He reuses the verse melody from the previous album's "Dirty Little Religion", the topics of the verses are all over the place, and he packs too many words into one line (goes to show...) and too few in another (it's pretty hard to find), and rhymes "Henley Regatta" with "Persona non grata", but gets away with it all as only he could.
Why do all my friends now want to be your lovers?
Your family got bigger when they thought you were rich
And now like maniacs
They scratch your back
Even when it doesn't itch
I want to figure it all
I want to figure it all out
I want to save you from
Save you from all that's vain
Save you from the things that cause us pain
'Cause it's an animal city
It's a cannibal world
So be obedient, don't argue
Some are ready to bite you
It's an animal city
It's a cannibal world
So be obedient, don't argue
Some are ready to bite you, my love
They believe you now have everything you wanted
And once you have become a star
You've got no right to bitch
But someday when you fail
They'll put you on sale
And buy you by the inch
But you're the real deal
And 'real' is your middle name
You know, sometimes I feel
Got to earn every breath we take, baby
Never mind the rules we break
'Cause it's an animal city
It's a cannibal world
So be obedient, don't argue
Some are ready to bite you
It's an animal city
It's a cannibal world
So be obedient, don't argue
Some are ready to rip you right off
With you I feel safe
There's nothing to fear from us
Away from the fangs, the fangs of the world
I may be a coward, but you are brave
And nothing seems so dangerous
'Cause it's an animal city
It's a cannibal world
So be obedient, don't argue
Some are ready to bite you
It's an animal city
It's a cannibal world
So be obedient, don't argue
Some are ready to rip you right off
Cannibal world
Cannibal world
Cannibal world
Cannibal world
So be obedient, don't argue
Some are ready to bite you, my love
Your family got bigger when they thought you were rich
And now like maniacs
They scratch your back
Even when it doesn't itch
I want to figure it all
I want to figure it all out
I want to save you from
Save you from all that's vain
Save you from the things that cause us pain
'Cause it's an animal city
It's a cannibal world
So be obedient, don't argue
Some are ready to bite you
It's an animal city
It's a cannibal world
So be obedient, don't argue
Some are ready to bite you, my love
They believe you now have everything you wanted
And once you have become a star
You've got no right to bitch
But someday when you fail
They'll put you on sale
And buy you by the inch
But you're the real deal
And 'real' is your middle name
You know, sometimes I feel
Got to earn every breath we take, baby
Never mind the rules we break
'Cause it's an animal city
It's a cannibal world
So be obedient, don't argue
Some are ready to bite you
It's an animal city
It's a cannibal world
So be obedient, don't argue
Some are ready to rip you right off
With you I feel safe
There's nothing to fear from us
Away from the fangs, the fangs of the world
I may be a coward, but you are brave
And nothing seems so dangerous
'Cause it's an animal city
It's a cannibal world
So be obedient, don't argue
Some are ready to bite you
It's an animal city
It's a cannibal world
So be obedient, don't argue
Some are ready to rip you right off
Cannibal world
Cannibal world
Cannibal world
Cannibal world
So be obedient, don't argue
Some are ready to bite you, my love
Lyrics submitted by Mechilah68
Animal City Lyrics as written by Shakira Mebarak Luis Fernando Ochoa
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
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In the first verse, she obviously singing about people receiving better treatment when they have fame and fortune. Then, she goes on to sing that she wants to prevent the "famous" person from getting a big head.
In the chorus she goes on to say that people only look out for themselves and for ways to get ahead even if it means stepping on others. That's what she means by "Some are ready to bite you"
"They believe you now have everything you wanted And once you have become a star You've got no right to bitch" These lines are about the general public. People think that celebrities have a perfect life and no room to complain. In the next three lines, she tells about how when a celebrity begins to fail or goes on a downward cycle, people will gossip and "feed" from that news.
In the next lines she reassures the "famous" person; she tells him/her that they are not fake or "vain" like the other celebrities or industry insiders. Then, she tells of how cutthroat the industry is and that you need to earn your fame. This was at a time when people began to become famous for being famous. These people always lose their fame and/or respect quicker than people whose fame comes from their talent. Which makes this song relevant even now.
The last verse is just about how she feels safe with her friend, who is still grounded.
This song is about the zoo.. you've gotta be careful! it can be dangerous! Just look at those Kangeroo's... total venom building up.. ready to jump you and shove you in their pouch..!!
This song is basically about the effects fame can have on human nature, and how this behavior is not that of civilized people but a more animalistic nature. Shakira goes on to say that when people see fame in someone they will try to go to any extent to be closely associated with this person, such as scratching the back of the famous person. Shakira's intent is to shelter her lover from these type of people, from all that's vain because in fact these people are just vain and not truly themselves. On top of this Shakira points out people idea that once you have achieved some sort of success people believe you have it made and there is no reason to complain, also that when famous, others are there for you but once you do fail then they are going to basically eat you alive and criticize you. Shakira want to stay close to her lover having him protect her as she protects him as well. This song is very unique as I feel not many artist go beyond the typical mushy love song, and she manages to do it while providing a great dance/rock song with spanish (as in Spain spanish) flamenco influence and jungle sounds to empower her message.
i completly agree, god when i heard this song on cd soon as i bought it i litterally prayed it hit radio stations but nope ...not at all ..surprise surprise lol...i wanted it to cuz i thought we needed that newer (obviously great ) sound on the air...too much rap about nothing on the radio these day .
I'm surprised there's only one comment [before mine] to this song. I actually find this song very..[not to sound cliche] catchy.
And I agree with jac_2500, the effects of fame. sigh
i think the message on the song is pretty clear. what i think is quite awesome is the fact that, as jac_2500 said, it is not a typical love song that simply says i love you, this has one really cool message. and i looove those jungle sounds at the end XD
oh, also, i think that her composition abilities in english have increased a lot. its not that she her lyrics were not good on laundry service, but she is obviously gettin better
I think Jac has hit the meaning spot on. This is truly a song, as are the majority of her songs, that speaks volumes about various ideas while avoiding the standard popular music cliches.