Animals (song)
| Muse song | |
|---|---|
| Name | Animals |
| Album/single | The 2nd Law |
| Length | 4:23 |
| Alternative titles | - |
| First live performance | 20th September 2012 |
| Latest live performance | 30th September 2012 |
| Recorded | 2011-2012 |
| Writer/composer | Matthew Bellamy |
| Producer | Muse |
| Song Nav | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Follow Me | < | Animals | > | Explorers |
Description
In an NME article the song was described as being "flamenco-flecked." When earlier describing the album on Twitter, Matt was possibly referring to 'Animals' as 'face melting metal flamenco cowboy psychedelia.'
'Animals' is about economies collapsing under the weight of stock market savagery, of industries desperate to "advertise, franchise… kill the competition," and of the greed of bankers who Matt claims should "kill [themselves]." Matt says: "This song is conjuring up the rawest form of that feeling of 'look what humans are capable of doing, it's shocking.'"[1]
According to Jeuxactu, a French magazine, the song has a fast beat, and while heavy riffs seem expected, the song has a simple, short guitar solo. [2]
'Animals' is Muse's first full song written in 5/4 time signature (the outro of Agitated is also in 5/4). 'Animals' also features Muse's first use of polyrhythms, where in the final section of the song, the Drums have a 4/4 time signature, while the remainder of the instruments continue with a 5/4 time signature. The song closes with screams, calls, bells and applause in the midst of the stock market.
Matt said in an interview with 1Radio that this song was influenced by a Queens of the Stone Age song that has a 5/4 time signature (Most likely Hangin' Tree). He also said Animals is the hardest song to play live off The 2nd Law due to having to play lead guitar and sing at the same time.
The piano riff bears similarity to Exile Vilify by The National.
This song has been compared to flamenco-guitar artists and Queens of the Stone Age.
Information
The name of this working title song was shown on a photo posted by the Muse account on Twitter.[3]
Lyrics
Animal You’re an animal, Don’t take anything less.
Out of control. You’re out of control, Strike those in distress.
Analyse Advertise Expand Bend more rules, Buy yourself an island.
Animals We’re animals, Buy when blood is on the street.
Out of control. We’re out of control, Crush those who beg at your feet. Analyse Franchise Spread out Kill the competition, And buy yourself an ocean.
Amortise Downsize Lay off Kill yourself, Come on and do us all a favour.
(Wall street trading floor samples)
References
- ↑ http://www.muselive.com/index.php?m=single&id=6747
- ↑ http://www.muselive.com/forums.php?m=posts&q=52987&d=0
- ↑ Muse account. (2012-03-01). Picture posted on Muse's twitter. Twitter. Retrieved 2012-03-01.