I'm mad...and that's a fact
I found out...animals don't help
Animal think...they're pretty smart
Shit on the ground...see in the dark.

They wander around like a crazy dog
Make a mistake in the parking lot
Always bumping into things
Always let you down down down down.

They're never there when you need them
They never come when you call them
They're never there when you need them
The never come when you call them down down down down.

I know the animals...are laughing at us
They don't even know...what a joke is
I won't follow...animal's advice
I don't care...if they're laughing at us.

They're never there when you need them
They never come when you call them
They're never there when you need them
The never come when you call them down down down down.

They say they don't need money
They're living on nuts and berries
They say animals don't worry
You know animals are hairy?
They think they know what's best
They're making a fool of us
They ought to be more careful
They're setting a bad example
They have untroubled lives
They think everything's nice
They like to laugh at people
They're setting a bad example
(go ahead) laugh at me.


Lyrics submitted by Chris_Gough, edited by PairOFish

Animals Lyrics as written by David Byrne

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Animals song meanings
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    Song Meaning

    The whole album is about fear as noted in the title. I think the whole thing is hilarious and if you take it too seriously it's disturbing.

    SanjuroSeaCowon July 12, 2009   Link

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