Wildlife Dictionary

Song Meaning

Garland Jeffreys's "Wildlife Dictionary" is a study in obsession, framing desire as an almost academic pursuit. The lyrics paint a picture of someone utterly consumed by another person, to the point where they've become a subject of intense, almost scientific, scrutiny. This isn't a simple crush; it's a deep dive into the 'wildlife' of another's being, attempting to decode their essence. The recurring line, "To know the meaning of the word / Is just my obsession," reveals the core of the song's meaning: a relentless need to understand and define the object of affection. The phrase "wildlife dictionary" itself is a potent metaphor. It suggests that the person being studied is unpredictable, untamed, and perhaps even a little dangerous. The singer pores over them like a researcher studying an exotic species. The repeated line "You're like an animal on the vine / You're in my sanctuary" highlights the tension between admiration and a desire for control. The sanctuary implies a protected space, but also a confined one, suggesting a complex relationship dynamic where the singer both cherishes and perhaps unconsciously seeks to possess the other person. Ultimately, "Wildlife Dictionary" explores the intoxicating and sometimes unsettling nature of infatuation. The repetition of "wildlife, wildlife" underscores the primal, almost instinctual nature of the attraction. The lines "It's been so hard to tell you / What's on my mind" suggest a vulnerability beneath the surface of the obsessive study, hinting at the fear of rejection or the inability to articulate the depth of feeling. Jeffreys uses the 'wildlife dictionary' concept to illustrate a universal human experience: the overwhelming desire to truly know and understand another person, even when that desire borders on the irrational.