Animals – Maroon 5

“Animals,” released by Maroon 5 in 2014 as part of their fifth studio album, “V”, stands out as one of the band’s more provocative and intense tracks. The song, co-written by frontman Adam Levine along with Benny Blanco and Shellback, explores themes of raw desire, obsession, and the primal instincts that drive human behavior. While Maroon 5 is widely known for their catchy pop-rock tunes, “Animals” marked a departure into darker thematic territory, both lyrically and visually. With its distinctive blend of seductive, animalistic energy and a compelling music video, the song captured attention for its haunting and raw portrayal of lust.

The Song’s Theme: A Primal Obsession
The lyrics of “Animals” immediately establish the song’s central theme—an intense, almost predatory infatuation. Adam Levine’s vocals depict a sense of relentless pursuit, with lines like “Baby, I’m preying on you tonight / Hunt you down, eat you alive” evoking the metaphor of a predator chasing its prey. The song paints a picture of someone consumed by an overwhelming obsession, unable to control their desires. The primal nature of these emotions is likened to the behavior of animals, who act on instinct and hunger rather than rational thought.

While the metaphor of humans as animals has been explored in art and literature for centuries, Maroon 5 takes it a step further by pairing these lyrics with a driving, pulsating beat that amplifies the sense of urgency. The repetition of the chorus—“Like animals, animals, like animals-mals”—reinforces the uncontrollable nature of the singer’s desires, as if he is trapped in an endless cycle of pursuit.

This song is not just about desire, however; it also delves into themes of obsession and possession. Lyrics like “But you can’t stay away from me” suggest a toxic relationship dynamic, where boundaries are blurred and the lines between love and obsession are unclear. It’s a reflection of the darker side of attraction, where passion can turn into something more dangerous and destructive.

The Music: Seductive and Aggressive
Musically, “Animals” complements its lyrical content with an arrangement that feels as raw and primal as the song’s themes. The track opens with soft, high-pitched vocal effects that create an eerie atmosphere before transitioning into a steady, infectious beat. Adam Levine’s falsetto in the verses contrasts sharply with the more aggressive tone of the chorus, mirroring the duality of the song’s themes: the seduction versus the hunt.

The production, helmed by Shellback and Benny Blanco, ensures that the song maintains a sense of urgency throughout. The instrumentation, particularly the drum beat, is almost tribal in nature, reinforcing the animalistic undertones of the lyrics. The driving rhythm is unrelenting, just like the pursuit described in the song. Levine’s distinctive voice, alternating between smooth falsetto and a more guttural delivery, perfectly captures the tension between control and abandon.

The combination of Levine’s seductive vocal performance and the song’s intense production creates a feeling of being caught in a web of desire and obsession, much like the characters portrayed in the lyrics. The result is a song that feels both hypnotic and dangerous, pulling listeners into its dark, primal world.

The Controversial Music Video: A Visual Manifestation of Desire
If the song itself felt dark and intense, the official music video for “Animals” took it to another level, sparking controversy and debate. Directed by Samuel Bayer, the video features Adam Levine as a butcher who becomes obsessed with a woman, played by Behati Prinsloo, who happens to be Levine’s real-life wife. The video’s visuals are graphic and unsettling, depicting Levine stalking Prinsloo’s character, photographing her, and ultimately imagining himself covered in blood alongside her.

The use of blood and raw meat throughout the video draws a direct parallel to the song’s animalistic themes. Levine is shown inside a butcher shop, slicing meat while fixating on Prinsloo from afar, blurring the lines between his physical desire and his predatory instincts. As the video progresses, the imagery becomes more explicit, culminating in a disturbing fantasy sequence where both Levine and Prinsloo are covered in blood, entwined together in a twisted dance of passion and violence.

The video sparked immediate backlash, with some critics arguing that it glamorized stalking and abusive behavior. The depiction of obsession in the video, combined with the sexualized imagery, led to concerns that the video sent a dangerous message, particularly to younger audiences. Some felt that the portrayal of Levine as a predator crossed a line, even if it was intended to be metaphorical.

However, others praised the video for its artistic boldness, noting that it effectively captured the raw emotion and intensity of the song’s themes. The use of disturbing, visceral imagery served to enhance the song’s exploration of the darker aspects of desire, making it a memorable and provocative visual accompaniment.

Critical and Commercial Reception
“Animals” was a commercial success, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and receiving significant airplay on both pop and rock radio stations. Its infectious hook and seductive energy made it a favorite on the charts, and it became one of Maroon 5’s biggest hits. The song’s success was further boosted by its provocative music video, which, despite the controversy, garnered millions of views on YouTube and became a topic of discussion across social media platforms.

Critics had mixed reactions to “Animals.” While some praised the song’s catchy beat and Levine’s strong vocal performance, others felt that the lyrics and video were too disturbing, particularly in their portrayal of obsession and stalking. However, the song’s boldness in exploring these themes ensured that it remained a conversation piece, and it demonstrated Maroon 5’s willingness to push boundaries and experiment with darker subject matter.

Conclusion: A Dark, Seductive Anthem
Maroon 5’s “Animals” stands as a unique entry in the band’s discography, offering a darker, more intense exploration of desire, obsession, and the primal instincts that drive human behavior. The song’s blend of seductive lyrics, pulsating production, and provocative visuals made it both a commercial success and a source of controversy. While the song’s themes may not appeal to everyone, there’s no denying that “Animals” left a lasting impact on both the music world and popular culture.

With its infectious beat, powerful vocals, and unflinching exploration of the darker sides of desire, “Animals” remains one of Maroon 5’s most memorable and talked-about songs to date.

Baby, I’m preying on you tonight
Hunt you down eat you alive
Just like animals
Animals
Like animals-mals
Maybe you think that you can hide
I can smell your scent for miles
Just like animals
Animals
Like animals-mals
Baby I’m
So what 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, eh
You’re like a drug that’s killing me
I cut you out entirely
But I get so high when I’m inside you
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, oh
Baby, I’m preying on you tonight
Hunt you down eat you alive
Just like animals
Animals
Like animals
Maybe you think that you can hide
I can smell your scent for miles
Just like animals
Animals
Like animals-mals
Baby, I’m
So if I run it’s not enough
You’re still in my head forever stuck
So you can do what you wanna do, eh
I love your lies I’ll eat ’em up
But don’t deny the animal
That comes alive when I’m inside you
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, oh
Baby I’m preying on you tonight
Hunt you down eat you alive
Just like animals
Animals
Like animals-mals
Maybe you think that you can hide
I can smell your scent for miles
Just like animals
Animals
Like animals-mals
Baby, I’m
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
Yo
Whoa
Whoa
Just like animals
Animals
Like animals-mals
Just like animals (yeah)
Animals (yeah)
Like animals-mals (yeah)
Ow
Baby I’m preying on you tonight
Hunt you down eat you alive
Just like animals
Animals
Like animals-mals
Maybe you think that you can hide
I can smell your scent for miles
Just like animals
Animals
Like animals-mals
Baby I’m
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