wolves and the answer is sadly no
Cause I'm not free
Yeah

No Gods in the animal kingdom
And no Gods for me

Overall Meaning

The song "Zookeeper" by Petite League is a bold and introspective exploration of humanity's animalistic instincts and the brutal reality that often underlies social norms in human societies. The lyrics of the song describe the singer as a kid being led on a leash in a zoo, suggesting a sense of confinement and powerlessness. The line "You don't wanna bite me cause I'm gonna bite you" highlights the way these primal instincts can lurk beneath the surface of our social interactions. The singer goes on to assert that they cannot be tamed or cured, and that they'd rather be free than sanitized by therapy.

The second half of the song compares humans to wild animals, with the repeated refrain that "No saints/Gods in the animal kingdom/And no saints/Gods for me". The use of the phrase "animal kingdom" suggests a hierarchy of power and violence that humans are not exempt from, and that our sense of morality is often constructed in opposition to. The imagery of lions, tigers, and bears with their "pearly white claws and fangs" tearing through flesh and bone underscores the idea that these instincts are not always restrained by the veneer of civilization. The singer's lament that they were not raised by wolves highlights the paradox of trying to deny our animal nature while simultaneously feeling trapped by social conventions. Overall, this song is a haunting reminder that humanity's veneer of civilization is often a fragile and illusory construct that can be shattered at any moment.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm a kid with a leash in the zoo
I am trapped in this zoo and I don't have any freedom.

You don't wanna bite me cause I'm gonna bite you
If anyone tries to harm me, I will retaliate.

I'm gonna bite you
I am fiercely protective of myself and will fight back if necessary.

No amount of therapy could kill me
I am who I am, and nothing can change that.

And I don't want to be be cured if I can't be free
If the price of freedom is being 'fixed,' then I'd rather remain as I am.

No saints in the animal kingdom
Animals are not held to human moral standards.

And no saints for me
I too am not perfect and therefore cannot be considered a saint.

Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my
This zoo is full of dangerous animals.

And pearly white claws and fangs
These wild creatures are equipped with weapons to defend themselves.

They tear through flesh and bone, through flesh and bone
These animals are capable of causing great harm.

Mama asked if I was raised by wolves and the answer is sadly no
I was never given the opportunity to learn to fend for myself.