In August 2014, American pop rockers from the Maroon 5 group presented their fifth studio album to the public, which was released under the simple name V. One of the tracks on the disc was the composition Animals, which achieved significant success in the charts of many countries.
Her popularity was largely facilitated by a provocative clip with a naked Adam Levine and his wife. But we will talk about the video a little lower, and first a few words about the history of the creation and recording of the song.
The story and meaning of the song Animals – Maroon 5
Adam Levine co-wrote Animals with American rapper Benny Blanco and Swedish musician Karl Schuster alias Shellback (who also produced the record).
Apparently, in the text of the composition, the protagonist refers to an ex-girlfriend, for whom he still feels, if not love, then passion for sure. Drawing analogies with the hunting habits of predators, he claims that he will track down and find the object of desire. What he is going to do with her next is not difficult to guess.
The main idea of the song seems to be this: sexual desire arises at the level of instincts, drowns out the voice of reason and awakens animals in us, so we cannot resist it (you can express your thoughts about the essence of the track in the comments).
Give your opinion in the comments what the song Animals by Maroon 5 is about. Let’s discuss the meaning of the song.
Release and achievements
On August 21, 2014, an excerpt from the song was featured in an advertisement for Kia. Then Animals was made available for free download on the official website of the Korean car manufacturer for some time. A little later, the composition with text video appeared on Vevo. And on August 25, it was released as the second single from the album “V”.
The track rose to the top of the charts in different countries. It topped the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 and peaked at number three on the Hot 100.
Later remixes featuring J.Cole and Big Boi were recorded.
Animals – Maroon 5 Video
The music video for Animals was directed by Samuel Baier, who previously collaborated with Maroon 5 on the video for their song Payphone. In the stylish video, Adam Levine plays a maniac working in a slaughterhouse. His thoughts are taken over by a sexy butcher shop visitor, and he starts stalking the girl (played by Levina’s wife, model Behati Prinsloo). If you haven’t seen the clip, be sure to check it out. I wonder your opinion about the scene with the naked protagonists covered in blood.
Of course, because of the video, the group was attacked by various public organizations, journalists and ordinary listeners. Representatives of RAINN, who are fighting against sexual crimes, were especially outraged. Critics accused the musicians of promoting violence and other sins, which only fueled public interest in Animals.
Interesting Facts
- The rest of the band members also appear in the video. They play the roles of musicians on the nightclub stage.
Animals Lyrics by Maroon 5
chorus:
Baby I’m preying on you tonight
Hunt you down eat you alive
Just like animals
animals
like animals
Maybe you think you can hide
I can smell your scent for miles
Just like animals
animals
like animals
Baby I’m
So what are you trying to do to me
It’s like we can’t stop, we’re enemies
But we get along when I’m inside you
You’re like a drug that’s killing me
I cut you out entirely
But I get so high when I’m inside you
Pre-Chorus:
Yeah you can start over you can run free
You can find other fish in the sea
You can pretend it’s meant to be
But you can’t stay away from me
I can still hear you making that sound
Taking me down rolling on the ground
You can pretend that it was me
But no
Chorus
So if I run it’s not enough
You’re still in my head forever stuck
So you can do what you wanna do
I love your lies I’ll eat ’em up
But don’t deny the animal
That comes alive when I’m inside you
Pre-Chorus
Chorus
Don’t tell no lie, lie lie lie
You can’t deny, ny ny ny
The beast inside, side side side
Yeah yeah yeah
No girl don’t lie, lie lie lie (No girl don’t lie)
You can’t deny, ny ny ny (You can’t deny)
The beast inside, side side side
Yeah yeah yeah
Chorus
Don’t tell no lie, lie lie lie
You can’t deny, ny ny ny
The beast inside, side side side
Yeah yeah yeah
No girl don’t lie, lie lie lie (No girl don’t lie)
You can’t deny, ny ny ny (You can’t deny)
The beast inside, side side side
Yeah yeah yeah
Lyrics Animals by Maroon 5 Alternate
Chorus:
Baby, today I’m hunting you
I’ll hunt you down and eat you alive
Just like animals
animals,
like beasts
Maybe you think you’ll hide
But I can smell you from miles away
Just like animals
animals,
like beasts
Baby, I…
What are you trying to do to me
Seems like we can’t stop, we’re enemies
But we get along well when I’m in you
You’re like a drug that’s killing me
I will get rid of you completely
But when I’m in you I get high
Pre-chorus:
You can start over, you can safely run away
You can find other fish in the sea
You can pretend it was meant to be
But you can’t keep away from me
I still hear you scream
Knocked me down, knocked me to the ground
You can pretend it was me
But no…
Chorus
Even if I run, it won’t be enough
You will always occupy my thoughts
You can do whatever you want
I love your lies, I will swallow them
But don’t deny the beast
that wakes up when I’m in you
pre-chorus
Chorus
Don’t lie to me, don’t lie, don’t lie, don’t lie
You can’t deny, no no no
The beast inside, inside, inside, inside
Yes Yes Yes
No baby, don’t lie, don’t lie, don’t lie
You can’t deny, no no no
The beast inside, inside, inside, inside
Yes Yes Yes
Chorus
Don’t lie to me, don’t lie, don’t lie, don’t lie
You can’t deny, no no no
The beast inside, inside, inside, inside
Yes Yes Yes
No baby, don’t lie, don’t lie, don’t lie
You can’t deny, no no no
The beast inside, inside, inside, inside
Yes Yes Yes
Song quote
…there is nothing “alternative” to showing women being harassed, harassed, raped or killed, so that’s what happens every damn day.
Jessica Valenti, The Guardian (about the Animals video)
