Their debut single, Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants backed with The Old Dog was released on Bad Sneakers Records on 20th November 2006. Their second single Through Dark Night backed with Please, Sir was released 23rd April as their last single on Bad Sneakers. In February 2007 the band signed to Domino Records. A debut album Limbo, Panto was released in the UK on June 16 2008 with strong critical endorsement. Their second album, Two Dancers, was released on 3 August 2009 to widespread critical acclaim, receiving 9/10 reviews from NME and Drowned in Sound. It was also ranked at #41 on NME's top 100 albums of the decade. Their third album, Smother was released on May 9, 2011.
The four boys of Wild Beasts aren’t concerned with being of the modern or being of the renaissance, being baggy pantsed or being tight pantsed, being in a scene or being in a place. Wild Beasts’ music just is.
On 25 September 2017, the band announced that they were disbanding, playing their final gig on 17 February 2018.
The Old Dog
Wild Beasts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shifting good time drugs and...
A human is hauled
From the wombs
Wired jaw.
We are liberal
We are civil
And
Life is futile
Darling I regret there's
Life in the old dog yet
The lyrics of The Old Dog by Wild Beasts present a somewhat bleak picture of life that revolves around casual sex, hard drugs, and violence. The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer is engaging in a risky sexual encounter with a thug, which is followed by indulging in drug use. Later, the lyrics take a dark turn when they mention a human being pulled out of the womb with a wired jaw, which could be interpreted as a reference to someone who has suffered a severe injury or may have been born with disabilities. These lines highlight the harshness and brutality of life, particularly for those who are vulnerable and marginalized.
However, the lyrics also seem to criticize the self-indulgent lifestyles of today's society, which emphasizes instant gratification and the pursuit of pleasure. The lines "We are liberal and we are civil, and life is futile" suggest that even in a world so focused on individualism and freedom, the overall meaning and purpose of life remain elusive. The final lines of the song, "Darling I regret there's life in the old dog yet," could be interpreted as a lament for the world's aging population and a reminder that life is fleeting and should be appreciated while it lasts.
Line by Line Meaning
Casual sex with a hard up thug
Engaging in indiscriminate sexual activity with a destitute criminal.
Shifting good time drugs and...
Distributing drugs for recreational use and...
A human is hauled
An individual is forcibly taken into custody
From the wombs
Presumably, from the comfort and safety of their mother's womb.
Wired jaw.
Having one's jaw wired shut as a result of a medical condition or injury.
We are liberal
We hold progressive opinions and values
And
Additionally,
We are civil
We interact with others in a respectful, polite manner.
And
In addition to that,
Life is futile
The existence of human life is ultimately meaningless and lacks purpose.
Darling I regret there's
My dear, I am sorry to say that there is
Life in the old dog yet
Despite its age, the old dog is still alive and kicking.
Contributed by Benjamin E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.