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.
Underbelly
Wild Beasts Lyrics
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How the make up make her face pretty.
Oh how we have an underbelly,
Bitten by brutality.
How there's guts fried up.
How Lothario leers at slut.
Bitten by brutality.
And how in our first and last years we are the most needy,
Least greedy,
Most grateful,
Least hateful.
How die as deeply doe-eyed as we start.
The opening lines of Wild Beasts's song "Underbelly" touch on the contrast between the sacred and profane, the beauty and the ugliness of life. The image of the prayer rubbing the rosary speaks to the spiritual nature of prayer and devotion, while the make-up making her face pretty highlights the superficiality of societal beauty standards. These lines set the tone for the rest of the song where the underbelly of humanity is explored, and its violent, needy, and greedy nature is laid bare.
The verses that follow are a commentary on the duality of human emotions and experiences. The lines "Bitten by brutality" and "How there's guts fried up" paint a picture of the violence that exists within the underbelly of society. Meanwhile, the observation of "Lothario leers at slut" speaks to the objectification and commodification of women's bodies. The chorus repeats the opening lines and drives home the idea of the underbelly, emphasizing how we all have this darker side, this shadow self that we keep hidden.
The final lines bring the song to a more somber conclusion. The realization that in our first and last years, we are the most needy and the least greedy, the most grateful and the least hateful is a somber reminder that life is fleeting and that we should strive to make the most of it. The final line, "How die as deeply doe-eyed as we start," is a poignant call to embrace life with the same innocence and openness as we did when we first entered this world.
Line by Line Meaning
How the prayer rubs the rosary.
The act of rubbing a rosary while praying is observed.
How the make up make her face pretty.
The effectiveness of makeup in enhancing her beauty is noted.
Oh how we have an underbelly,
The existence of a hidden, vulnerable side to us is acknowledged.
Bitten by brutality.
This vulnerable side has been harmed by cruel treatment.
How there's guts fried up.
The unpleasant reality of cooking and consuming internal organs is observed.
How Lothario leers at slut.
The sleazy behavior of a Lothario towards a woman is recognized.
And how in our first and last years we are the most needy,
It is noted that in the beginning and end of our lives, we require the most care and support.
Least greedy,
At these times, we have little desire for material possessions or wealth.
Most grateful,
Instead, we are filled with gratitude for the things we do have.
Least hateful.
We also tend to have less animosity towards others during these times.
How die as deeply doe-eyed as we start.
The idea that we pass away with the same sense of innocence and wonder as we are born with is mentioned.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jorge Abner Drexler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind