Strange Animals

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of elusive beings, referred to as "strange animals," that defy easy definition or control. They are described as "too complex to be tamed, too great to be grasped," with a "wonder and beauty" that can't be put into words. This inherent unknowability creates a sense of mystery and potential danger, as the narrator admits, "Can't see what's behind those wild animal clothes." The central tension arises from the narrator's desire to understand and connect with these "strange animals," even as they acknowledge the impossibility of truly capturing their essence. There's a push and pull between wanting to "hold you" and recognizing the risk of getting "too near," fearing that the other might "tear open the heart on my sleeve." This internal conflict highlights the frustration of encountering something profoundly different and the inherent vulnerability in attempting to define it. The repeated phrase "you're one strange animal, I am one too" is a crucial turning point. It shifts the focus from observing an external "other" to recognizing a shared condition of being complex and hard to define. The "big make-believe" suggests that our attempts to label and categorize ourselves and others are ultimately artificial constructs, and that everyone, in their own way, is a "strange animal."