Wolf
Sylvan Esso Lyrics

The modern wolf, he's kinder
The current predators have not lost their wiliness but have gained the art of using modern tactics to hunt their prey harmlessly.

But saying we, it's a reminder
Referring to the carnivorous animal as 'we' in the song is merely a reminder of the intense desires that linger for flesh amongst humans themselves.

Don't wear no suits, we're talking t-shirts
There is no need for a predator to display their prowess by dressing fancy. T-shirts are good enough for them.

See how he lies, makes women shiver
The tricks employed by the modern predator in making their prey succumb are so well-versed that even women feel intimidated and unnerved by their attempts.

Ahoo, Ahoo
This is a howl-like sound that symbolizes the bestial behavior of the modern wolf.

He ain't no dad, his voice is smoother
Modern predators differ from their predecessors in their way of offering prey no hints on their dangerousness by their voice, which is much smoother and slyer.

Been bending notes, just like his father
Having inherited the art of stalking, the modern wolf continues the legacy of the former generation by perfecting the art of bending notes to stay concealed while stalking.

But no birds nor beast does he eat
Unlike traditional wolves that subsist on animals alone, the modern urban wolf finds prey in humans, particularly vulnerable or unsuspecting targets.

He only wants the tenderest meat
The modern predator is observed to fed on those that are most easily exploitable and fragile in the society.

(And all the sounds he makes are speech
Suggestive of an anthropomorphic character of the modern wolf, he is noted to produce sound and speech on variant patterns, depending on his intended quarry.

Under all different patterns of sheets?)
The bed sheets might be a metaphorical reference to the various techniques adopted to lure prey, as opposed to any actual sheets.

(Call his blind dopamine?)
A line that requires particular context for interpretation, it seems to signify the act of arousing a prey's perception and manipulating their blind spots to ensnare them.

And she looked so good when they were last seen
Female prey is often observed at their best, in their unsuspecting state before they fall under the radar of the urban wolf.

The modern wolf, the modern wolf
The song repeats the phrase 'the modern wolf' to enforce the notion that the modern predator is a new breed, whose methods are unprecedented.

Drippin' in all the lies that he told
To underline his gory deeds, the modern wolf is shown to be 'drippin' with the blood of his innocent victims that he ensnares by virtue of his deceit.

He's going home, try to wash them off
The end of the hunt leaves the predator riddled with guilt, only for his attempts to wash off the blood to be in vain as the memory of his deeds is indelible in his mind.

But when he shaves, he hears them call
The haunting sounds of his prey continue to resound within the ears of the urban wolf even after the deed is done, ingraining the notion of culpability in his conscience.

Ahoo, Ahoo
The song ends with the line that symbolizes the primal, uncivilized side of the modern wolf that has been brought to light in the course of the song.