R.E.M. – Animal

Hey what's the big deal?
Tell me how to feel?
I know where we boomeranged and fell from grace
Point me to the stars I'm up for the chase
I know where we fell on our face
Jump with me
You jump with me

Hey, what's the big deal?
I'm an animal
I'm an animal
I'm an animal

I don't want to boomerang
I don't want to cannonball
I'm not angling
I don't want to fall
Tell me I'm the anchor of my own ascension
Tell me I'm a tourist in the fourth dimension?

Hey, what's the big deal?
I'm an animal
I'm an animal
I'm an animal

Work it out

I am vibrating at the speed of light
Take my hand, we'll wind up the night
Spin me, win me, lift me, kiss me
Trip me, cuss me, bend me, trust me
Touch me now
You take my hand
You trust me now
You understand

So what's the big deal?
I'm an animal
I'm an animal
I'm an animal

I am vibrating at the speed of light


Lyrics submitted by Relinquo1

"Animal" as written by Mike Mills Michael Stipe

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

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Animal song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • +1
    General CommentIf the tracks on Around the Sun had been like this song or Bad Day, I would have enjoied that record so much more...
    walkabouton November 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Commenti've only heard this song once (i wish i owned in time, but i dont) so my meaning might be wrong. i think its about how people act like animals instead of human beings sometimes.
    epp88on June 05, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI recon its about the fact that everyone has such a big issue with people that are slightly 'different' to your average joe, and how this affects Michael, because of being gay. Good song.
    Swizz*on November 07, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI agree ^_^
    punk_pwincesson December 06, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIn In Time, it says it was a completely meaningless song written spontaniously in about ten minuets.
    Haha. You're all wrong, I rein supreeme!
    ...anyway, does anyone know what's being said in the background when they're changing "I'm an animal..."?
    themopo976on July 29, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThe answer landed on my rooftop. Whoa.
    The future and the truth on my rooftop. Whoa.
    The future is calling me to work it out.
    Whoa.
    Tomeron January 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Commentedit*
    It's calling me to work it out.
    Tomeron January 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentFor ten minutes, this poem is surely a masterwork within the constraints of being meaningless and being fleetly penned.

    This song rules...I've always loved "Losing My Religion", this takes maybe a close second for how much it rules.
    OpinionHeadon June 20, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song talks about the fact we are animals
    Wild Wolfon March 13, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentYeah it's "humans are animals" and, I think, a reference to quantum physics changing our perception of reality, yet at the same time we're still animals, so the meaning of quantum physics is fairly irrelevant. So you have "I'm vibrating at the speed of light" (as is everything) and "Tell me I'm a tourist in the fourth dimension" leading to "So what's the big deal? I'm an animal." Whatever, the song rocks ;o)
    charliereayon April 12, 2008   Link

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