VHS's three core members have played music together for most of their lives. James Bohannon and Conor Cook went to middle school together in New York City, while James went to high school with Nils Vanderlip where they started their first band.
In 2015 VHS formed, based initially around home recordings which the band posted on Soundcloud. VHS began performing around NYC's lower east side rock clubs, eventually selling out several shows at the Mercury Lounge that year. In 2015, they released their debut EP whose lead single "Lean" rose to #8 on the Spotify Viral charts. In 2016, VHS released Stereo Hype, which included the indie hit “Waiting on the Summer." VHS performed at major festivals that year including Lollapalooza and ACL. The band continued to release singles and tour leading up to the release of their debut LP Retrofuturism in November 2018. VHS's songs have also been featured in Shameless, Sunday Night Football, Love, You, and dozens of other TV shows.
Animal
Vhs Collection Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's coming for us now
There's nowhere left to run
There's no secret
An animal and I don't wanna let you go
An animal
So let go and breathe inThe neon jungle, I can taste it on your skin
My heart is beating
Hold me closer, I will never let you go
Animal and I will never let you go
Animal
Save me now, I just want it all right now
I just can't control myself, I'm an animal
All I know is I need you
Save me now, I just want it all right now
I just can't control myself, I'm an animal
All I know is I need you
Come down from the ceiling
Lights are falling and the walls are caving in
Sun down and dreaming
Animal, I will never let you go
Animal, I will never let you go
Save me now, I just want it all right now
I just can't control myself, I'm an animal
All I know is I need you
Save me now, I just want it all right now
I just can't control myself, I'm an animal
All I know is I need you
We stand in the glow of the sky
Yeah, I know that I need you
We ran for the dark of the night
Oh yeah, I know that I need you
It's one I can tell of a line
Yeah, I know that I need you
Oh yeah, I know that I need you
The lyrics to Vhs Collection's song "Animal" appear to describe a sense of urgency and desperation. The first two lines set this tone: "Oh no, I can see it / It's coming for us now." The singer seems to be in danger, with nowhere left to run. However, throughout the song, the main focus is on the bond between the singer and someone they refer to as "animal." There is a sense that this relationship is wild and intense, with the singer comparing themselves to an animal and struggling to control themselves. But despite this intensity, they are committed to the other person and will never let them go.
The chorus emphasizes this commitment and need, with the repetition of "Animal, I will never let you go" and "All I know is I need you." The verses provide more specific details, with mentions of the "neon jungle" and the idea of being "saved." The bridge section, which includes the lines "We stand in the glow of the sky" and "We ran for the dark of the night," paints a vivid picture of two people together, facing a dangerous world but knowing they need each other to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh no, I can see it
The singer is fearful and aware of the danger approaching.
It's coming for us now
The danger is quickly approaching and cannot be avoided.
There's nowhere left to run
The singer is cornered and has no escape route.
There's no secret
There is no hidden solution or way out of the situation.
An animal and I don't wanna let you go
The artist and their partner are in danger and determined to stay together.
So let go and breathe in
The singer is urging their partner to relax and take in their surroundings.
The neon jungle, I can taste it on your skin
The environment around them is intense and palpable, and the singer can sense it on their partner's skin.
My heart is beating
The artist is nervous and scared, but also possibly excited.
Hold me closer, I will never let you go
The artist is holding onto their partner tightly and promising to never leave their side.
Animal and I will never let you go
The artist and their partner are in danger and they intend to face it together.
Save me now, I just want it all right now
The singer is in desperate need of help and wants immediate action.
I just can't control myself, I'm an animal
The artist is overwhelmed with fear and urgency, feeling like an uncontrollable animal.
All I know is I need you
The singer is aware of their strong emotional bond with their partner and their need for them in this situation.
Come down from the ceiling
The singer is urging their partner to come back to reality and focus on the situation at hand.
Lights are falling and the walls are caving in
The environment is becoming more dangerous and unstable, causing the singer to feel more urgency.
Sun down and dreaming
The day is over, and the artist is becoming more tired and possibly even resigned to their fate.
Animal, I will never let you go
The artist is repeating their promise to their partner to never leave their side in the face of danger.
We stand in the glow of the sky
They are standing outside, under the stars and the moon.
Yeah, I know that I need you
The singer is reassuring their partner that they are important and necessary to them, reaffirming their strong bond.
We ran for the dark of the night
They have been running away from danger, trying to find safety in the darkness.
It's one I can tell of a line
The meaning of this line is unclear and could be interpreted in a variety of ways.
Oh yeah, I know that I need you
The artist is once again reiterating their need for their partner in this dangerous situation.
Contributed by Vivian V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@purplestardust
I am so glad I discovered you all!! I love your retro 80s aesthetic in your music. It was earlier tonight that I saw this song on the new releases playlist of Spotify. I went to your profile and I became a fan. Can’t wait till more people discover you. Looking forward to more music!
@bf2forever
Im sure VHS will become big one day. <3
@faucetpictures1724
bf2forever I hope
@AnilKumar-qj3uk
??
@dannserv
Man, this is beyond!! The music that starts at 2:15 is so amazing! When I see you do this live, I'm gonna be dancing like a crazy person when that kicks in.
@Pimox
I love this
Edit: I love too much this song
@2e3crescens
Sick drumming man
@user-je9mw1ns3l
You deserve like 9 billion more followers than you have. I love your stuff!
@evgeniamiller5785
I think the very first song I ever heard by you guys was Lean, and I ended up putting that on repeat. And then I found Waiting on The Summer and The Longest Drive and I was hooked. I love the unique feel you guys have to your music, keep it up!! I'm so surprised you're not big yet (as is literally everyone in this comment section)
@davidhidayat2392
Debuted in my weekly personal indie chart on June 17, 2018 edition :)